Funing Hall

Zhao Cong is discussing matters in Chongzheng Hall.

In the Song Dynasty, there was no distinction between cheap and ordinary household registration, and everyone had the same household registration.There are only salt households whose household registration is a unique salt registration.Especially in Huainan, Liangzhe, and the coastal areas of Fujian, salt households were born bound to the saltworks, making salt for generations, and could not leave easily.

If it is found that he has escaped, he will be punished with a stick if he is recovered.

Zhao Cong had long wanted to change this policy. As soon as he took office, he wanted to increase the production of salt, and it has achieved some results in the past few years.Just because of this unique salt registration, the enthusiasm of the salt households has always been mediocre, and most of the salt households live a miserable life.The salt field is complicated, but the officials of the small field are flattered by countless people.He also knew that most of the capital distributed by the imperial court may have been swallowed up by the court officials.

Some even got swallowed up in other sessions before it was their turn to be the official.The matter of embezzlement of salt capital seems simple and easy to deal with.In fact, officials cover up each other, one ring after another, it is really difficult to find out.In the past few years, he could not concentrate on dealing with the locust plague and drought.

With less and no capital, the salt people have to make a certain amount of money every year, and they have no money to repair the salt-making tools. It is really hard, not only bad for the people, but also bad for the salt industry in the Song Dynasty.

The premise for him to make the country better is not the premise and price of squeezing the people.

He hopes that the common people can also live well, especially the salt people who have never been paid much attention to.

If the salt officials want to be governed and the salt system needs to be changed, we should start with the salt register first.

He thought about this for a long time, and this year was a good year, so he planned to change it immediately.

Zhao Cong has been in power for five years. The officials all know that he is a very thoughtful emperor, most of the ideas he put forward are extremely useful, and they are willing to support his new policies.Zhao Cong is not complacent either. The methods he came up with based on the experience of later generations always have loopholes, and he has to discuss them with these officials.

At this time, he was discussing with everyone, and there happened to be a disagreement. Zhao Cong picked up the teacup to drink tea, and when he looked up, he saw Fu Lu coming in.Fu Lu walked up to him and whispered: "Your Majesty, Mr. Xiao Lang is back."

Zhao Cong looked at the time, and it was already past noon, feeling inexplicably unhappy.

"He's outside." Fu Lu said again.

"Call him in."

"Yes." Fulu turned around and went out to call for someone.

After a while, Fu Lu opened the curtain, and Zhao Shiqi walked in.

After going out once, I changed my clothes again.

Zhao Cong was angry for no reason when he saw his black body.

He has not yet noticed that he has some excessive desire to control Zhao Shiqi, he just doesn't like to see Zhao Shiqi dressed in black, it seems to always remind him of the lonely five years.He likes to see Zhao Shiqi dressed like in previous years, it seems like that, it didn't exist in those five years.

His little eleven is still his little eleven.

Although Zhao Shiqi didn't smile, there was a smile in his eyes, but he didn't understand why Zhao Cong's expression suddenly cooled down.Zhao Cong five years ago was not like this. At that time, Zhao Cong had a good temper, but he was always awkward and angry.

He walked up to Zhao Cong and saluted, "Your Majesty."

Zhao Cong came back to his senses, he was angry, and he always had to do business.No matter what Zhao Shiqi looks like, as long as he comes back, he will be the person he cares about most besides his sister.

No one can bully him or underestimate him.

Zhao Cong also got up, called Zhao Shiqi to his side, and said to the several prime ministers and confidant officials below: "This is the little eleventh prince of Wei County Prince's Mansion, my nephew, Zhao Shiqi."

The people below also quickly got up and saluted.

"I want to let him go to the imperial court to practice, but he has not decided where to go. He is still young and less experienced. At that time, you need to mention more."

Everyone said "don't dare".

Zhao Cong glanced outside again, and said: "I don't think it's Shen Shi, so I'm here today, all you gentlemen, go home. My maids made some very good cakes, you all take some back."

Zhao Cong knows what is needed for interpersonal communication. Although he is an emperor, he doesn't need to please others, let alone this dynasty where imperial power is supreme.But even though he is the emperor, the people standing below are always full of scheming and attacks when it comes to politics and interests.It's just to see whose scheming is deeper and whose attack is softer.

The human heart is a luxury at all.

