The emperor is embarrassed

Fang Shenxing and Song Zhuyu were unlucky, and they got involved in the case of the Guo family. However, even Ming Zhan did not expect that such a small case would turn into a dispute over Huguang Huaiyang shopping malls.

The Guo brothers went to court, regardless of who is right and who is right, as mentioned earlier, Guo Yaozong's medicinal materials are one of the medicinal materials suppliers of Huaiyang Shanrentang.Because of such an indecent case committed by the Guo family, Huaiyang Shanrentang hated their family tradition, so they disqualified Guo Yaozong from being a supplier and chose another Cheng's medicine store.

Cheng's Medicine Store is not a local company in Huaiyang, but a business invested by Cheng's, a well-known big business in Huguang.Originally, the Cheng family's main business was grain stores and silk, but because of the opening of Shanrentang, the head of the Cheng family quickly saw the business opportunities here, so he entered the medicinal material business, intending to get a share of the pie.

However, things will come up soon, your businessmen from Huguang went to Huaiyang to make a fortune, and it is not that Huaiyang does not have medicinal material suppliers, so why give the opportunity to make a fortune to outsiders.

Huaiyang's Medicine Chamber of Commerce was not very happy with Shanrentang's move.

These days, the status of businessmen is low, so it is even more necessary for them to work together, think of a way, and unite as one to solve everything.In short, Cheng's Pharmaceutical Company replaced Guo's Pharmaceutical Company as the supplier of Huaiyang Shanrentang, which made many Huaiyang pharmaceutical companies dissatisfied.

They have money and good relations with local officials.Anyone who builds bridges and paves the road is also willing to donate money to gain a good name, and by the way, leave a good impression in front of you adults.

Therefore, the merchants discussed a charter, and asked someone to find the new magistrate of Yangzhou, Master Xiao Fan, Fan Wei.

If it's another person, you don't necessarily have to pay attention to these things about the businessmen.

As an official in agriculture, industry and commerce, businessmen are the last.In this day and age, no one with a little bit of ability would be able to do business. However, due to the prosperity of the south of the Yangtze River, there are many people doing business, so this view is slightly weaker.

And Fan Wei has been by Ming Zhan's side since he was a child. Ming Zhan often said a word: no agriculture is unstable, no business is not rich.

What's more, Ming Zhan looked down on merchants for nothing special. Most of Ming Zhan's money was obtained from merchants.Fan Wei has been influenced by his ears and eyes, and the people of Yunnan and Guizhou are open and open, so Fan Wei's attitude towards merchants is much more cordial than ordinary people.

After carefully listening to the intention of Jiang Tian, ​​the chairman of the Medicine Merchant Renhui, Fan Weiwen said, "There is always some reason why Shanrentang chose Cheng's medicine shop. If your medicinal materials are no better than others, it is understandable that Shanrentang chooses the best for medicine. "

Jiang Tian obviously came prepared, and said respectfully, "If this is the case, Caomin's medicines are inferior to others, so there is nothing to say. However, as far as Caomin knows, in the past, Shanrentang selected drug dealers through public bidding. Everyone is convinced. But this time, since Shanrentang wants to re-select drug dealers, it is natural to follow the previous rules to be fair. Furthermore, the previous Shanrentang was opened because it was built by the Queen Mother to benefit the people, and the grassroots also They all donated money. Now every month, bills from Shanrentang are sent to the homes of Caomin and others. The empress dowager also said that the people are welcome to supervise. Therefore, Caomin dare not report it when they hear the news, otherwise it will be a violation. What is the will of the Empress Dowager?"

The opening of Shanrentang, although it has a certain impact on the medical clinic, it is definitely good news for the medicine store.Therefore, these merchants and chambers of commerce also donated a lot of money.However, what convinced them the most was that those who donated a large amount of money could receive Shan Ren Tang’s bill information every month, and it was clear how much money was used and where it was used.

