Dragon Queen

There are rumors in the palace that there are ghosts.

Zhao Zhouxing urged Wen Renxuan for a few days, but who would have thought that the master of the state teacher sat in Jintian Temple all day long, ignored this matter, and had a tepid attitude, so Zhao Zhouxing came to him, and only said one thing, the secret of heaven must not be revealed .

Ah Yue was lying on the table with a book, but the words were all upside down, but he worked hard. He sent Zhao Zhouxing out, and asked: "Your Majesty said it was haunted, why don't you go to catch ghosts?"

Wen Renhe turned the book over and straightened it, "Read the book carefully."

Haunting is just a rumor, can it be taken seriously?Wenren looked at the dark clouds in the sky together, feeling a little depressed in his heart.

There was a bloody aura in the cloud, but no reason could be found.And if the sky is covered, you can't watch the stars, you can't see the celestial phenomena, and you can't do divination.

In this situation, no one has to do anything.What's more, he has a good reputation and can't take risks. If the matter doesn't go out of the palace, he will never take care of it.

In the Sixteenth Dynasty, Zhao Zhouxing listened to Wen Xiuming's report on the disaster relief situation in Yongzhou, and Zheng Fuhai waited on him.

"...distributing 5 cotton coats to the victims, spending [-] taels, treating victims of frostbite, buying herbal medicine..."

In the richest land of fish and rice in the south of the Yangtze River, better clothes cost only two liang of silver, commoner clothes cost only a dozen renminbi, and cotton clothes worn in winter cost only a few dozen renminbi. , 5 cotton-padded clothes cost [-] taels of silver...

Zhao Zhouxing calculated this account in his heart, and the more he calculated, the more uncomfortable he became.

Wen Xiuming was still eloquently praising his achievements, while Zhao Zhouxing stared at his hands on the chair and didn't speak.

"...a total of 660 million taels of silver was spent on relief for the victims. The insufficient part came from the treasury of the Yongzhou government. Now the disaster situation in Yongzhou has generally stabilized, and spring will begin in one month. Due to the heavy snow last year, many The seeds left by the victims were damp and moldy, and the grain in the Yongzhou granary was used for disaster relief. This year's spring plowing may be affected." After Wen Xiuming finished speaking, he waited for Zhao Zhouxing to speak.

Zhao Zhouxing frowned and pretended to think.

Seeing Zhao Zhouxing's refusal to make a statement, Ji Zhengqing said, "Your Majesty, Bingzhou and Yizhou have not been affected by disasters this year. Since the Yongzhou government can't produce food, we should borrow it from these two places. ——Wen Xiang, for planting You don't need much food, why are such trivial matters worth reporting in court?"

Wen Xiuming immediately counterattacked: "Spring plowing is a major event that affects the livelihood of the people. Why did it become a 'such a small matter' when it came to Ji Xiang? Planted here?——Back to the emperor, Bingzhou government and Yizhou government are unwilling to lend grain to Yongzhou, so I hope to ask the emperor to make a decision."

Zhao Zhouxing said "Oh" seriously, and asked, "Why don't they want to lend food to Yongzhou?"

"Returning to the emperor, the two prefectures excused that there is no surplus grain this year, so they did not borrow." Wen Xiuming glanced at Ji Zhengqing, "But as far as I know, Bingzhou and Yizhou have a bumper harvest this year, and there is absolutely no way that there will be no surplus grain. It can be seen that it is not because They don’t borrow food because they don’t have it, but because some people don’t want them to borrow it.”

After Wen Xiuming finished speaking, he changed the subject, "Your Majesty, Bingzhou Prefecture and Yizhou Prefecture are students of Ji Xiang, and they are all recommended by Ji Xiang. The teacher's kindness is as important as a mountain. This person who doesn't want them to borrow money, I think, is right. Prime Minister, Ji Zhengqing, Lord Ji."

Ji Zhengqing's beard and eyebrows trembled together, pointing at Wen Xiuming and cursing: "Blood! What evidence do you have to prove that I ordered them not to borrow food from Yongzhou?"

