my brother-in-law is the prince

Chapter 444 The Truth Comes Out

Zhu Di pondered for a while, and finally said: "Since that's the case, then as you said, money and food are a huge matter, and what matters is the country, the country, and the foundation of my great Ming."

He bit the word "foundation" hard.

Zhu Di is not the kind of second-generation ancestor, he is the real emperor who conquered the world, and he knows better than anyone that money and food are the most important essence in this world.

"Nowadays, since there are rumors all over the world, it's better to check the situation of Zhejiang Chief Envoy and the situation of Taiping Mansion." Zhu Di continued: "All the ministers have invited Ying, wanting to take on this important task, and there are Why not? Then Yang Qing will be the leader, Hu Qing and Xia Qing will lead the household department to clear the accounts."

After Zhu Di finished speaking, he waved his big hand and said, "That's it."

All the ministers had nothing to say, and they all bowed and retired.

The next day, the newly published article in the Mansion Newspaper became the emperor's decree to thoroughly check the accounts of Yang Rong, a cabinet scholar, Hu Guang, together with Xia Yuanjiren, the Minister of the Ministry of household affairs.

All of a sudden, there was another uproar.

This time, there was a lot of controversy, and the chief envoy of Zhejiang Province gave many people hope.

To a certain extent, this is a reform movement by the chief envoy of Zhejiang under the pressure of the New Deal.

And the effect is good, which is very motivating and inspiring.

The medicine of the New Deal is too strong.

It was so fierce that everyone couldn't bear it, but no one could cover up the illness, so the sugar-coated medicines such as Zhejiang Chief Commissioner became the life-saving straw for many people.

But at this time, Zhang Anshi suddenly criticized the chief envoy of Zhejiang Province, which naturally aroused dissatisfaction among many people.

It's good to have a thorough investigation now.

At least give justice to the chief envoy of Zhejiang.

So the next day, Xia Yuanji, Minister of the Ministry of household affairs, and Yang Rong, a senior scholar, rushed to the chief envoy of Zhejiang Province overnight.

Hu Guang is in charge of contacting Taiping Mansion.

The reason why they mainly go to Zhejiang is because Zhejiang's account is the first to come out, while Taiping Mansion's side has not yet issued the detailed account.

Furthermore, some people were anxious to clarify the accounts of the Chief Envoy of Zhejiang Province. Under such circumstances, Yang Rong and Xia Yuanji could be said to be flying like lightning. After arriving in Hangzhou, they immediately called Jiang Xiu.

When Jiang Xiu was in Hangzhou, she had already heard about the situation of the imperial court, and she had already made preparations. She waited here and asked someone to clean it up in advance. People went to the treasury to check one by one.

This Hangzhou is a land of fish and rice, Yang Rong and Xia Yuanji dare not neglect, after all, they are under the imperial order, so naturally they dare not take a look at the flowers on horseback.

After careful inspection, they were all relieved.

"No problem, every account is clear, and the money and food have really increased." Xia Yuanji looked at Yang Rong and said, "Mr. Yang thinks, is there any doubt?"

Yang Rong shook his head and said: "This time I came here, I have read all the treasuries and accounts, it can be said that there is nothing to criticize."

"That's good." Xia Yuanji said: "Then, does Yang Gong agree that His Highness, Prince of Wuhu County, has ulterior motives in criticizing Zhejiang Chief Envoy?"

Yang Rongdao: "His Royal Highness the King of Wuhu prefects, there is indeed something wrong with Zhejiang's chief envoy."

Xia Yuanji looked closely at Yang Rong and said, "Then the old man wants to impeach Wuhu County King Zhang Anshi by name, would Mr. Yang be willing to sign together?"

Yang Rong thought for a while and said, "Why don't you go back to the capital first, and then make a conclusion after checking the Taiping Mansion?"

"Alright."

The two come and go like the wind.

Before leaving, Jiang Xiu, the governor of Zhejiang, led the local gentry in Hangzhou to see him off one after another.

On this day, there was a drizzle in the sky. In the drizzle, there were hundreds of people rushing here.

Jiang Xiu met Li with Yang Rong and Xia Yuanji.

Xia Yuanji wanted to say a few words of encouragement and comfort.

Then I saw someone sobbing behind Jiang Xiu.

He raised his head, but saw many local sages, all of them wiping away their tears, like resentful wives.