Although their money is donated, it is not for greed, nor for someone to raise a concubine, but for the common people. This has a respectful and soothing effect on the hearts of the businessmen who donated the money.

Seeing that Jiang Tian was talking about the Queen Mother, Fan Wei smiled, "Okay, President Jiang can speak up if he has something to say, you are local businessmen, and as the parents and officials of Yangzhou City, I am naturally biased."

"Your Excellency is wise." Jiang Tian sighed in praise. He has been in Yangzhou City for many years, and he has to say that he has caught up with the good times now. Governor Lin's incorruptibility is obvious to all. Even now, Fan Wei is willing to protect these businessmen.Jiang Tian said in a low voice, "Caomin heard the news that after Mr. Xu, who was in charge of Shanrentang, left, it was taken over by Zhangxiu Imperial Physician of Shanrentang. The Cheng family gave Zhangxiu Imperial Physician South Street a set of five-entry mansions. There are two beauties purchased with a lot of money. It's just for appearances, it is said that the Cheng family gave [-]% of the shares of the Cheng family's medicine to Imperial Physician Zhang."

"Is there such a thing?" Fan Wei's face turned cold, and he looked at Jiang Tian with burning eyes.

Jiang Tian hurriedly said, "If it weren't for the evidence of the people and the material, how dare the grassroots talk nonsense?" He sighed and said, "It was such a glorious time when Mr. Xu founded Shanrentang. The merchants in our medicinal material store, don't Regardless of whether you have become a drug supplier or not, no one is not convinced. Now Master Xu has only been gone for a few months, alas, even if I wait for the businessman to know the inside story, I am really sad."

"We merchants, we all know that when we do business, what we can buy is worse than what we can sell. How can there be high-quality and cheap things in the world. If the Cheng family bribes the imperial doctor Zhang, the future profits will naturally come from the common people. "Jiang Tian sighed worrying about the country and the people.

Fan Wei thought for a moment and asked, "It seems that all the witnesses and evidences are in your hands?"

Jiang Tian smiled slightly embarrassed, and said more respectfully, "Otherwise, Cao Min and the others really dare not disturb your lord with non-existent things."

Fan Wei already had an idea in his mind, and told Jiang Tiandao, "Take care of those things, and I'll handle this matter, so don't reveal the slightest bit of information."

As soon as Jiang Tian heard that he knew something, he got up and bowed, "Yes, Cao Min listens to your lord's orders."

Fan Wei went directly to the Governor's Mansion.

Due to the limited age, Shan Ren Tang was established by the Empress Dowager after all. This kind of thing is a scandal after all, and Fan Wei doesn't want people to know more about it.Fan Wei is a man of his own mind, and he already has a countermeasure in mind, but he is not comfortable with what he does as a magistrate, and he has two parents-in-law, the governor and the governor-general, and he is not self-sufficient in everything.

Lin Yongshang is upright and upright, "In my opinion, Xiche, it's better for you to go directly to the book and ask the emperor what he means. Although those businessmen are eager to fight for the territory, in the end, the royal family's face must come first." Fan Wei is getting older , now we have a brand name, and it was given by Ming Zhan, who is used to buying people's hearts, and said to Fan Wei, "We have been together since we were young, and our childhood sweethearts have grown up, and the relationship is different. Xiaowei, you are like My brother is like a brother, I have the character 'Zhan' in my name, why don't you just use the character 'Che'." Then he ordered He Yu to grind the ink and spread the paper, took the little wolf pen, and used his own rotten dog meat On the snow-white rice paper, two characters "Xiche" were written.Of course Fan Wei was very moved, but he took the initiative to ignore the words of his "childhood sweetheart".

To show his closeness, Lin Yongshang directly called Fan Wei by his name.

What Lin Yongshang said was exactly what Fan Wei thought.With Lin Yongshang's opinion, Fan Wei went back to write the memorial.Originally, Fan Wei thought about asking Lin Yongshang to co-sign, but Lin Yongshang had no such intention.However, Fan Wei thought it over, he also had to give Mr. Lin some unexpected benefits.