Wen Xiuming was complacent in his heart, but on the surface he was still pretending, and reminded: "Ji Xiang, this is the court hall, please pay attention to your demeanor before the holy car."

The emperor sitting above had already turned his head and asked Zheng Fuhai to pour her a cup of tea. He lifted the lid and blew slowly, while saying, "Come on, give the two lovers a seat. Don't just stand and talk, it's strange." tired."

The two stopped their quarrel immediately, and said in unison: "The minister is terrified."

"What are you afraid of?" Zhao Zhouxing said with a smile, "I don't even sit on the seat I gave you. Why, do you want to disobey the holy order?"

Looking at each other from left to right, he hurriedly said, "I dare not."

"Sit down if you don't dare." Zhao Zhouxing waited for the two of them to sit carefully, and then put down the teacup, "Both lovers are thinking about the common people, I understand. What Wen Xiang said is reasonable, spring plowing is a major event for a country , cannot be ignored. Since Bingzhou and Yizhou have no surplus food to borrow, don’t embarrass them. Of course, don’t make wild guesses about the courtiers.”

Before Zhao Zhou could finish his words, Wen Xiuming immediately knelt on the ground, "I am guilty."

Zhao Zhouxing signaled him to get up, "I didn't say you were guilty, go back and sit down. ——Since the current situation is like this, then allocate 100 million silver to buy the grains needed for farming. Rong Qing, this matter will be handed over to you." I'll do it for you, and don't miss this year's spring plowing."

Just as Rong Yong, Minister of the Ministry of Household Affairs, responded, a young man in his 20s suddenly stood up among the officials, "My Majesty, there was only 1000 million taels of silver left in the treasury last year, and this year's taxes have not yet been put into the treasury. The army garrison in Xinjiang needs 1000 million taels, Qingzhou and Jiaozhou need to allocate 400 million taels to repair the dykes, and the palace repairs need to spend 100 million taels. These are big expenses. Small ones, the cost of clothing and food in the palace, The various expenses of the Taiyuan Academy outside the palace, the compilation of books and the revision of history of the Imperial Academy need money everywhere. According to the previous tax situation, the tax before July is extremely low. If we want to catch up with the spring plowing in March, the income Taxes, minus various daily expenses, cannot afford the 100 million taels of silver."

Zhao Zhouxing looked at the person standing next to him. Although she didn't care much about these ministers, she still remembered this person. He was Ji Zhengqing's second son, named Ji Yu, 26. Speaking of which, Zhao Feng passed the exam when he was in office. Tanhua.

At that time, Ji Zhengqing was one of the main examiners, so in order to avoid suspicion, he was not given the champion.Placed in the Ministry of Households, at the beginning, he was only given the rank of seventh rank, responsible for copying documents.Now he is the servant of the household department, an official of the fourth rank.

After hearing these words, Zhao Zhouxing asked Rong Yongdao: "Rong Qing, what Ji Shilang said is the truth?"

Rong Yong pondered for a while, "Go back to the emperor, it's the truth."

Outside the palace gate, two imperial guards stopped the messenger who came in a hurry, "Who is it?"

The post envoy said, "Pass the military report."

"go in."

The imperial guard let go, but the post envoy ran halfway, and asked Zhai Xin to stop him, "But the latest military report?"

"Go back to your lord, yes!" said the post envoy.

"What's the situation, tell me." Zhai Xin said.

The post envoy hesitated for a moment, with a look of sadness on his face, "Back to your lord, General Zhu designed and captured Beiliang's prince Murongyu, but something happened in the middle, and now Mr. Zhu's whereabouts are unknown. It is said that he is the personal guard of Mr. Zhu." It is said that Master Zhu was injured before he disappeared."

"This..." Zhai Xin's expression was solemn, and Chaoli was discussing matters. If he told the news, it might cause some bad repercussions.

Now the emperor is waiting for the peace in the northern border, so that he can clean up his style...

Zhai Xin took out a piece of silver and gave it to the postman, "Thank you for your hard work."

The post envoy took the silver and said goodbye.Zhai Xin dismantled the military newspaper and read it carefully.

