Emperor Renzong of the Great Song Dynasty

It was the dead of night, but Bao Zheng hadn't fallen asleep yet.

He sat at the table, lit a candle, and looked through the account book for today's porridge by the candle.

Ten days have passed since the emperor entrusted him with the task of dealing with refugees outside Beijing.

In ten days, he first set up a porridge shed outside the city, serving two meals of porridge a day, and then built a row of simple houses along the city wall to house the homeless refugees.

There has been a lot of rain this year, and it has snowed heavily since the beginning of winter. There have been three snowfalls in the past ten days, and the snow has crushed several newly built houses. Fortunately, no one was killed.

The food for porridge and the money for building houses were approved by the Ministry of Households.At the end of the year, accounts are being paid everywhere, and suddenly such a large expenditure has to be recalculated, and no one is happy.

When Bao Zheng went to collect the money and food, he received a lot of stares.

Fortunately, the emperor has already controlled the government affairs in his own hands. No matter how unhappy the officials of the Ministry of Household Affairs are, they still want to give him face as a celebrity in front of the emperor. Here we go.

Sometimes Bao Zheng would find it ironic that it was a matter of course to help the victims, and it was the responsibility of the third department. To get the money and food, he had to rely on his face in front of the emperor.

He sighed and comforted himself, the emperor is sage and benevolent, and those who are close to him are all virtuous officials and gentlemen, no villain can gain face in front of the emperor, and he is not afraid of someone taking advantage of the emperor's favor to harm the public and private interests, and cause trouble for the court.

This is also luck among misfortunes.

There was a creaking sound at the door, Zhan Zhao opened it and walked in.

Bao Zheng raised his head: "Is the porridge finished for today?"

The houses that were crushed by the heavy snow had to be repaired, and some victims of the disaster were caught by the cold and needed to consult a doctor for medicine.He was busy arguing with the people from the household department today, so he didn't go to inspect the porridge shed, Zhan Zhao went for him.

Zhan Zhao nodded: "It's all over. There are still three meals of food left, which can probably last until the afternoon of the day after tomorrow."

"Today, the Ministry of Households has approved another batch of food, which can last for four days."

Bao Zheng rubbed his frowning brows: "Is there no one making trouble anymore?"

Yesterday afternoon, several households fought for porridge bowls, overturned a porridge shed, and spilled a large pot of porridge.Bao Zheng ordered people to arrest all the victims of the disturbance, and then suppressed other victims who were eager to fight.

Zhan Zhao untied the giant sword from his waist, and put it on the table: "I told those who made trouble yesterday to hit the mandarin ducks in public, but it didn't hurt their muscles, but it was really embarrassing, and they said they would never dare again. "

Only then did Bao Zheng have a smile on his face: "Eunuch Liu's method is very clever."

Beating the mandarin duck board is the way of punishing eunuchs in the palace. During the execution, two people should be in groups. You hit me first, and I will hit you again.For this reason, each of them will keep a line in their hands, just like mandarin ducks playing with each other, so it is called mandarin duck board.

Using this method to punish people will not really hurt people. At most, the wound will swell for two or three days, and the action will not be delayed.

It's just that the process of taking off your pants and hitting each other with a board in public is too shameful, so it can serve as an example to others.

Zhan Zhao also smiled: "I'm afraid no one will dare to make trouble again in the future."

Bao Zheng restrained his smile: "Since there are people who dare to make trouble, it means that they have eaten too much recently, and even their energy and spirit have recovered. In this way, we can proceed to the next step."

Sitting across from him, Zhan Zhao pulled Ju Que out of the scabbard, unfolded a veil, and wiped it carefully: "What's the next step? Send all the disaster victims to the Xiang Army?"

In previous years, there were such displaced victims. The government was afraid that they would gather together to make trouble, so they usually recruited them into the army.

Now I heard that the imperial guards are very strict in screening, recruiting new recruits every year, and will no longer accept such victims.After much deliberation, only Xiang Jun could be their destination.

Bao Zheng shook his head: "The government seems to have the intention of abolishing the Xiang Army, and the victims of the disaster in the future should not be sent to the Xiang Army."

Zhan Zhao raised his eyebrows: "Even the Xiang Army will be abolished? Then who will work in the future? Not to mention the future, what will we do with the tens of thousands of disaster victims?"

Bao Zheng said: "Whether the Xiang army will be dismissed or not depends on how the temple discusses, but the disaster victims will no longer be enrolled in the army. What your majesty means is that the household department only provides food for the first half month, and these disaster victims will have to support themselves this winter. As for whether to return to their hometown or stay in the capital after the beginning of spring, that is up to them.”