Ming Zhan received the memorial and did not show it to the public, but it was inevitable that he would discuss it with the Queen Mother Wei.

Empress Dowager Wei was talking to the old Marquis Yongning, when she saw Ming Zhan coming over, she smiled, "Why are you here now?"

The old Marquis Yongning got up and saluted, Ming Zhan waved his hand, "Grandpa, sit down."

The old Marquis Yongning continued to perform the ceremony persistently, and only when Ming Zhan and the Empress Dowager Wei sat on the couch together did the old man sit down.Ming Zhan asked about the body of the old Marquis Yongning first, and the old Marquis Yongning smiled, "The old minister is all well, but Your Majesty, look at the Qing Dynasty."

Ming Zhan likes to hear others praise him for being thin. He is very happy when he hears it, and he puts on an air, "Nowadays, the court is very busy. It's good to be thinner, Mingjun is not fat."

Could it be that Mingjun has something to do with being fat and thin? What kind of heresy is this?However, the old Marquis Yongning naturally wouldn't be serious with Ming Zhan, instead he said, "Your Majesty, for the sake of the Queen Mother, you must take care of yourself."

Ming Zhan smiled triumphantly, "Take care, take care, grandpa rarely enters the palace, so let's ask Feifei to come over for dinner tonight."

The old Marquis Yongning was afraid that Ming Zhan would come over and have some secrets to share with the Queen Mother Wei, so he wanted to take the opportunity to resign, because he didn't want Ming Zhan to keep him for dinner, so it was not easy to leave at this time.

Ming Zhan was very concerned about his grandmother's family, and asked, "Is there something wrong with Grandpa entering the palace?"

"It's the old minister who thought he would not enter the palace for a long time, so he came here to pay his respects to the empress." Old Yongning Hou said.

"Oh, I thought grandpa came here for Feng Mingli's affairs." Ming Zhan asked old Yongning Hou gossipingly, "Did grandpa know?"

Ming Zhan asked so bluntly that it was hard for the old Marquis Yongning to say that he didn't know. He nodded and said innocence, "This is a matter of the Marquis of Zhongyi's family. The old minister would never dare to talk about it."

Ming Zhan smiled and waved his hands, "You are Feng Mingli's grandfather, it's okay to say a few words, it's human nature. Let me tell you, Feng Mingli is very independent, he said he would give loyalty to Hou Zhongyi and Aunt and Li."

Even the Empress Dowager Wei didn't know about the reconciliation.Ming Zhan burst out at this time, and the old Yongning Hou was speechless when he first heard it. After a while, he said, "Young people are talking nonsense, and the phlegm has fascinated you for a while, so don't take it seriously." After all, I still have to say something for my grandson. sentence.In fact, regarding the matter of the Zhongyihou's mansion, the old Yongning Hou Men'er is clear, and now the Wei family lives in her mother's house.Moreover, the old Yongning Hou initially felt that Feng Mingli had a good IQ, and he did a decent job of retreating, and he was a teachable person.

Now that Feng Mingli uttered such wild words, the old Marquis Yongning was not calm anymore.What a slapstick boy, seeing that the title is about to be obtained, what nonsense are you talking about!

The old Yongning Hou entered the palace to visit his queen mother's daughter.However, this old fox has long since matured. Although he has great opinions on the affairs of the Zhongyihou family, the old Yongninghou will never express any opinions on it. He just hangs around in the palace and tells others that he still Not dead yet.

You said, the emperor is only the grandfather, and the empress dowager is the only biological father.

Who would dare to offend the Yongning Hou Mansion?

Ming Zhan laughed, "Hey, I have suffered a lot about these concubine sons and concubine sons. Feng Mingli's heart, others don't understand, but I seem to understand a little bit."