Xia Yuanji knew about these people, he seemed to be suffering, and he knew... This was really pushed to the point where there was no other way, so that now he had to pay for the money and food, and today the Zhejiang Chief Envoy's money and food increased by five into the above situation.

At the moment, he sighed for a while, and said to Jiang Xiu: "You have to live with your life."

He didn't say anything more, and returned to the sedan chair.

Jiang Xiu bowed down, with a sad look, choked up and speechless.

Xia Yuanji pursed his lips tightly, he was touched by such a scene.

He is a scholar who comes from a family of gentry. He knows the shortcomings of these people, but he can empathize with their difficulties.

This time he contributed so much money and food, yet he was criticized by Zhang Anshi. This kind of surprise, fear, and resentment were mixed. If it weren't for the person, how could he have such a sharp feeling?

Immediately, the two returned to Beijing without stopping.

After arriving in the capital, they ran into trouble.

Hu Guang in Taiping Mansion cursed every day.

After Hu Guang arrived at the Taiping Mansion, Zhang Anshi also greeted him personally, and then...pointed to several warehouses. Once the warehouse was opened, there were all account books inside, layer upon layer, piled up like a mountain. Please Hu Guang clean it up slowly.

This clearly means making things difficult for people.

is intentional.

Hu Guang was worried about the general ledger directly given by Zhang Anshi, and he was afraid that it would be handed over to others, so he wanted to handle everything in detail.

But in the end, these account books were enough to make him and the bureaucrats he brought feel like sitting on pins and needles.

He had no choice but to search bit by bit, but the speed was much slower than that of Yang Rong and the others.

Yang Rong and Yang Rong returned to Beijing to reply to the decree, clarifying the amount of money and food provided by the chief envoy of Zhejiang this time. The general meaning is that the accounts are clear, clear at a glance, and there is no false report.

This time, the people of the Chief Envoy of Zhejiang Province have not been apportioned, and the amount paid this year is roughly the same as that of previous years.

Then the increase in taxes is indeed the result of Hidden and some miscellaneous taxes that should have been paid now.

All of a sudden, everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

So ever.

Chaozhong boiled up.

It can be said that the sky is full of gongs and drums, and it is very lively.

Many people make a fuss about it.

Someone criticized Zhang Anshi for slandering the minister.

Someone satirized Zhang An Shisheng jealous.

But in Taiping Mansion, Hu Guang, who locked himself up and checked the account books, began to feel that something was wrong.

This account... more and more, and more and more!

Not only that, new accounts appear at any time.

He kept accumulating the number, and this number... began to slowly exceed his cognition.

So much so that Liu Tang, the head of the household department who came along, also became suspicious.

Finally Liu Tang couldn't bear it anymore and said, "Mr. Hu... this... this is wrong."

Hu Guang's face was a little grim, and he said: "Continue to liquidate, don't worry about it! Also, all the accounts must be checked at the same time, and the treasury must be checked at the same time to ensure that the accounts and the bank in the treasury match."

"But...but..." Liu Tang said with a bitter face, "but now it's 250 million taels, but there's still a lot of money in the back. The current number alone may be compared to... ..."

Hu Guang's face twitched, and he glared at Liu Tang: "The treasury, check it out, is there any problem?"

"There's no problem, they're all right." Liu Tang said, "But if we keep checking..."

Having said that, he lowered his voice: "Maybe...to..."

"What do you want?" Hu Guang's eyes widened.

Hu Guang said with a dejected face: "Maybe...we are not here to check the accounts, but to show merit to the Taiping Mansion."

Hu Guang's face twitched again, and he opened his mouth to say something to brighten up the atmosphere, but his heart was heavy, and the atmosphere was like death.

After a long time, he said with a stiff face: "I am here by order, and I have to check this account. Hey, hurry up."

"Yes, yes." Liu Tang said: "Hu Gong, you said... this amount... will it... will it..."

"Oh, don't talk about it." Hu Guang was in a hurry, and scolded: "Do your own thing."

"Yes, yes, yes." Liu Tang didn't dare to say any more, and went to work obediently.

The number of accounts is too large, and they don't believe Zhang Anshi's fool version of the report, they would rather clean up all the original account books one by one.

Therefore, after more than a full month of busy work, this account settlement barely came to an end.

It's just that they are so obsessed with the investigation, but they don't know that there is already a lot of trouble in the court.

The summer taxes of the other chief envoys have also been settled one after another, more or less, all have increased, the lowest one has also increased by [-]% of the money and food.

In and out of the field, they can be regarded as elated, as if they let out a bad breath.