But accumulating water to form a puddle and win over people's hearts, this kind of trick of moistening things silently is more effective.Don't think that being an emperor is all about me, and you don't need people's hearts.The higher you stand, the more you need people's hearts.It is often at critical moments that the benefits of gathering people's hearts can be seen.

But in the matter of winning over, one more point is to please, and to lower one's status.Anything less is false and futile.

Zhao Cong has been slowly wooing him over the past five years, and he has mastered the speed and frequency very well.

At this time, the lower officials thanked them again sincerely, and then left politely.

After the person left, Zhao Cong frowned and said directly: "This dress is ugly, don't wear it again."

Zhao Shiqi didn't care about it, he never cared about the clothes, he took out the paper bag from his arms, handed it to Zhao Cong, and said with a smile, "Furong cake."

"..." Zhao Cong was taken aback.

"It's still hot." Zhao Shiqi said as he opened the paper bag and showed him, "It's very fragrant."

Zhao Cong's heart almost softened again immediately.

When Xiao Shi went out for a trip, he still remembered to bring him food, which was still his favorite food.

"Try it, Your Majesty." Zhao Shiqi knew that he had done something wrong, and it was time to please him in every possible way, and he also knew what kind of himself Zhao Cong liked. Zhao Cong liked the obedient and funny-looking him when he was a child.He immediately took one out and obediently handed it to Zhao Cong's mouth.

Zhao Cong's lips touched the soft surface of the hibiscus cake, he looked up at Zhao Shiqi's eyes, and took a bite involuntarily.The stuffing was very sweet and fragrant, and the cake was indeed still warm. Zhao Cong took a bite, and the red bean paste flowed a little onto Zhao Shiqi's finger.

"Does it taste good?" Zhao Shiqi asked.

Zhao Cong nodded, and said softly: "Sweet, glutinous."

Zhao Shiqi tasted the red bean paste on his finger with his backhand, and smiled: "It's really sweet."

"..."

Those who were killed by Zhao Shiqi will never know that before he died, the Lord Sanlang who was smiling like a flower from the other side in front of him actually smiled like a purple golden flower blooming on the branches in real summer.

It's a pity that only Zhao Cong can know about this matter.

It's a pity that Zhao Cong didn't know about it at this time.

Zhao Cong didn't like Zhao Shiqi's black clothes, so after eating a hibiscus pancake, he hurriedly took him back to Funing Palace.Ling Chaxi took him to change clothes.Zhao Cong also changed his body, untied his hair, sat on the couch and let Rantao untie his hair.

Ran Tao suddenly laughed.

Zhao Cong was surprised: "What are you laughing at?"

"Your Majesty, Lu Yuan went out of the palace with Mr. Xiao Lang today, and encountered a very interesting thing."

"What's the matter?"

"This hibiscus cake was bought by Mr. Xiao Lang in person. It is the newly opened Yifuji in the city last year. The princess also praised the delicious one."

Zhao Cong nodded, feeling at ease in his heart, the little heartless one remembers to buy him food, which is already very good, and he queues up by himself, which makes him very happy.

"Unexpectedly, our little lord is so handsome, a little lady came up to talk to him, and wanted to give him the pastries she bought!" Rantao smiled, "Little lord is sixteen now. , Maid thought about it, there really is no lady in Tokyo who is worthy of him!"

Zhao Cong turned cold for no reason.

It's only been a few days since he came back, and he hasn't seen enough, how can he let people get married?Little Eleven is only 16 years old. If he doesn't start a career, he just wants to start a family?Thinking of this, he couldn't help but wonder, does Little Eleven know anything about personnel?During those years in Hangzhou, were there any concubines?

Rantao saw that he suddenly stopped talking, but when he looked closely, His Majesty still had a cold face.Although she didn't know why, she also put away her smile and didn't dare to laugh anymore.

It wasn't until Zhao Shiqi changed his clothes and came back again that Zhao Cong turned around and saw that his face looked much better if it wasn't black.

He also asked the people from the Shangyi Bureau to measure Zhao Shiqi immediately, and several embroiderers gathered around him to measure and praise him for his good birth.One is to please His Majesty, and the other is Zhao Shiqi's real handsomeness.

Zhao Cong was happy and unhappy at the same time.

He was handsome, but the more beautiful he was, the cheaper it would be for his wife in the future.

