The predecessor who was scumbag by me was the emperor

"Your Majesty, all the things that the servant gave to the Empress Dowager just now have been returned. Aunt Fan said that the Empress Dowager is tired and resting, and no one will disturb her." Mr. Du looked at Zhao Zhang in fear. The mother and son were afraid this time. A estrangement is about to arise. He has been in the palace for so many years, and he has never seen the queen mother treat the emperor so coldly.

Zhao Zhang didn't say anything, but asked Du Fucheng to continue to send some things there at night. He also went there once, but he didn't see anyone, so he had to wait until he saw someone tomorrow to have a frank talk.

Zhao Zhang reminded him: "The matter of Mr. Shen's stay in the palace made the people below shut up. I don't care who spread the word. Once it gets into the ears of the queen mother, let them wash their necks and wait." There are countless people, and they are all his confidantes. If the news can leak out in this way, he will have to re-examine his ability.

Director Du shook his legs, bent down and said, "This old slave will definitely warn them."

After a while, Wei Jinrong sent a young eunuch to invite Zhao Zhang to come over. It was an appointment between the two of them, so Zhao Zhang put aside his work and went to Fengxi Palace.

Although Wei Jinrong has not been formally canonized yet, she has already moved into the Fengxi Palace where the empress lives. She just came back, but the palace is only organized and there is no rush at all.

Zhao Zhang chose Wei Jinrong not only because of her mentality, but more because of her ability. A woman who seems to be in the harem for three years, but can be recognized by the queen mother and the empress dowager at the same time, has no scheming. It just so happens that he also wants to have a capable woman to manage the harem for him, and it is not a long-term solution to bother the queen mother all the time.

"The emperor is here, and my concubines welcome the emperor." Wei Jinrong grew up in the south of the Yangtze River. He has a graceful figure and a gentle smile, like a spring breeze blowing on his face. Every word of Wu Nong's warm words can make people feel tender.

Being able to be sent to the palace, Wei Jinrong's appearance is naturally not bad, even not much worse than Chang'an's number one beauty, Liu Yanwan, and she has outstanding literary talents, and she was also a famous talented woman in Jiangnan when she was young.

Normally, such a woman would be loved no matter who she entered, but unfortunately she met Zhao Zhang, a man with a strong heart and a strong will, who was doomed to be alone for the rest of her life.

"Let's get back on your feet, you just returned to the palace, there is something you can do tomorrow."

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your compassion. The Fengxi Palace is almost furnished, and the concubines haven't done anything." Wei Jinrong asked the palace ladies to serve hot tea, and then let them exit the door.

The servants didn't know about the transaction between the emperor and the empress, they only thought that they were in harmony, and when the emperor came, naturally they would not be an eyesore.

"Sit down." Zhao Zhang pointed to the opposite chair.

Wei Jinrong had a deep chat with Zhao Zhang last time, and her attitude towards him was much more sincere. When she learned that he didn't get close to the harem because of the love in her heart, she even secretly praised: "Good man!"Although the heart of this good man is not on her, she appreciates such a dedicated man.

Her personal nurse suggested to her to have a child with the emperor. After all, the emperor cannot be childless, but Wei Jinrong felt that now is not a good time. When the emperor and that person are in a strong relationship, it is appropriate for her to intervene Vicious woman?

In the future, if the two of them broke up, I might still have a chance, but right now the most important thing is to keep myself safe.

She recounted the things she had been away during this time, focusing on who the queen mother met and what she did.

"The Empress Dowager learned about the accident in the Pu family half a month ago, and the concubine was not strict in discipline, so she let a farmer pretend to be a vegetable delivery farmer to enter the villa, and sent a letter to the Empress Dowager. Afterwards, the emissary took poison and committed suicide Even the concubine couldn't find out who he handed over to."

Zhao Zhang nodded and said nothing. It is impossible to hide such a big news. It is not easy to delay it until half a month ago.

