Chapter 54 Strange style
Imperial City, Qianqing Palace, in the Imperial Study Room.
In front of the imperial court, Emperor Yongkang, dressed in an apricot-yellow dragon robe, sat upright and reviewed the memorials. The palace maids and eunuchs standing there looked respectful and did not dare to make a sound, appearing silent.
After a while, Emperor Yongkang, who was concentrating on the memorial, noticed the movement outside the palace. He looked over and saw the person coming. His expression softened slightly and he said with a smile: "The eighth brother is here."
The person who came was none other than King Zhongshun. As Emperor Yongkang's right-hand man, he was one of the few people who could enter the imperial study without any special qualifications.
King Zhongshun held a book in his hand, bowed and said: "My brother pays homage to my brother."
After the ceremony, King Zhongshun respectfully handed over the note and said in a clear voice: "Brother Emperor, this is the account that the Ministry of Accounts has called for to pay back the banknotes in recent days. Please take a look at it."
The eunuch wisely stepped forward to take it, carefully handed the document to Emperor Yongkang's imperial desk, and then bowed and stepped back.
Emperor Yongkang looked at the paper and his expression changed slightly. It had been more than a month since the Ministry of Accounts had called for payment of silver arrears. He knew that the Beijing Palace responded positively, but he was not sure of the specific effect, but it would definitely not be too bad.
With anticipation, Emperor Yongkang picked up the brochure and read it. After reading the contents of the brochure, Emperor Yongkang nodded lightly and said, "Two million taels have been paid. Not bad. It seems that Xiaoliu has contributed a lot."
According to statistics from the Ministry of Household Affairs, the treasury silver owed by ministers and princes and nobles is about 500 million taels. In the past, there was basically no harvest, but this time there was a good harvest, about [-]%, and this time It is better to repay it in installments, and it will be nearly [-]% in the next year, which is already very good, much better than he expected. It seems that Shuirou is not perfunctory with him.
King Zhongshun groaned after hearing the words, and said in a clear voice: "Brother Emperor, this time Xiaoliu not only contributed a lot, but also used all his strength. He strictly ordered his subordinates to pay [-]% in full. Those who cannot pay will be sold off. Nowadays, there are many people selling calligraphy, painting and silverware on the streets of Beijing, which is quite lively."
"Oh." Emperor Yongkang looked slightly surprised when he heard this. You should know that Shui Xiong never paid attention to the government affairs. Even if he was asked to help him, it was just a shirk. How could he work so hard?
"Then how come the arrears of silver to be paid are only 200 million taels?"
Emperor Yongkang knew that most of the nobles in the capital were related to the power of the Beijing Prince's Palace. If it was true as King Zhongshun said, how could it only be a mere 200 million taels, or even more than double it.
King Zhongshun said respectfully: "Brother, I don't know. Only some of the nobles in the capital have paid the money they owe. Most of them are still crying for poverty. I, my brother, and others have no way to do anything."
Although it is a call to pay the owed money, there are many constraints. It cannot be forced. It can only be persuaded with good words, but the effect is very little.
Emperor Yongkang frowned when he heard this. He understood what King Zhongshun meant. The Beijing Palace expressed its position, but not many responded. What is going on? Logically speaking, this should not be the case. Could it be that Xiaoliu is playing something? Trick? As a close confidant of Emperor Yongkang, King Zhongshun saw the emperor's gloomy expression and immediately understood that this was another episode of suspicion. Thinking that Shuirong was their flesh and blood brother, he explained: "Brother, in fact, most of the people in the Beijing Prince's Palace are The old tribe that followed the old King Beijing and Emperor Gaozu to conquer the world earlier. A hundred years later, the head of the family has changed. There is no so-called nostalgia for the old relationship. In the final analysis, it is just that the palace of Beijing is huge, and I want to enjoy the shade under the big tree. Now that the big trees don’t protect us from the wind and rain, we naturally have different thoughts.”
After saying that, King Zhongshun raised his eyes and glanced at Emperor Yongkang, and said cautiously: "Besides, Xiao Liu is an adopted child after all, and he has just taken over as the King of Beijing County, so how can he have prestige?"