Xiu Niang also asked Zhao Shiqi what style he likes, Zhao Shiqi didn't care and said, "Just do as many as you like."

Zhao Cong said, "Bring me the brochure, I'll take a look."

"Yes." Xiu Niang gave him the brochure.

Zhao Cong held it in his hand and looked carefully, Rantao and the others were silently speechless, His Majesty really doted on Xiao Langjun even more than before.His Majesty never asked about his own clothes.Five years ago, His Majesty only occasionally asked about Xiao Langjun's clothes, but now he is holding a brochure to look at the clothes of Xiao Langjun!

That day in the Chongzheng Hall, His Majesty introduced Zhao Shiqi to everyone in front of several ministers, so he no longer avoids people.

Since His Majesty wanted it, these officials naturally released the news.

In this way, Zhao Shiqi formally entered everyone's field of vision again.

In Prince Wei's mansion, Zhao Congde got up from his chair when he heard about it, and asked in disbelief, "It really is him?!"

"Your Majesty! It really is him! Your Majesty said in front of several lords that he is going to be sent to the court to practice! After hearing this, the position will not be bad! I heard from some lords that Xiao Lang is very handsome now! According to reports Many people wait and see and want to choose him as their son-in-law!"

Zhao Congde didn't care about this.He got up and walked around the house a few times, thinking that Zhao Shiqi had returned, wondering if his mother was also in Beijing?It's just that this is obviously not the point anymore, he turned around and said angrily: "Because of this kid, our mansion plummeted! Now even the most incompetent sons of the clan are getting free positions in the Dazong Zhengsi. Nothing! Shiyuan is 22, and there is no serious errand. I secretly watched, if it wasn't for the fact that there was a disagreement with etiquette, Zhao Cong might have wanted to demote our entire Wei County palace a long time ago!"

"My son... the walls have ears."

"The wall has ears! What else is there to be afraid of? Who still comes to Wei County Prince's Mansion now? This kid is good, and he will still have to be reused after he comes back! I am his father anyway, and he won't come back to see me!"

"My son! I heard that His Majesty rewarded him with a house!"

"Hey! The palace is no longer in his eyes, so he doesn't like it anymore!"

"He is still living in the palace now, why don't you visit the palace?"

Zhao Congde was impatient: "You want me to give in to Zhao Cong?"

The second housekeeper was also very helpless when he saw that he couldn't understand his family's heir.Your Majesty is no longer the former Majesty, but their sons can't turn the corner.

"What is father doing?"

"My lord is feeding the fish in Yuanrong Pavilion."

Zhao Congde circled around the house a few more times, finally sat down and said, "I want to see if this bastard will come back to visit me! If he doesn't come to visit me, I'll ask him, and I won't be told by Da Zong Zhengsi." Zhao Kelu has to take care of it no matter what! It's up to them to take care of this matter!"

"...my son."

"Wei Junwang's mansion is already like a transparent person. If it continues like this, it will really be over. If you want to pay attention, you have to set up a storm first. If no one comes, I will do it myself. I want to see if Zhao Cong How can he not see it! No matter how proud Zhao Shiqi is, he is also Lao Tzu's son! How can a son come back and not pay homage to Lao Tzu? Zhao Cong can't cover it up for him!"

The second housekeeper didn't dare to agree with such words, but said again: "My son, since he is back, we must find out what happened back then, right? The little one thinks that it is better to ask His Majesty to investigate directly than to start with Mr. Eleven. Clear up what happened in the past! People were not harmed by our palace. If you find out clearly, why bother you to come in person? Your Majesty will give what is due, and besides, the side concubine and Xiao Shilang can also come back!"

Zhao Congde frowned and said nothing, finally shook his head and said: "There is no need to do that." Concubine Xu is already useless, so there is no need to keep it, it would be troublesome to call her back.

The second housekeeper felt sorry for Concubine Xu inexplicably, after all, he had been with the son for nearly twenty years, the saltworks were very miserable!

Besides, he thought that he really shouldn't fight His Majesty.

But their elder son is also very arrogant and unwilling to bow his head.

How can he persuade him? He is just a servant.