Zhao Zhouxing dropped his teacup, "The truth? Since it is the truth, the annual tax situation and the expenses of various ministries are recorded in the books. How could this happen?"

Rong Yong immediately knelt on the ground, lowered his head, neither excused nor pleaded guilty.

There was silence in the hall.

"In the imperial court, the wind of greed for ink is rampant. Has the emperor thought of intervening now?"

As soon as this remark came out, it was like a broken stone, and all the officials gasped in their hearts, and couldn't help but secretly looked behind to see who dared to say such bold words.

It doesn't matter, but it is Wen Xiang's subordinate, Zhongshu's servant, Bai Yao who is talking.

In the middle of the court, Ji Zhengqing and Ji Xiang were in charge of the Shangshuling, who were in charge of the Ministry of Rites, the Ministry of Households, and the Ministry of War.Wen Xiuming is in charge of the Book Order, which is divided into the Ministry of Officials, the Ministry of Industry, and the Ministry of Punishment. As the Minister of Zhongshu, Bai Yao is naturally Wen Xiang's subordinate.

Everyone in the imperial court knew that the Ministry of Industry was full of Wen Xiuming people. It was self-evident who this greedy ink was referring to.It's just that the person who said this is Zhongshu Shilang, so it's very interesting.

For those things that have nothing to do with him, all he thinks in his mind is, what means does Ji Zhengqing have to turn Zhongshu Shilang against him.

As for the greedy ones, they were already terrified, and their eyes secretly swept Wen Xiuming's face, trying to see some clues from it.

"It's my fault that Bai Qing accused me so much." Zhao Zhouxing smiled, and then his face turned cold, "But Bai Qing said this, what basis is there, if there is no basis, it is a crime of slandering the court, you can I can afford it too."

Before Bai Yao could answer, the commander of the Forbidden Army hurried in and submitted the military report, "Report! Your Majesty, the front line has won a great victory. Commander Zhu Chong has captured Prince Murong Yu of Beiliang."

Zheng Fuhai handed over the battle report to Zhao Zhouxing. Zhao Zhouxing was about to open it, but found that it had already been taken apart.The envelope was so thin that nothing could be touched.

But it is indeed Zhu Chong's seal on it.

Zhao Zhouxing raised his eyelids to look at Zhai Xin, then put down the battle report, "Back off."

The atmosphere suddenly became weird. Seeing this, Wen Xiuming was about to express his congratulations when Bai Yao said, "I have a performance."

He took out a thick memorial from his sleeve, and Zheng Fuhai handed it to Zhao Zhouxing, "This memorial is the evidence that the emperor wants."

Although Zhao Zhouxing could guess the contents of that booklet, since Bai Yao entered Beijing, she had never asked about the details. Now that she opened it and read it, every word was like a knife, cutting people's heart, and all kinds of crimes were clearly listed in the book.

Zhao Zhouxing only felt a fire rising in her chest, burning her whole body with anger.

"Wen Xiuming." Zhao Zhouxing threw the notebook at Wen Xiuming's feet, "Read it for yourself. Read it carefully, and explain it to me after reading it."

Wen Xiuming picked up the booklet, and after reading a few lines, he knelt down on the ground with a "plop", "Your minister is wronged!"

"Ask Bai Qing whether you have been wronged or not." Zhao Zhouxing looked at Bai Yao, "Bai Yao, what is said in this brochure is all based on solid evidence?"

Bai Yao said, "The evidence is solid."

"Where is the evidence?" Zhao Zhouxing asked.

"It's everywhere in the imperial court." Bai Yao smiled, "Of course, I have also sorted it out. Before that, I went to the south of the Yangtze River to inspect and hid the evidence in a merchant's home in Fengcheng, Qingzhou."

Zhao Zhouxing said several good words, "Du Shangshu, you should immediately send someone to thoroughly investigate this matter, and Rong Yong and Bai Yao will assist you. Ji Zhengqing, you are in charge of supervising this matter. If anyone is favoritism, investigate and deal with it on the spot."

"The minister leads the order."

"Retreat."

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Good night_(:з」∠)_