Emperor Yongkang started to care after hearing this. According to what King Zhongshun said, it was indeed reasonable. Normally, the nobles were led by the Prince of Beijing, but once their interests were touched, they changed their attitude. Thinking about it carefully, Beijing The current power of the palace is somewhat superficial.
After pondering for a moment, Emperor Yongkang asked: "What is Xiao Liu's attitude towards those honorable nobles who do not pay their arrears?"
King Zhongshun heard this and reported: "As far as I know, Xiaoliu has made a statement to the outside world that he will not pay the money owed to the mansion. If something happens in the future, don't look for him."
Emperor Yongkang chuckled. Judging from Shui Rong's attitude, he was abandoning all the disobedient old troops, which seemed like he was cutting off his own arm.
And at this time, Emperor Yongkang also suddenly realized that he was surprised that Shuirong, an idle person, would take the initiative to pay attention to the matter of payment. It turned out to be intentional. The current situation was probably shown to him.
However, Emperor Yongkang did not blame him. After all, this situation was good for both Emperor Yongkang and Shui Rong. It was a good story that brothers and sisters respected each other, and the Daming Palace would also calm down.
Thinking of this, Emperor Yongkang said nothing more and waved his hand: "The Ministry of Household Affairs will take care of the matter of collecting the arrears. You can charge as much as you can, but don't force it too much and make a joke."
After hearing this, King Zhongshun understood clearly that he was afraid of causing unnecessary trouble by making too much noise. Moreover, the Prince of Beijing had expressed its position this time, and Emperor Yongkang looked much better.
Thinking of this, King Zhongshun cupped his hands and said, "My brother understands."
Emperor Yongkang nodded gently and said that King Zhongshun was doing the work. He was very relieved.
"Heaven and Earth", Qian Yue lives.
There are blazing charcoal pots burning in all four corners of the room to dispel the coldness of winter.
Du Yuejiao was scalding the wine with her bare hands. A light orange-red dress covered the gully, revealing only a little of her white neck.
After all, it is winter, and if it is too cool, even with a charcoal basin, the body cannot bear it.
However, Shui Xiong still thinks that the girl's skin looks better when she wears something Yuejiao and Shui Rong poured a cup of hot wine, looked at Shui Rong who was sitting peacefully with full eyes, and couldn't help but asked curiously: "Why does the young man have time to come to the slave's house today?"
Generally speaking, Shui Rong rarely came to the "heaven and earth", but today's sudden visit made her a little surprised and happy.
Shui Rong took a sip from the wine cup, and a warm current passed through his stomach, making his body warm.
Faced with Du Yuejiao's inquiry, Shui Rong did not answer immediately. He knew that about one-third of the former Beijing Palace's old department responded to the Ministry of Revenue's reminder to pay back the arrears. This was enough, so he did not pay too much attention to it. , I have been staying in the palace for a long time, and it is boring for a long time, so I sent someone to invite Feng Ziying to come here to have wine and listen to music.
And there are so many gentle and lovely ones, and by the way, take a look at this strange and charming little girl.
Of course, Shui Rong didn't say this clearly, so he said casually: "I have nothing to do. I made an appointment with Ziying to have wine and listen to music. I'd like to ask Miss Du to make arrangements. I'll pay for the tea and water required."
Although "Heaven and Earth" is your own property, since you are here to be free, you still have to give money. This means that you should distinguish between public and private affairs, and you should take care of your own business.
When Du Yuejiao heard this, she pursed her lips and smiled, narrowed her eyebrows, and said with a smile: "Young gentleman wants to listen to the music. If you don't mind it, I will make a fool of myself. I also want to earn this money!"
Shui Rong raised his eyebrows slightly when he heard this, looked at Du Yuejiao, who looked slightly joking, and said in a clear voice: "Miss Du has no worries about food and clothing, and you also value the money? And you are the curator, and you can also perform arts?"
It should be noted that Du Yuejiao is the director of "Heaven and Earth" and is responsible for the affairs of the guild hall. All food and clothing expenses are paid for by the guild hall, so there is nothing missing.