The old Yongning Hou also sighed a little when he thought of Ming Zhan's difficulties before.At that time, he lived with his head back, fearing that the Feng family brothers would be jealous, who would dare to take the initiative to show intimacy with Ming Zhan.Now the Yongning Hou Mansion is able to stand up, relying on Ming Zhan.

Ming Zhan didn't know what the old Marquis Yongning was thinking, so he just took out the memorial and handed it to Queen Mother Wei, "Mother, have a look?"

Empress Dowager Wei read it at a glance, and sighed, "This happened in half a year here. The imperial doctor is also an official of the court, so just follow the rules. There is no need to hide it, just go and investigate."

Ming Zhan nodded, "That's what I mean too, alas, I'm afraid that my mother's reputation will be damaged."

Empress Dowager Wei took a look at Ming Zhan, "You don't know how many corrupt officials there are under the emperor, and I think the reputation is quite good. My Shanrentang is just an imperial doctor who is greedy for money, so my reputation will be damaged?"

"Hey hey, talk casually, talk casually, slip of the tongue." Ming Zhan coaxed the Empress Dowager Wei, "Mother, you are not happy today."

The Empress Dowager Wei would never admit that she was upset by the outrageous incidents of the Zhongyi Hou family. She understood what the old Yongning Hou meant, who would not favor his own people.What's more, Wei's and Feng Mingli's tenacity is based on their parentage, which is the original intention of the Empress Dowager Yu Wei. As Ming Zhan said, Ming Zhan has had enough of the hardship of not distinguishing between his son and concubine, and the Empress Dowager Wei is also annoyed by this from the bottom of her heart.However, Mrs. Fang and Xiao Fang's family were born in the Yuehou Mansion, and they don't look at the monk's face but the Buddha's face. The Yuehou Mansion is now observing filial piety. If Fang's daughter is involved in a scandal at this time, it will also have many disadvantages for the Yuehou Mansion. .

Ming Zhan gave his mother a slap on the shoulder twice, and the Empress Dowager Wei smiled and pressed Ming Zhan's hand, "What are you doing, don't call your grandfather a joke."

The old Yongning Hou said with a relieved smile, "Your Majesty's filial piety is a blessing for the Queen Mother." One loss and one gain, although the marriage is not very satisfactory, but it is much better than other people, at least food and clothing are safe, and There is a son who strives for success. Generally speaking, the youngest daughter is considered a lucky person.

Ming Zhan regarded the matter of Zhongyihou's family as just watching a play.

However, it is obvious that the drama of Zhongyihou's family is more lively than that of ordinary people's family.

Originally, it was just that Wei's Feng Mingli's mother and son were dissatisfied with Fang's old lady, Zhongyi and Hou, who were too biased. Zhongyihou thought, persuaded Feng Mingli, and then took Wei back to the mansion.

Unexpectedly, things changed unexpectedly for Hou Zhongyi, and for some unknown reason, on the second day after Feng Mingli resigned as the eldest son, rumors spread on the streets of the imperial capital that Feng Mingli was not good. The godfather and Wei's gossip about being disrespectful to his mother-in-law was based on his origin in the Yongning Marquis.

Moreover, rumors are raging, and there are intensified turmoil.

Anyway, before Feng Mingli resigned as the eldest son, everyone in the court knew about it, but now there are such rumors, people will inevitably ponder, there may be no reason for it.

People thought too much, others were just muttering in their stomachs, but the censors wrote a letter first, demanding a thorough investigation of Feng Mingli's crime of irrebelliousness and Wei's crime of disobedience.

No matter Feng Mingli or Wei's, they are not only related to the clan, but also related to Ming Zhan's mother clan.At this time, the censor's book did not mean to see the emperor's inclination.Of course, it is normal for officials to hate and pick on foreign relatives.

Ming Zhan has been on the throne for a long time, and he is no longer the impatient boy he used to be.Ming Zhan directly pointed the spearhead at Hou Zhongyi, and asked Hou Zhongyi if there was such a thing, how could Hou Zhongyi admit it, so he naturally shook his head and repeatedly denied it.