Zhan Zhao said: "Self-support? After half a month, the imperial court will not provide disaster relief? How can they support themselves if they are not familiar with the place?"

Bao Zheng said: "It's not that we don't provide disaster relief, but we need to provide relief with work. His Majesty decided to take advantage of the winter to repair all the dykes and dams along the Bian River, and the Ministry of Households will pay for it, including board and lodging, and wages. These tens of thousands of victims There's work to do all winter."

Zhan Zhao heaved a sigh of relief: "It's not too bad."

He laughed again: "But this time the official family is going to lose their money."

Bao Zheng said: "The embankment must be repaired. There is too much snow this winter, and next spring the snow will melt and flow into the river. There will be snow floods. If the embankment is not repaired, there is no way to defend it. It is not a waste of money."

"But... I'm worried about something else."

Zhan Zhao finished wiping the sword, put it back into its sheath: "You mean about Ying Tianfu? Didn't the magistrate already recruit?"

A few days ago, they questioned the victims in the suburbs of Beijing and found that they all fled from Yingtian Mansion.

The imperial court immediately issued an official document to Ying Tianfu, and Pei Yuan, the magistrate of Yingtian, also admitted that he did not do enough to relieve the disaster, which led to the displacement of a large number of victims.

Bao Zheng said: "Yingtian Mansion is located in the lower reaches of the Bian River, and Bianliang in the upper reaches is almost in disaster, and the situation in the lower reaches of Yingtian will only get worse. Therefore, when Prefect Pei asked the imperial court for disaster relief money and food, the imperial court allocated them in full. Later, Considering that Yingtian is the place where the dynasty prospered, there are palaces and ancestral temples, and a lot of property was specially transported."

Yingtianfu was Shangqiu in ancient times, and it is called Songzhou in today's world.Since the founding of the Song Dynasty, Songzhou was changed to Yingtianfu, and an imperial palace was built in Yingtianfu, which was designated as Nanjing.

"After allocating so much money and food, why is there still no disaster relief? There are also many counties in the lower reaches of the Yellow River that have suffered serious disasters. They haven't received so much money and food. Why haven't there been such big troubles like Ying Tianfu?"

Zhan Zhao frowned: "Could it be that there are corrupt officials in Yingtian Mansion who withheld money and food for disaster relief?"

He held down the Juque sword and stared firmly at Bao Zheng: "My lord, the official has entrusted you with the full power of this matter. If there is a place where people from the rivers and lakes can serve, Zhan Zhao will not hesitate to do so!"

Bao Zheng sighed lightly: "The heroic and courageous Zhan Yishi, I don't know. It's just this matter..."

He frowned: "Ying Tianfu... this matter is not that simple."

Zhan Zhao asked: "Sir, what concerns do you have, why don't you tell me?"

Bao Zheng smiled wryly: "I don't have any worries, but I just feel that this matter is too big and really tricky."

Zhan Zhao said, "What's so difficult?"

Bao Zheng said: "Yingtian Mansion is different from ordinary prefectures and counties. Since it is the Nanjing of the country, there must be an imperial palace and ancestral temple, so it must be guarded by the clan."

"You also know that the clan princes of this dynasty are not vassals. Most of them have a palace in Bianliang City. The court gives money and things every year, and life goes on like this. But..."

He considered his words for a while: "As time goes on, Bianliang City can no longer accommodate so many princes—there is one in the first place, one in Taizong, and there are countless brothers and cousins ​​of the late emperor. It just so happens that there is also an ancestral temple in Nanjing. A group of princes were moved to Nanjing, and a group of princes went to Luoyang. Now I am afraid that the matter of Yingtian Mansion will involve the royal family, and it will be difficult to handle."

No matter how favored he is by the emperor, he is only a censor.Those princes are the emperor's uncles and elders, if this matter is really related to them...

Bao Zheng sighed: "I can only take one step at a time. In a few days, the work-for-relief will be on the right track. I have to go to Yingtian Mansion to see how Prefect Pei's relief is."

Zhao Yiyi put on a big fur cloak and stood in front of the busy construction site: "Boss Jiang, business is booming?"

Jiang Ping was wearing a bunt suit, and his hands and face were covered with plaster: "It's all thanks to Boss Zhao, I didn't work in vain these days."

Zhao Yiyi said: "Let's go, lead me in and have a look."