Moreover, as Du Yuejiao was the curator and not a performer, she came to join in the fun at this time, probably just to make fun of him.
Du Yuejiao chuckled lightly, supported her head with her jade hands, looked at Shui Rong with her clear eyes, and said in a clear voice: "Others, the slave family, naturally won't, but the young man wants to hear it, and the slave family is absolutely willing."
Look at what people say, it feels good to hear it.
Shui Rong groaned and said: "Miss Du is the "number one in the capital", how can I dislike it? I just want to listen to an opera today, so I'd like to trouble Miss Du to arrange it."
The girls in "Heaven and Earth" basically all have talents. Some are good at poetry, some are good at music, and some are good at opera. They can satisfy the preferences of all kinds of guests.
Shui Rong wanted to listen to opera today, but didn't want to listen to other people. He also remembered the first meeting with Du Yuejiao, which was still fresh in his memory.
Du Yuejiao raised her eyebrows slightly when she heard that, and looked at her jade hands with white wrists and red skin with her bright apricot eyes. Her jade face looked slightly resentful and said: "Hey, that's right. After all, we are old and yellow, and our skills are not as good as those of others." , it’s natural for the young man to like the new and hate the old.”
Shui Rong's mouth twitched slightly when he heard this. Why do you like the new and hate the old? Is this considered PUA?And what does this little girl mean? Why are there so many ambiguities in words? Are you kidding? Each one has its merits. He has always treated everyone equally. If you don't believe me, ask Yingluo and Keqing if he has ever compared them.
But this taste is right. Du Yuejiao is always so ambiguous in her words, which makes people feel itchy when choosing her. This is a completely different feeling from Keqing and Yingluo.
To be honest, facing a woman with such colorful charms as Du Yuejiao can always evoke the most primitive throbbing.
It's just that Shui Rong has known Du Yuejiao for a long time and knows a little bit about him. This girl's words have always been frivolous, and most likely she is joking. In short, she is teasing him. If she really wants to be serious, this girl The skin has to be withdrawn again to whet people's appetite.
Seeing Shui Rong staring at her hand without saying a word, Du Yuejiao's cheeks were slightly drunk, her ears were as hot as fire, her bright eyes blinked at Shui Rong, she shook her hand lightly and said, "Why, I want to give it a try, young man" ?”
Shui Rong raised his eyebrows slightly when he saw this. Xiao Niangpi was just talking about skills, nothing else. Involuntarily, Shui Rong looked at the jade hand hanging in the air, the tips of the fingers were like bamboo shoots, and the wrist was like a white lotus root.
Well, it's not bad compared to Ke Qing, and Du Yuejiao has always been known as "the best in the capital", so she must be more dexterous than Ke Qing Just as Shui Rong was guessing what Du Yuejiao meant, he suddenly heard a burst of laughter, and saw Du Yuejiao smiling as brightly as a flower, looking at him playfully with her bright apricot eyes, as if making fun of her.
Shui Rong felt a headache when he saw this. He could deal with a well-behaved girl like Ke Qing with ease, but it was really hard for him to deal with the meat-and-vegetarian girl. In short, the girl's rank was too high and Shui Rong couldn't handle it.
Thinking of this, Shui Rong felt that the little girl in front of him was really unpleasant. If you haven't been whipped before, you don't know how powerful it is.
However, Shui Rong just thought about it. He is a gentle gentleman and cannot do dishonest things.
He is not disgusted with Du Yuejiao. Because of his status, everyone who gets along with him will remain respectful. On the contrary, Du Yuejiao speaks easily and makes people's eyes bright. After getting along for a long time, she feels like a confidante. mean.
Moreover, this little girl was just joking, there was nothing wrong with her behavior, and she was not worthy of anything. Instead, she was inferior to others.
At this time, Lian'er came over and saw Shui Rong sitting there. She gave him a gift and turned to report, "Miss, that Mr. Xue Pan is here and is clamoring to see you."
"Xue Pan"?Shui Rong frowned when he heard this, Xue Pan of the Xue family, could it be...
(End of this chapter)