"The empress dowager was furious because of this matter, and she even got angry with the concubine, saying that the concubine was sent by you to monitor her old man, and said some nasty things. The concubine also explained to her that the crimes of the Pu family were heinous, and hundreds of people sued the imperial concubine. The evidence is solid, the emperor has no choice but to do it, although the queen mother is angry, she is also reasonable, and only said that you should not hide it from her."

The truth is true. As a biological mother, knowing that she was deceived by her son and deliberately sending her to another place, this is a serious crisis of distrust, and this is the reason for the empress dowager's anger.

But Zhao Zhang didn't dare to gamble. If the queen mother had stayed in the palace and had learned the news early in the morning, then the Pu family would not have been ransacked so easily.

"Did any accident happen along the way? Did any strangers meet the Queen Mother?"

"As far as my concubine knows, but..." Wei Jinrong bit her lower lip, not knowing whether she should say something, but seeing the sharp eyes of the emperor, she had to calm down and said, "When we approach Chang'an, that is, Two nights ago, there was water leakage in the carriage shed of the post station. At that time, a guard said that he seemed to have seen a shadow flashing into the wing of the Queen Mother, but afterward, the concubine went to inquire and did not see any strangers. , there is no more to this matter, other than that, everything was safe and sound along the way."

Zhao Zhang was silent for a moment, and then said: "I see, you have done a good job, and you will be the master of the harem from now on. Let's not talk about the empress dowager. The empress dowager is also getting old, so it's not good to let her work hard, but some Take things slowly, and give her the old man a period of adaptation."

Wei Jinrong understood that the emperor was afraid that the queen mother would be unhappy if she handed over the power of the harem all at once, but since there is a queen in the middle palace, it is only natural that the affairs of the harem should be managed by the queen.

"The concubine knows, but the empress dowager may have annoyed the concubine because of this incident, so she may not be willing to let the concubine be the queen." Wei Jinrong secretly made a small report.

Zhao Zhang glanced at her, and said flatly: "I chose the queen, it's up to me whether you want it or not, you just need to do your part."

"Thank you, the emperor, for your attention. The concubine will do her best." With these words, Wei Jinrong seemed to be reassured, and smiled more sincerely, "There is one more thing. The concubine is lonely in the palace. Come to live in the palace?"

"You are the empress, it is your right to summon the noble lady and wife, but you don't have to stay for a short stay, so as not to spread bad rumors."

"It's because the concubine didn't think well." Wei Jinrong quickly admitted his mistake, it's good if we can meet each other, and I can have someone to accompany me when I'm bored in the future, it doesn't matter whether I stay overnight or not.

And what the emperor said was right, Liu Yanwan was going to get married soon, and it was inconvenient to live in the palace for no reason, not to mention that she was originally from the palace, so it made people think about it for nothing.

As for the person Liu Yanwan was going to marry, Wei Jinrong hadn't met him yet, so he really wanted to see what kind of person the emperor was thinking about for him.

When the emperor left, Wei Jinrong immediately recruited an official in charge to speak on his behalf: "Tomorrow, I will ask County Lord Liu to hand over the sign, saying that the palace misses her, and let her enter the palace to speak."

The father-in-law just came to serve her, and he doesn't know much about the empress's character, but just looking at that gentle and soft face, he also lowered his voice two points, "Yes, the slave will go in a while, the empress wants Have you had dinner yet? Eunuch Jia from the Imperial Dining Room came over in person and asked what dishes you like."

Wei Jinrong touched the phoenix hairpin on her head, and said with a smile, "Then let Eunuch Jia come in." When she was Zhaoyi, she was not treated like this. The whole palace knew that she was from Jiangnan, but every time she went back to the imperial dining room, she would be sent to the imperial dining room. The meals here are very casual, and it would be nice to have one or two Jiangnan dim sum.

He Yan heard the movement from Shen Jia's side and came over immediately. As soon as the door opened and closed, he rubbed his frozen hands and said, "Young Master, County Magistrate Wang sent someone here just now, saying that he had prepared a reception banquet." , please go and have dinner."

"What time is it?"

"It's two quarters past the unitary hour."