Jiang Ping handed him a cloth towel: "It's gray inside, it's better to cover your face with this."

Liu En took the cloth towel, covered Zhao Yiyi's mouth and nose, and tied a knot behind his head.

Zhao Yiyi adjusted the position of the cloth towel, followed Jiang Ping into the cement factory.

Now tens of thousands of disaster victims gather under the city of Tokyo, waiting for the imperial court to take care of their meals every day.Once Zhao benefited, it would be better to use the tens of thousands of labor force directly by substituting work for relief.

The place where labor is most needed now is the repair of several dams on the Bian River.

Anyway, it was necessary to build a dam. Zhao Yiyi directly copied a recipe for homemade cement to Jiang Ping, and told him to set up a cement kiln outside Bianliang City to burn cement for the imperial court.

Cement is low in cost and easy to make, just burn limestone with clay.

When entering the construction site, the heat wave brought by the cement kiln hits the face.

Zhao Yiyi let go of his grip on the cloak, and said with a smile, "No wonder Boss Jiang is wearing shorts, so it's so warm inside."

Handing the cloak that had been taken off to Liu En, Zhao Yiyi wandered around the construction site, and saw a few people pulling a boulder as high as a small mountain and rumbling over, pushing the boulder to a high platform. The strong workers smashed the boulder with a sledgehammer, and another team of workers carried the gravel away with a small cart, and pushed another boulder.

The stone shattered and a cloud of gray dust was stirred up. Zhao Yiyi narrowed his eyes: "This dust is too big."

Jiang Pingdao: "Come here quickly."

Zhao Yiyi smiled: "You called me here with great fanfare, just to let me eat this ashes?"

Two days ago, Jiang Pingtuo and Fan Zhongyan sent him a message, saying that the cement plant had been built and started work, and asked him to come and have a look.

Although Zhao Yiyi was very concerned about the progress of the cement plant, after all, it was related to the work-for-work relief to repair the embankment.But he was busy with raising children recently, and couldn't leave the palace, so he asked Liu En to take a look on his behalf.

In the end, Zhao Yiyi did not ask Fan Zhongyan to name the little princess, but chose a name for her himself.

He named the little princess Zhao Xu.

Asahi, the sun will show up.The sun is rising, and the purple air is coming from the east.

Zhao Yiyi felt that this word should be worthy of his 666 daughter.

He took Zhao Xu by his side to raise him.

This is his heir, what if Kou Yaoniang leads him to learn some supernatural things, and in the future he will devote himself to cultivating immortals and not wanting to be an emperor.

Still take care of yourself.

The house in Yuchen Palace is not big, and there is still a baby over half a year old living there. Zhao Yiyi reads the memorials every day accompanied by the baby's crying, and feels that life is very fulfilling.

Zhao Xu clings to him, and loves to cry when he doesn't see him.He didn't dare to entrust Zhao Xu to the palace servants to take care of him, fearing that she would cause trouble with the palace maid's wife in the future, so he had to do it himself and spend a lot of time with her every day.

Anyway, the emperor didn't go out of the palace for his daily work. He entertained himself while watching his son Zhao Xu, which was considered a happy parent-child time.

As for his 121 eldest son...

Zhao Yiyi left his son to Kou Yaoniang, and she can raise her as she likes. If she is willing to teach Xiuxian, he can teach Xiuxian. Anyway, it is impossible for him to pass the throne to a political idiot.

Anyway, taking care of children is not what he should do as an emperor, it is common practice to throw them to the queen and the palace.

For the prince's name, he used a word proposed by Yan Shu.

Dan, Zhao Dan.I hope that this son can be a loyal and virtuous minister like Zhou Gongdan in the future, and not compete with his sister for the throne.

But at least for now, he dare not make public the idea of ​​Zhao Xu as his heir. After all, using a woman as heir is too absurd, and the current public opinion is absolutely unacceptable.

On the bright side, the current crown prince is still Zhao Dan.

But Zhao Yiyi knew that the only person who could inherit his throne and his career was Zhao Xu.

So between inspecting the cement factory and accompanying Zhao Xu, he hesitated and chose to stay in the palace.

Zhao Xu was only half a year old and needed the company of his relatives.

But Jiang Ping repeatedly insisted that Zhao Yiyi be present in person. Zhao Yiyi was a little puzzled, but he still took Liu En out of the palace.

After all, Jiang Ping is a veteran of the royalist party, and he controls his entire purse, so we still have to give him some face.

