The Heart of the Red Chamber

There are various things happening in Chang'an every day, and the few incidents of Jia's family are just a little splash in the big water pool of Chang'an. Most people will not focus on this, except Some women who were very bored in the backyard were secretly chewing and laughing, and most people would not put their energy on such trivial matters.

Wang Ziteng successfully served as the left servant of the Ministry of War. A bachelor in the cabinet who was on the wrong team was quickly impeached because of his lack of background. It was handed over to Dali Temple for trial. Although there is no result yet, according to the current charges, at least it is the charge of exile for thousands of miles.Wang Ziteng successfully filled his position, entered the cabinet and began to participate in politics, and now he is also entitled to be called a prime minister.

However, Wang Ziteng was still cautious as always, and did not get carried away because of his promotion. This made the emperor very satisfied, and he valued him even more.

However, Wang Ziteng also has hidden worries in his heart. He has heard the emperor complain in the cabinet that the treasury is short of money, and it is difficult to do anything.An old fox like Wang Ziteng naturally knows why the treasury is short of money, not to mention the issue of taxation, but that officials from all walks of life are used to reaching out to the treasury.For example, if the Zhen family picked up the driver four times, who could afford the money, they had to borrow it from the household department, especially the money spent for the emperor, who would open their mouths to ask for it back!Since there is no one to ask for it back, it is inevitable to borrow a few more sums when you don't get together.The same is true for other officials. If they need to spend money on something, they should first find a more upright name to intercept part of the tax money that has not yet been handed over to the treasury, make an IOU, and then the repayment will be indefinitely.

Naturally, the Wang family also owes money from the household department, which amounts to two or three million taels. To put it bluntly, it was owed by the four major families when they were still in Jinling, and they never thought of paying it back. Qian Jinshang didn't enjoy a piece of money, but had to bear the national financial crisis caused by it. No one would be taken advantage of by this!Of course, since the Supreme Emperor was still alive, the emperor had no choice but to hint, not to say it explicitly, and only hoped that someone could understand the holy will and share his worries.

Wang Ziteng finds this kind of problem very difficult. First, the Wang family can't afford much cash now. Second, whoever does this early bird can certainly please the emperor, but it is bound to give those borrowed money away. All the dignitaries in the family were offended, especially, two of my in-laws, one historian and one Jia family, were involved. Fortunately, the historian said that the old Hou Ye was still alive, so he could always hold back, but the Jia family was hard to say. I guess As soon as I opened my mouth, what was waiting for me was crying poor.

In desperation, Wang Ziteng had no choice but to go to the historian's house first. Master Shi's health was not as good as before. Shi Ding and Shi Nai were all by his side to wait on him. The other one was left by the younger brother of Master Shi who died young. Posthumous son Shi Sheng.Shi Sheng's biological father died during the war, and in the end, only Shi Sheng was left behind, who was taken to his side by Master Shi to raise him, treating him like his own son.

Shi Sheng has always liked to read, and has always hoped to become an official through the imperial examination. After all, he is different from his two cousins. After he came out, he was asked to inherit. Shi Sheng was not the son of the old Marquis, so there was no title to inherit. In this age, it was obviously unrealistic to join the army. , he has nowhere to go.

It's a pity that he was not in good health, barely passed the provincial examination, but fainted in the examination room in the second year's general examination. According to the doctor, he should take good care of himself in the future, and remember not to work hard. This judgment is obvious Cut off his imperial examination path, in desperation, he had no choice but to stay at home, and he became depressed.

Seeing Shi Sheng's pale face, Wang Ziteng sighed secretly, but didn't say much.

After Wang Ziteng told the matter to the old master, the old master was silent for a while, and finally sighed, and said: "It's a trouble for Teng! The historian will pay back the money no matter what!"

Shi Ding was the first to hold back, and shouted: "Father, our family owes more than 40 taels of silver to the household department. If we have to pay back so much money, can the silver fall from the sky?"

Shi Nai also said on the side: "Father, brother is right, so much money, is it going to make our family go bankrupt? The emperor is still here, and the emperor thinks it will not be like this!"

The old master coughed twice, and snorted coldly: "You also said that you are the emperor! Now the emperor is in charge! If you can hide for a while, can you hide for a lifetime? Besides, if the two of you didn't make mistakes before , there is naturally room for change in this matter. But now, if you don't take this opportunity to show your loyalty to the Holy One, don't you two just spend your whole life as idle marquis, eating and waiting to die, waiting for someone to see us? The family is not pleasing to the eye, turning over the old account, let the ancestors' foundation be overturned?" Speaking of this, the old Hou Ye coughed violently, almost unable to breathe.

Shi Sheng hurriedly served rock sugar and pear juice to the old Hou Ye, and said: "Uncle calm down, the two cousins ​​are just worried, if the Shi family is the first to stand out, it will definitely cause public outrage!"

Old Hou Ye was silent for a moment, then looked at Wang Ziteng, Wang Ziteng smiled wryly in his heart, this Shi Sheng is a sensible person, what a pity!But he said: "Elder, don't worry, even if it is based on the friendship between the two families for several lifetimes, my nephew will not let the historian become a target of public criticism. My nephew will contact more colleagues and pay back as much as I can for the time being. , it is naturally inconspicuous!"

Old Master Shi was not a fuel-efficient lamp, so he immediately hit the snake with the stick, and said directly: "Then trouble Zi Teng to deal with it, if Zi Teng is sent in the future, as long as there are still people in the Shi family, they will not be held responsible! "

This is just to say, Wang Ziteng took it for granted, but said: "Why did Shibo say that, the four big families are in harmony, and the Wang family can't stay out of it!"

Shi Ding hesitated for a while, and finally said: "Brother Shi, have you ever visited my aunt, Jia's?"

Wang Ziteng nodded: "When I turn back, Wang will go to Jia's house. I think the old lady is also a sensible person!" But he thought in his heart that he would do his best first, and if Jia's family didn't listen, he couldn't help it.

Master Hou Shi nodded in relief. He still has a lot of affection for his sister.

After leaving the Shi family, Wang Ziteng heaved a sigh of relief. Even if the Shi family is here for the future of the Shi family brothers, this time even if the family goes bankrupt, they will have to pay back the money. No matter what, let's go to Jia's house and talk about it later!Hey, just worrying about others, my own debt is also a problem!Sitting in the carriage, Wang Ziteng frowned and sighed secretly.