Every day at the play, some people praised the achievements of the chief envoy of Zhejiang.

Obviously, the more Zhang Anshi criticizes something, the more everyone rushes to praise it.

So, in Qixia, in the capital, and in many places, because of the appearance of Dibao, a new profession appeared in the streets and alleys... newspaper reader.

After all, in this era, there are still many illiterate people, but when the common people are free, they are always bored.

This mansion newspaper has also become an important channel for receiving information to a certain extent.

In Qixia, Zhang Anshi set a precedent by hiring some people to read newspapers in various parts of Taiping Prefecture. The people who read newspapers gave some rice and meat to subsidize their families every month.

So slowly, under the influence of the Taiping Mansion, a large number of such people also appeared in the capital.

People listened to the newspaper and heard that the news was full of praises for Jiang Xiu. Today they praised him for his coolness, and tomorrow they praised him for his outstanding achievements.

As for his official obeisance to the prince's young teacher and becoming the number one political envoy in the world, it is even more deeply rooted in the hearts of the people.

In Wenyuan Pavilion, the court meeting at the end of this month is about to begin.

Yang Rong and Jin Youzi were preparing to go to Chongwen Hall, waiting for the latest residence report.

Now they have also developed the habit of reading the residence newspaper, and they will feel uncomfortable if they don't read it for a day.

After reading it, Jin Youzi smiled and said: "Now this political envoy Jiang Bu is really in the limelight! Who would have expected that His Highness the Prince of Wuhu's attack on him would make him famous instead. You see, today's mansion newspaper In the article, it is an article that praises him for sharing the worries of the king, and for the common people, and even said that the princes and teachers in this area are still underestimated."

Yang Rong smiled and said: "Jin Gong is so envious, does it mean that he also hopes that kid Zhang Anshi will write an article to scold you?"

Instead of being angry, Jin Youzi said: "It seems that I don't have such a blessing. If His Royal Highness Wuhu County is really willing to scold me, I would be very happy."

Yang Rong laughed, but suddenly took a deep look at Jin Youzi, and said, "Jin Gong, this old man has a different understanding of this."

Jin Youzi raised his eyes and said, "I would like to hear the details."

Yang Rongdao: "Jin Gong, this mansion newspaper was printed in Qixia. It can be said that it is closely related to Zhang Anshi. Although all articles need to be checked by the Secretary of General Administration in the palace, don't you think that this mansion newspaper Isn't it a little abnormal that there are articles praising Jiang Xiu every day?"

"Theoretically speaking, Zhang Anshi also has some right to speak. Even if some official articles of the court have to be published, isn't it unusual to have several articles every day?"

Jin Youzi is such a smart person, he suddenly understood something.

He suddenly gave Yang Rong a meaningful look: "Then Yang Gong means..."

Yang Rong smiled and said: "For so many years, the old man has figured out one thing, that is... people who want to take advantage of Zhang Anshi, except for His Majesty, there is really no one in the world who can really benefit from him Yes. Let’s go, go to court.”

Jin Youzi was stunned for a moment, but he immediately understood something. He shook his head and said, "Hey... Hu Gong's account should be settled."

While talking, Jin Youzi hurriedly followed Yang Rong's footsteps, and the two of them entered the court without saying anything more.

At this time, in the Chongwen Hall, Zhu Di had ascended to his seat and was sitting steadily.

All the officials gathered and saluted together.

Zhu Di said: "Pingshen."

He wandered his eyes, and said slowly: "Hu Qing hasn't replied yet?"

Yang Rong came out of the shift and said: "Your Majesty, Mr. Hu has been ordered to investigate the Taiping Mansion, but he has not returned so far, and there is a vacancy today."

Zhu Di nodded, and then, his eyes fell on Zhang Anshi, and said, "Zhang Qing, have you read the residence newspaper?"

Zhang Anshi stood up at this time, under the watchful eyes of everyone, Zhang Anshi said: "I have seen it."

Zhu Di said: "Commander Jiang, you really wronged him."

"Yes." Zhang Anshi said in a calm and unhurried manner: "I use the heart of a villain to save the belly of a gentleman. I never thought that Jiang Bu's political envoy not only has outstanding achievements in politics, but also has a clean sleeve. Such a person can be called me. The first minister of the Ming Dynasty. This time, he was able to increase the money and food by a full [-] to [-]%, which is a great achievement that has never been seen in ancient times. I... I am ashamed to be inferior."

Zhu Di: "..."