"That's not the case," Jiang Ping said with a smile, "I invited Boss Zhao here today because I want Boss Zhao to meet someone."

Zhao Yiyi sighed with a smile: "Who, you can't meet him openly, you have to let me go to this place."

Jiang Ping said in a low voice: "It's for Bao Yushi."

Zhao Yiyi put away his smile: "Is there any news from Ying Tianfu?"

The most recent refugees in the capital came from Yingtian Mansion. Yingtian Mansion is a very sensitive place. Zhao Yiyi knows better than Bao Zheng that Song Zhenzong’s brothers and cousins ​​were all driven to Yingtian Mansion except the eight virtuous kings who have always been very law-abiding. The residence is to prevent these princes from coveting courtiers to covet the throne.

Now something happened to Ying Tian Mansion...

Zhao Yiyi had to think of the worst.

Jiang Ping shook his head: "No. It is a good talent that I found among the people, who can help Lord Bao. But this is a big matter, and I dare not make decisions without authorization. Please let your Majesty look over it before letting him go to Lord Bao. .”

Although he hit it off with Gongsun Ce and admired each other's character and talent, but the matter of Ying Tianfu might involve royal secrets. If he wanted to recommend Gongsun Ce, he had to pass the emperor's hurdle first.

Zhao Yiyi breathed a sigh of relief: "It turns out that Boss Jiang wants to recommend talents for me."

He thought that some prince would rebel if he couldn't think about it.

"I don't know what kind of talent Boss Jiang values ​​so much. I must meet him well."

Gongsun Ce sat in a hut behind the cement factory, waiting quietly.

Jiang Ping said that day that Bao Yushi was in a big trouble right now, and a talent like him was needed.

Of course Gongsun Ce has heard of Bao Yushi's name.

As soon as he became an official, he joined a prime minister and solved the problem of tea in Yangzhou. After he became a censor and knew about miscellaneous affairs, he generously said that he asked the queen mother to return to power.A few days ago, Xia Song, the deputy envoy of the Privy Council, resigned because of his mother's mourning, and it was Bao Zheng's admonition in the court that made this person's true colors known to the world.

Gongsun Ce admired Bao Zheng very much.

If it weren't for his lack of fame and reputation, he would not be able to make friends with officials, he would definitely take the initiative to get acquainted with Bao Zheng and become a good friend.

Therefore, Jiang Ping said that Bao Zheng needed him, so he followed Jiang Ping here.

Jiang Ping said that he needs to meet someone before introducing him to Bao Zheng.Because what Bao Zheng is doing now is top secret, only if this person agrees, he can help Bao Zheng.

If the person disagrees, forget everything about the past few days.

Gongsun Ce waited patiently.

He didn't want to forget that he had the opportunity to work with Bao Zheng.

He had a premonition that the person Jiang Ping mentioned would definitely agree.

There was a sound of footsteps outside the door. Gongsun Ce sat on a chair, guessing the distance of the footsteps.

One step, two steps, three steps, up the steps, the door was pushed open.

He stood up and greeted the door in the direction it opened.

"My lord, Gongsun Ce, has met all of you."

Zhao Yiyi looked at the young scholar standing in front of him.

Wearing a coarse cloth gown, the clothes are washed white, and there are two patches behind the elbows.

He is taller than Liu En, even if he bends down to salute, he is neither humble nor overbearing, with a bookish air all over his body.

Before the bamboo is unearthed, there is a festival, and there is no intention to go to the clouds.

Zhao Yiyi smiled and said, "Please get up."

Gongsun Ce.

Zhan Zhao has already followed Bao Zheng, Gongsun Ce has also come, and the Audio-Technica finally gathered in Kaifeng Mansion.

Zhao Yiyi looked back at Jiang Ping: "This is the talented person you want to recommend to me?"

Hearing that he called himself Zhen, Gongsun Ce's breath stopped, and Zhao Yiyi stretched out his hand before he saluted: "No need to kneel."

Gongsun Ce bowed deeply: "The student has seen the official family."

Zhao Yiyi smiled and said, "So you have fame?"

Jiang Pingdao: "Not only is he famous, he is also a senior student of Principal Yan."

Zhao Yiyi was surprised: "Are you Yan Shu's apprentice?"

Gongsun Ce is Yan Shu's apprentice, this world is too small.

Gongsun Ce said: "Thanks to the great kindness of the teacher, I have accepted the students here."

Jiang Pingdao: "Principal Yan's new Xiangshu chapter was staged by Brother Gongsun."

Like number?

Zhao Yiyi's heart skipped a beat.