"Has Qin Zhang Yuan passed by?" Qin Zhang Yuan is arranged in the courtyard next to Shen Jia, and any movement can be heard, He Yan shook his head and said: "I sent people to deliver things over there in the afternoon, but Master Qin's entourage Said that he is still resting, and has not heard the sound of the door opening yet."

"Then let's go and have a look." He and Qin Zhangyuan came together, so it's not easy to act alone.

When he went to the next door to knock on the door, it was still the door opened by the entourage. When he saw Shen Jia, he immediately opened the door, "Master Shen is here, please come in."

Shen Jia didn't go to the bedroom, but went into the yard and asked him, "Is the headmaster awake?"

"Yes, my lord is reading a book. The account book was sent over there just now, but my lord confiscated it. I must wait for you to receive it together. Wait a moment, and I will ask my lord to come out."

Shen Jia waited for a short time, and saw Qin Zhangyuan coming out wearing a thick cloak. He saluted and greeted him, and the other party also greeted him politely. The two walked out side by side, and soon met County Magistrate Wang The servants of the family took them to the restaurant with a lantern.

The snow fell harder and harder, Shen Jia put on the hood and wrapped the cloak tightly, but still felt cold, and couldn't imagine how to live further north.

Seeing the lights from a distance, Shen Jia felt that his hands and feet became warmer, and he walked faster. Qin Zhangyuan walked side by side with him. Because the wind was too strong, the two of them didn't dare to speak on the road.

Entering the hall, Shen Jia saw a room full of officials waiting, and explained embarrassingly: "I'm really sorry, I overslept, and kept you adults waiting for a long time. Shen is here to accompany you."

Shen Jia was wearing an ice blue quilted gown, a black cloak on the outside, and a circle of pure white fox fur around the hat. When she walked in from the snowstorm, the audience was stunned when the hood was taken off.

They have never seen such a young and handsome imperial envoy. Although he is a deputy envoy, they have heard that he is already a doctor of the household department, and they have heard that this is a celebrity in front of the emperor. Looking at it this way, it is only natural that he can be favored .

"It's not too late, we've just arrived, and the dishes haven't been served yet, Lord Qin and Lord Shen, please take a seat."

Qin Zhangyuan naturally sat in the main seat, Shen Jia sat down on his left, and Wang County Magistrate sat on his right, and the wine and dishes were served one after another, which was much richer than the lunch meal.

As the chief envoy of Qin Zhangyuan, he started, "This trip north, the emperor ordered me and Mr. Shen to visit various places. The winter is heavy and the people suffer from disasters every year. The emperor is very sad. It just so happens that this year the imperial court bought many The food for disaster relief has been shipped to the counties one after another. You don’t have to be too nervous. You still have to do what you did before. Mr. Shen and I are just looking at the account. If you have any questions and want to report them to the court, you can also talk to us. "

Hearing these words, officials, big and small, guessed that the imperial envoys were here to supervise the disaster relief matters. This is also common, but it is impossible not to be nervous. It's limited, how to divide it, and how much to divide it is unclear, but if a commoner dies of starvation, he will be considered disadvantaged in his work. I just hope that these two adults can hold their hands high and don't pick on the bone.

Shen Jia didn't say much, Qin Zhangyuan is an old minister, and he understands the twists and turns of the officialdom better than him, since he intends to make people misunderstand that they are here to supervise the disaster relief, it is naturally better.

Moreover, he could tell that although everyone was friendly and respectful to him, they disapproved of him as a deputy envoy. He was young and inexperienced, and winning the emperor's favor probably depended on his appearance. How capable could he be?

Qin Zhangyuan only drank a glass of wine at the beginning, and then no one toasted to drink, the reason was ready-made: drinking was a mistake.Shen Jia was relieved, it was hard to say what would happen if she was drunk outside the house.

The meal was quite harmonious, and the account book that was originally accounted for was also sent to the room of the Qin Zhangyuan after the meal. It seems that the county magistrate Wang has no intention of temporarily making false accounts. The problem is that the fake accounts have already been prepared at ordinary times.

Qin Zhangyuan himself was impatient to see these things, he was a very pure civil servant, and the officials below were relieved to see that the imperial envoy was him, and they must have expected that he was not very proficient in practical affairs.