Ming Zhan blocked Yu Shi's mouth with Zhongyihou's answer, "The Zhongyihou said that there is no such thing, you are so rumored, and you really listen to the wind and rain, so you don't even think about it. Zhongyihou is Famous filial sons, if the wife is really not virtuous and the son is not filial, where will it be your turn to participate in the book, the Zhongyihou will be the first to agree."

The Marquis of Zhongyi responded immediately, "Yes, Your Majesty, now I don't know who made rumors about my ministers on the street, deliberately slandering my ministers' wives and ministers. This person has evil intentions inside and treachery outside. Please investigate carefully and return my wife. The courtier's justice."

Ming Zhan nodded, "That's what it means. Tian Wanhua, you are in charge of the people in the imperial capital, so I leave this matter to you. It's not like these rumors have spread all over the sky for no reason. Let me check it out. Let's see who is slandering the clan for no reason."

Then Min Jinghou proposed to come to the imperial capital for a long time, thinking about the meaning of returning to Fuzhou, Ming Zhan smiled and said, "There is no hurry. Earlier, Shanqihou clamored to welcome his father back to the imperial capital. At first, because his body was not well adjusted, father The emperor is unwilling. It’s just that the father and son of Shanqihou happened later, and the father wanted to come back to see, we are all relatives of the family, since the father wants to come back, you can stay for a few more days.”

As soon as the court heard this, there was a lot of discussion. Li Pingzhou first asked, "Your Majesty, when will the Supreme Emperor return to the imperial capital, do you have any confidence?"

"Well, it will take a month or two after all, and I will be notified when my father leaves." Ming Zhan smiled soothingly, "My sincerity is not in vain, my father finally agreed. By the way, my father has always For those who are used to living in Xuande Hall, the Ministry of Internal Affairs will clean up Xuanyi Hall, and I will move there some day. When Father Emperor returns, he will still live in Xuande Hall, the same as before."

In the era when the imperial power was supreme, people actually liked to ponder the meaning of the emperor's words.

For example, Ming Zhan said "When the father comes back...it will be the same as before", this sentence has a lot of meaning when heard by many courtiers, what is "the same as before".

In the past, the Supreme Emperor not only lived in the Xuande Hall, but also sat in the Zhaode Hall every day. Can this still be the same as before?

The minister was puzzled, but because of his face, he didn't ask many questions.

After all, there are people who are loyal to Mingzhan, and they can't help but ask the king in private to say a few words, "The Supreme Emperor has already taken the Zen throne, and the Xuande Palace has always been the residence of the king of a country. It is not appropriate for your majesty to move here" or something.

At this time, Ming Zhan would put on a selfless saintly face, making a group of people so depressed that they wondered if they made a wrong investment.Otherwise, if in the future the Supreme Emperor lived in the imperial capital for half a year and in Yungui for half a year, who would they be loyal to?

What a daughter-in-law and two mother-in-laws, it's really hard to take care of.

Hou Zhongyi didn't care about the matter of the Supreme Emperor returning to the imperial capital, so he went straight to Old Madam Fang to talk about court affairs when he returned to the mansion.

Mrs. Fang listened to her son's persuasion, but she didn't understand his son's intention at all, and said directly, "Since there is a censor attending them in the court, you should tell the truth. You can see clearly what happened that day , Now that you have endured so cowardly, their mother and child have nothing to fear, and in the future, there will be times when you will be in trouble."

Hou Zhongyi sighed, "Mother, there is no need to mention the past. In the afternoon, I will go to my father-in-law's house to bring Wei back. Mother doesn't like her, so I just want to see her less. I have already invited him to be the eldest son of Mingli." Feng, he will definitely become a noble in the future."