The content of the Xiangshu chapter is mainly about the calendar and astrology, both of which involve astronomy and require a lot of calculations.

Now that Ying Tianfu's disaster relief is not good, Bao Zheng is going to thoroughly investigate the details of this matter, mainly to find out where the money and food allocated by the imperial court have been used.

When Bao Zheng arrived at Yingtian Mansion, he was playing an away game. The opponent must have prepared a whole set of fake accounts for him to check.If you want to find out the whereabouts of the disaster relief money from this vast account, then you must need a good accountant.

Zhao Yiyi glanced at Gongsun Ce's attire.

Well, good accountant.

He smiled and said to Jiang Ping, "Even if I don't believe you, I should believe in Yan Shu. The people he accepts as disciples will not be criminals."

"It's a cold day, at least give him a change of clothes."

This means that Gongsun Ce has been agreed to participate in the thorough investigation of the disaster relief case of Yingtian Mansion.

Jiang Ping and Gongsun Ce said happily: "Thank you, the official family."

Zhao Yiyi said: "It's getting late, I should go back to the palace."

Looking at Gongsun Ce: "But your hands and feet must be fast."

Gongsun Ce said: "Students should do their best."

Zhao Yiyi turned to Jiang Ping and said, "The war in the west is about to be settled, this mess must be settled before that person returns, and no one should be allowed to take advantage of it."

That one is Kou Zhun.

When facing Kou Zhun, Zhao Yiyi must go all out and not be held back by other miscellaneous things.

Even if Kou Zhun had been burnt to a pile of ashes, Zhao Yiyi had to pour a bucket of cold water on it to prevent his ashes from resurging.

Jiang Ping lowered his head: "I understand."

After sending the emperor away, Jiang Ping let out a sigh of relief, and smiled at Gongsun Ce: "Let's go, let's find Lord Bao!"

Bao Zheng was checking the recent work-for-work payment at home. The long series of figures dazzled him, but he still had to bite the bullet and count.

As long as this place is on the right track, he can withdraw and go to Yingtian Mansion.

Yesterday's expenditure, a total of 180 stones, six buckets, two liters and four combinations of rice, and a total of 780 one taels, seven cents and four cents of silver...

At this time, Zhan Zhao jumped down from the eaves: "Jiang Ping is here! He also brought a scholar!"

Bao Zheng was puzzled: "What did Jiang Yishi come to see me for?"

Zhan Zhao shrugged: "I don't know, anyway, I will never come to you to borrow money."

Bao Zheng laughed and stood in front of the door waiting for Jiang Ping.Not long after, Jiang Ping really brought a commoner scholar to the door to ask for an interview.

When Bao Zheng saw that the scholar was standing upright and clear, he already took a high look in his heart.When Jiang Ping introduced that this is Principal Yan's high-ranking apprentice, and the emperor specially sent him to assist in the investigation of Ying Tianfu's disaster relief case, Bao Zheng hurriedly said, "Excuse me, I don't know Mr. Gao's name?"

Gongsun Ce bowed deeply: "Student Gongsun Ce, I have met you."

Bao Zheng helped him up, Jiang Ping said with a smile: "The officials want us to act faster, but we dare not be courteous anymore. Mr. Bao, you should quickly reveal the details of this case to Brother Gongsun."

Bao Zheng then told Gongsun Ce all the details that Ying Tianfu's disaster relief was not good, that the relief funds were missing, and that the royal family might be involved.

After listening to this explanation, Gongsun Ce smiled: "I said what is the matter, so I was asked to investigate the evidence of their embezzlement of silver taels. It is not difficult, as long as they have the account books, I can find out the loopholes. "

Bao Zheng smiled: "I am most afraid of settling accounts in my life. With my husband by my side, Bao can rest easy."

Gongsun Ce said: "Students are worried about another matter. The Yingtian Mansion is full of royal relatives. If they are oppressive and they don't even let us check the accounts, what should we do?"

Bao Zheng said: "I have also considered this matter. Among the royal relatives in Yingtian Mansion, there is only one person who is closest to the official family and has the most respected status. We only need to ask His Majesty to issue a decree to ask this person to assist us in investigating the account books , the rest of the royal family headed by him must not dare to do it again. Even if unfortunately this case is related to him, he has no choice but to cooperate because of the imperial decree."

Gongsun Ce said, "Who is this person?"

Bao Zheng said: "This person is the youngest son of Emperor Taizong, the present uncle, the King of Xiangyang, Jue Zhao."