"You can just read these in my room, and let them relax their vigilance. I will ask questions in person tomorrow. If you have any questions, you can also tell me. Although I am the envoy this time, what should I do?" It's up to you to do it." Qin Zhangyuan was very polite to Shen Jia, the two had worked together before, so they were familiar with each other, so they got along more casually.

Shen Jia was not too polite, it would be much easier for him to do things if someone was there to help him, after all, everyone would not pay too much attention to his tender-faced deputy.

Shen Jia had a good night's sleep in the afternoon, was full of energy at night, and was not sleepy at all, so she went through the food account for nearly three years overnight, and compiled three tables.

When I showed it to the Qin Zhangyuan the next day, he also sighed: "I heard you say how simple this form is in court before, and I was a little suspicious. I only understood it after seeing these three forms. It is my shallow knowledge. Even someone like me who is not good at accounting can understand it, and I can find problems at a glance. If such a form is submitted everywhere, it will really save everyone a lot of trouble."

Shen Jia said with a smile: "Although accounts can be falsified, reports can also be falsified, but the report can see the conclusion more intuitively. The superiors only look at the results and not the process. This kind of report is also for the convenience of the superiors to make decisions. The officials below will be fine."

"Well, although there are some doubts, but you have been busy all night, go to rest first, let's stay in Tongzhou for three to five days, there is enough time for inquiries."

Three to five days can't be too detailed, but Shen Jia and the others didn't come here for the purpose of checking the accounts, and even the emperor didn't ask them to find out anything, they just walked around and had a look. In fact, Shen Jia was a little puzzled and felt that she Taking a long trip is more like Zhao Zhang deliberately distracting himself.

Thinking that the queen and queen mother should have returned to the palace at this time, he felt a little strange. The next step should be the empress ceremony, right?Could it be because of this that Zhao Zhang dismissed himself?Are you afraid that he will rush to snatch the marriage on impulse?

Tsk, how is it possible?If I had been so impulsive, I would have rushed into the palace with a knife and fought with Zhao Zhang as soon as I knew Zhao Zhang's identity. How could I wait until today?

He went to catch up on his sleep. When he woke up, it was just past noon. After eating something casually, he went to the Qin Zhangyuan. The latter had already questioned the officials in charge of food and taxes individually.

When Shen Jia passed by, County Magistrate Wang was standing under Qin Zhangyuan accompanied by Xiaoxin, and he broke out in a cold sweat in the winter, "My lord, I really don't know that this kind of situation still exists, Xiaguan..."

Seeing Shen Jia coming in, Qin Zhanyuan raised his hand to make him stop talking, and said to Shen Jia: "It's really tricky, the accounts for the whole year of the year before last year are fine, the weather was good last year, and the court did not receive any information from Tongzhou. There is a memorial of the disaster, but there is [-] shi of relief food expenditure in the account. As a result, there was not a grain of grain left in the granary last year. This year's grain tax came up, except for the part that was turned over to the court. Baishi."

"This... the two adults clearly found out that there were indeed people affected by the disaster last year. Although it was not too cold last year, such a snowy day was enough to make the people suffer. The officials are also sympathetic to the people, so they asked the people below to visit. It has subsidized some of the villages and towns below, and there is still a detailed ledger at the lower official's side, so let someone show it to the two adults."

Shen Jia and Qin Zhangyuan looked at each other and agreed. Two thousand shi of grain is not a small amount for a county government. If the county magistrate Wang really used the grain to subsidize the people, it would not be considered a serious crime. Most of them are not reported.

County magistrate Wang ran to get the account book by himself, and not long after handed a book to Qin Zhangyuan, who gave it directly to Shen Jia. Shen Jia looked through it carefully, and the records were very detailed, including how much food was given by which village It was very clear, and the total number was right, but Shen Jia noticed that the ink on the ledger was still very new, and when the ledger was opened, there was a strong smell of ink, but it was only a year ago, and no one checked it, so it was newer. It also makes sense.

"Okay, let's do this first, let's go out for a walk today, and ask Mr. Wang if we have any questions."