He felt that Zhang Anshi was a little different today.

This seems to be blowing a little too much, right?

All the officials also looked at Zhang Anshi with strange eyes.

Originally, everyone wanted to use Zhang Anshi's criticism of Jiang Xiu to humiliate Zhang Anshi severely.

But who knew this guy, he was shameless, turned his head, and even boasted about Jiang Xiu.

As a result, the original rhetoric suddenly seemed to lose its purpose.

What I was going to say was blocked in my throat, and the ministers felt very uncomfortable!

I saw Zhang Anshi said again: "Now I have heard many people say that Jiang Xiu has made such great achievements, even if he is appointed as the prince's junior teacher, he has no talent. Such a person, even if he is a minister, or even a minister, is appropriate. Yes. It is really a great fortune for the world to have such a pillar of talent in Ming Dynasty."

Zhu Di coughed, and wanted to say, probably not so well.

But Zhang Anshi said: "If everyone follows this Jiang Xiu, without harming the people, and can increase the tax by [-] to [-]%, my Ming Dynasty will surely create the best of all generations, even the Three Emperors and Five Emperors, but nothing more. .”

Zhu Di became more and more speechless, and couldn't help but said: "Okay, okay, you are officials in the same dynasty as him, and you both have merit."

"Your Majesty." Zhang Anshi said earnestly and earnestly: "What I say comes from the heart, and it is the words of hundreds of officials and people. If Your Majesty doesn't believe it, you can ask all the officials whether they and my ministers are the same. heart of."

After all the officials were surprised, they all had to nod subconsciously.

Zhu Di could only say, "Well..."

Zhang Anshi went on to say: "I thought... such a person must be rewarded heavily, no amount of reward is too much..."

All the officials really couldn't fix it now, they all looked at Zhang Anshi with strange eyes.

Although I feel that Zhang Anshi has spoken out everyone's aspirations, there is always a feeling of... It seems that there is a feeling of unreliability everywhere.

Zhang Anshi said: "Your Majesty..."

Zhang Anshi's word "ah" has a long sound, like killing a pig.

All the ministers jumped up in fright, and their hearts skipped a beat.

Zhu Di: "..."

Fortunately, at this time, someone broke Zhang Anshi's long voice.

But a eunuch hurriedly walked into the hall, and then said: "Report to Your Majesty, Hu Guang, a scholar of Wenyuan Pavilion, will see you."

This voice seemed to wake everyone up suddenly, and the ministers breathed a sigh of relief silently.

Finally... Zhang Anshi can calm down.

Especially Zhu Di, Zhu Di immediately said: "Hurry up, please Hu Qing to see you. Haha, if you really say Cao Cao, Cao Cao will be there."

Zhu Di's voice is like a bell.

Hu Guang, who had been waiting outside the hall for a long time, heard the word Cao Cao, his heart skipped a beat, and he hurriedly entered the hall.

Zhu Di waited for Hu Guang to salute, and said: "Hu Qing, why is it so negligent in checking the accounts of the Taiping Mansion? It has been more than a month, and now you are here to reply to the order?"

Hu Guang was extremely embarrassed. In fact, what Zhu Di meant was, I asked you to investigate the Taiping Mansion, and you still searched so thoroughly. Why... do you have to find something in the Taiping Mansion, are you nitpicking?

Hu Guang was really helpless, so he had to say: "There are too many accounts. I... I really... I really... have no skills at all, but fortunately... I am not disgraceful now."

Zhu Di didn't talk too much, and went straight to the point: "How is it? What's the result so far?"

No one noticed that Hu Guang's face was a little stiff, and he tried his best to use a peaceful voice: "There is no problem with the number, everything is fine."

Zhu Di was a little strange. He took a look at Zhang Anshi, but he didn't expect Zhang Anshi to be so well-behaved!

Zhu Di asked again: "What is the number?"

"Chen...Chen..." Hu Guang felt his throat a little uncomfortable. He didn't want to say it, but he had to say it, but he had no choice but to bite the bullet and said word by word: "This year, the total amount of the Taiping government's silver tax and customs duties... There are... there are...five thousand, ninety-four thousand and thirty-seven thousand taels of silver..."

As soon as this remark came out, it was like a thunderbolt, and the hall was immediately shocked into silence.

Many people think they have heard wrong.

Zhu Di felt even more dizzy, as if his head had been hit hard by Hu Guang.

He blinked his eyes hard, as if this was the only way to get rid of the dizziness.