"I was not supposed to take care of these things. It's just that you have to think about a few small things. Such a brood of children will have to live by Mingli's face in the future." Mrs. Fang Said with a cold face.

"There is nothing wrong with Ming Li growing up so big, and his conduct is also good. In the future, the younger brothers should live with the elder brother." Zhongyi Houyu still understood such a big matter, and insisted, "Mother, the rumors outside are not just for nothing. It was spread for no reason, and I have already reported to His Majesty, begging His Majesty to uphold justice for me, and see who is plotting against the Zhongyihou Mansion behind the scenes!"

The old lady Fang said disapprovingly, "No wind, no waves, if it weren't for Wei Shi and Ming Li's disgrace, who would go outside and gossip."

Hou Zhongyi has been the Marquis for many years, he still has some knowledge, and he is not stupid, so he immediately realized, "Mother, I didn't say any gossips from outside, how could mother know that it was Wei Shi and Ming Li What about gossip?"

Old Madam Fang's face froze, but she immediately came back to her senses and said righteously, "What you said, there are censors who have participated in them. If it wasn't for their gossip, which censor would know."

Hou Zhongyi was suspicious in his heart, but he didn't want to argue with his mother on his face, and he didn't want to doubt anything, but he couldn't help but said in disappointment, "This person exposed the ugliness of our house to the outside. Those who went for Wei Shi and Ming Li did not know that they were going for their son's title. Mother, if this rumor is confirmed, Wei Shi and Ming Li will naturally not have a good son, and the son will not avoid the fault of lax family management. .”

"Speaking of this, maybe the mother feels that the son is timid and useless, but it is the truth. The Yongning Hou Mansion is here, and the Wei family has no major faults. Mingli is my eldest son. He is based on emotion, reason and law. It belongs to him. Ming Li and the Wei family are charged with unfilial piety by causing family ugliness. If they lose their reputation, Ming Li will not be able to be a noble. Then, I am afraid that the title of Marquis of Loyalty will be broken by my son!" Zhongyi Hou threw the ground so loudly that Mrs. Fang froze for a moment.The old lady Fang said displeasedly, "What are you talking about discouraged? Do you only have an in-law from the Yongning Marquis Mansion? The Fang family is also the mansion of the Marquis Mansion, and the Wei family is still the Duke Mansion."

"My mother knows better than I how the Fang family is doing now. My mother is the empress dowager's aunt, so she is naturally decent. Fang's family is the empress dowager's natal family. It has been a year since the emperor ascended the throne. If he intends to promote the Fang family, how can the Marquis Yue Died tragically on the street. Not to mention the Wei family, the Wei family is only the daughter of a concubine, no matter how much Wei Guogong loves his concubine sister, he will not be an enemy of the Yongning Hou Mansion for the sake of the Zhongyi Hou Mansion." Zhongyi Hou's words were strong, "Mother, We all know in our hearts that Wei Shi and Ming Li were wronged in the mansion before. Not to mention anything else, Wei Shi is the big house, Fang Shi and Wei Shi are both concubines, and according to the etiquette, we should go to the big house to pay respects every day, but, These years, they haven't been there once."

"Of course, there is also the fault of the son. The son doesn't like her. At the beginning, the Yongninghou Mansion was down, and the son ignored her. Naturally, the Yongninghou Mansion would not stand up for her and offend our mansion." Zhongyi Hou's voice turned weak, " It's the same reason, when the natal family was in decline, the Wei family naturally had to endure it. Now that the natal family is so prosperous, how can the Wei family have to bear it? Not to mention the Wei family, even if I change my son, I will not bear it anymore."

"In front of Mrs. Wei, you are the mother and elder. My son will never disobey you and cause you to be wronged. However, now that the matter is in front of the imperial court and the title is not guaranteed, I beg my mother to consider the overall situation."

Hou Zhongyi earnestly persuaded his mother once, he thought that if his mother was settled, the matter was under control, but unexpectedly, at this moment, the accident suddenly happened!