"Yes, sir, I will send someone to lead the way for the two adults."

The snow outside stopped today, the snow on the ground only reached ankles, it was cold, but Shen Jia got used to it after going for a walk.

Because of the snow, the shops in the county were closed early, and few people were seen on the street. The houses in the county were relatively solid. This level of heavy snow did not cause the collapse of the houses, but there were still people in the streets and alleys. The beggar who died of freezing, Shen Jia still felt a little sad when he saw a government servant pushing a handcart to collect the corpse.

The Jin Dynasty was not so backward and poor, but it was not rich enough to take care of every vulnerable group. Even in the 21st century, there are still beggars wandering the streets.

"I have been to Tongzhou before, because there is a direct access to the canal, it has always been prosperous and prosperous, and it is not too cold here, and the people can live through the winter. It is rare to hear that there is a catastrophe. Presumably the magistrate Wang is also concerned about it. Common people, he has only been in Tongzhou for three or four years, and he has been fine for the first few years, and he can't ruin his future just for two thousand shi of grain."

Shen Jia always felt that County Magistrate Wang's expression just now was very strange. If he just moved the food rashly, he wouldn't be sweating profusely from fright, right?

"The lower officials can send someone to ask around. It doesn't take much time. You just need to know that the county government did transport grain to the countryside last year."

Qin Zhangyuan nodded, and did not object to Shen Jia's cautious approach, but only said: "If the weather is good, we should start as soon as possible, otherwise the wind and snow will be heavy, and the road will be even more difficult."

"Yes." Shen Jia sent two guards around to inquire about the news that day. He had a good memory, and he remembered the whereabouts of the food written in the ledger. He picked a few places that were close and asked the guards to inquire about it.

This kind of thing must be easy to ask, and the time is not too long, Shen Jia originally thought that one round trip would be enough, but when the two guards came back that night, they both had strange expressions.

"How to say?"

Pan Mo and Pan Chen are two brothers, and they are also the two with the best martial arts among the ten guards. After they came in and closed the door, they said, "My lord, I feel a little strange. Our brothers visited four villages in total. Those who arrive will always say that there is such a thing, and the number of questions can be accurately matched, as if they are specially waiting for us to ask.

Our brothers have a lot of mind, after leaving, we went back from other small roads, pretended to be people from the rivers and lakes passing by, found a family to borrow water, and asked some questions casually. As a result, several villagers in a row said that there was no such thing. Did not see any food. "

The subordinates were worried that each village was different, so they tried the same method to inquire about the news in a few different places, but the answers they got were all the same, and no food was distributed. "

Shen Jia smiled, thinking that the county magistrate Wang is also very smart, "I must have known that we would ask, so he was prepared to deal with the people who connected with him. He certainly didn't expect that you would have doubts about the answers of passers-by. Look at it this way. Come on, there is indeed a problem with the two thousand shi grains."

Since Shen Jia discovered the abnormality, let them walk around the county town tomorrow to ask questions without too much scruples, and put out their identities, hoping to gather some useful information.

That night, County Magistrate Wang didn't sleep all night, and sat in the study with his master's staff all night. The master asked anxiously: "My lord, someone has indeed gone to the countryside to inquire about the news. I will do as you said, but in case Once they ask a few more times, they are afraid of asking the locals."

"I can't care about this anymore. It's really like this. I can only explain that some people have no points and others have some points. Can he still ask each family?"

"Today, I see that Mr. Qin is holding a few pieces of paper to ask questions. The data on the paper is distributed in a strange way. I heard that Mr. Shen is reading the account books. Is he the one we should guard against?"

"Shen Jia is only the No. [-] student in high school this year, and he has only been in the household department for a few months? It would be good if he can understand the account books. What can he accomplish? It is estimated that he has someone who understands accounts by his side."

The feeling of waiting is the hardest. County magistrate Wang ordered people to guard the courtyard of the two adults. He also knew that the people sent by Shen Jia had returned, but he couldn't hear what they said. Three hundred imperial guards were still guarding the government office Well, if he had a bad intention, the three hundred imperial guards could kill him.