Zhao Shiqi was still living in the palace, and it was not easy for Zhao Congde to enter the palace to find trouble, so he waited for Zhao Shiqi to come when he was out of the palace.Zhao Shiqi is also really a celebrity in Beijing, His Majesty gave him a house, and specially ordered someone to repair it for him, so that the whole Tokyo city knew about it.

Zhao Cong was not such a person at all in the past, but he seemed to be a different person because of Zhao Shiqi's return.But if you say that he has changed, except for the matter of Zhao Shiqi, he is still the same emperor as before. When discussing political affairs with courtiers, he is as usual orderly and respectful, and his majesty is still very strong.

Zhao Cong can occasionally sense his own sickness, but he can't control it, and he doesn't want to control it.They haven't seen each other for five years, and he couldn't make up the time, so he used the house, clothes, food and so on to make up for it.It is not only to make up for time, but also to fill in the lack of my heart during those five years.

At this moment, Dianzhong Sheng, who was in charge of repairing Zhao Shiqi's house, came to report the repair.

Zhao Cong listened carefully to what he said below.

Sheng Yin talked about every corner and corner, and finally said: "Your Majesty, don't worry! I have sent many experienced and strong boys to repair it, and the sky is already clear, and it will be repaired in less than ten days! Mr. Xiaolang—— —”

Zhao Cong put down the teacup, held it in his hand, and lowered his eyes: "Can it be repaired in ten days?"

"..." Sheng Yin was sweating for no reason, it's too fast, isn't it good?

Zhao Cong frowned.

Sheng Yin asked in a low voice: "Your Majesty, can it be repaired in fifteen days?"

Zhao Cong still frowned.

"Twenty days?"

Zhao Cong put the tea cup heavily on the table: "At least one month!"

"Yes yes yes! This house is time-consuming and troublesome to repair, and the snow hardens. It will take at least a month! I'm afraid it will take two months!"

Zhao Cong then stretched his brows, glanced at him, and said softly: "This matter—"

"Out of this door, the little one won't know anything!"

"Go." Zhao Cong was satisfied.

Sheng Yin saluted and hurried away.

As soon as he left, Lu Yuan came in.

Zhao Cong looked up at him, but he didn't see Zhao Shiqi, his brows were about to wrinkle again.The child is really grown up, and he usually stays in the palace all day without getting bored, and he knows how to go to the back garden to draw pictures for his own entertainment.Now that he came back, he ran out of the palace twice in three days, but he was also busy.Especially today, when he woke up early in the morning, he went to preside over the court meeting. Today is the court meeting held once every five days. Not only officials above rank five entered the palace, but all the officials in Kaifeng mansion also came, and he also left early.

I didn't see anyone, so I went out, but when I came back, no one was there.

When I asked, I took Lu Yuan away and went out again.

Fortunately, Lu Yuan came back by himself, but he didn't come back!

Seeing that His Majesty's expression was not good, Lu Yuan immediately knelt down and said, "Your Majesty! Mr. Xiao Lang will be back soon!"

"What did he do?"

"The little one went out with Xiao Langjun to go shopping on the West Street today, Xiao Langjun bought some paper and pens, and then went to the silver building—"

"What did he go to the Silver House for?"

"Mr. Xiao Lang has chosen a good reputation." Lu Yuan said honestly.

face?The head is something for girls.What is he buying that for?Zhao Cong frowned again.

Lu Yuan couldn't hear his voice, so he was a little worried, so he tried to pick something nice to say.What does His Majesty like to hear?His Majesty loves to hear good things about Xiao Langjun!

Lu Yuan hurriedly smiled and said complacently: "Your Majesty, when Mr. Xiao Lang was picking things in the silver building, there happened to be a few young ladies there. The little eyes are clumsy, and I can't recognize which house they belong to, but I have a good manner. It's extraordinary, but they are all staring at our little man! There is a girl who is very courageous, and she even asked which family our little man is!"

"..." Zhao Cong really wanted to ask Lu Yuan: If you don't speak, who will think you are dumb?

It's really not good to grow up, I've only been back for a few days, it's fine to run outside all day, it's fine if I don't stay at home, and I learned to steal presents, now that Lu Yuan is brought back, it must be a present!

This little heartless person, besides giving him a painting, what else did he give him? !

He raised him for nearly a year anyway!I was cheated by him for nearly six years!

The author has something to say: Eleven Niang: The conscience of heaven and earth, the head is bought for your precious sister! [raises hands reverently]