Survival countdown

Employing two hundred workers for several consecutive days, wandering around the docks, water gates, and bridges all day long, there is no need to do hard work, just watch the tank boats coming and going, and check whether the commercial tax has been paid.

If the commercial tax is not paid, the person will be brought to the Minister of Water Transport of the Taxation Department, and they will be handed over to register, and the abacus will be used to calculate the amount of tax payable on the spot.

After Zhao Baiyu made a fuss at the wharf a few days ago, the merchants in the mansion changed their expressions and suspended the water transportation one after another. Some people took chances, and all of them were caught in the end.

The merchants in the mansion were panicked when they heard the news, their goods were delayed for a day, and the loss of money was uncountable. It seems that Zhao Baiyu's battle is not going to be a protracted war with them.

His broken water transport yamen can afford it, but their small business can't afford it at all!

So every now and then, someone asked to see Staff Officer Yang, and wanted to explain the situation to the Ministry of Accounting through him. They paid [-]% of the winning money to the Ministry of Accounting. , to resolve this matter as soon as possible.

But the Ministry of Household Affairs remained silent. Staff Officer Yang only said that they were already thinking of ways to make the merchants calm down.

Zhao Baiyu fought with Hubu from a distance, and Hubu couldn't bear to say anything. No response doesn't mean there is no movement.

Such rhetoric is not acceptable to businessmen.

They are gods, sitting firmly on Mount Tai, with a long-term vision, able to win thousands of miles, but the deputy tax envoys are small people, and they can't afford to waste their pockets.

After paying workers' money for seven consecutive days, the deputy tax envoy couldn't bear it anymore.

After much deliberation, he decided to ask Zhao Baiyu to see him, but Zhao Baiyu wanted him to be anxious, and it was impossible for him to take the initiative to meet him. Therefore, the deputy tax envoy never even knocked on the door of the county prince's mansion.

He wanted to sit back and wait, but Zhao Baiyu couldn't even see a ghost if he didn't come to make a fuss.

According to Staff Officer Yang, Yu Shitai had already participated in Zhao Baiyu's appointment, and said that he was negligent in his duties because he did not visit the Water Transport Yamen every day.

As a result, a minister in the court spoke for Zhao Baiyu, saying that although he didn't go to the Yamen, he went to battle in person and went to many places in Shuimen Wharf to do business in the cold wind.

After being pushed and pulled down by you coming and going, Emperor Yuan Shou nonchalantly reprimanded Zhao Baiyu for breaking the rules of court officials, but praised him for his dedication to his duties, and warned court officials not to be too rigid sometimes.

Such a statement covered every aspect of the matter, no matter which party's emotions were taken care of, and no one was punished, the matter quickly turned around.

When the deputy tax envoy knew the result, he suffered from a serious illness and stayed at home on leave. He also wanted to avoid the "help advance payment first" of the errand, but Yan Bing squeezed more than 200 workers into his house, creating a commotion among the neighbors. She complained all over the world, and his wife and children were so annoyed that they went back to their parents' home.

The miserable deputy tax envoy got better, and the businessmen in the mansion came to him to complain.

"My lord, please think of something quickly. Since Mr. Zhao took office, the goods of our various companies have been parked for nearly a month, and we really can't afford to consume them. If the Ministry of Households can't solve this matter as soon as possible, forgive me and wait for the water transport." Yamen, at worst, make up for the [-]% winnings, which is better than getting nothing back."

"How can it be done?" The deputy tax envoy blurted out: "Everyone has a close relationship with the Ministry of Accounting and has cooperated with the Ministry of Accounting for many years. Don't you know what the Ministry of Accounting is capable of? What's more, if you admit defeat this time, you will have to pay [-]% more in the future. He said Boss Yun, your family has to make thirty trips to and from Nanzhao every year, and you pay nearly [-] silver taxes for each trip, which is not a small sum year after year."

Boss Yun also felt distressed when he heard the words: "Isn't this a difficult situation right now? If I can see some hope of breaking the situation, I will naturally know how to choose. But the Ministry of Finance has seen no movement, and I really don't know what to do."

Other businessmen chimed in.

Deputy Tax Envoy: "You can stay for two more days, and I will discuss it with Staff Officer Yang."

Speaking of Cao Cao Cao Cao's arrival, Staff Officer Yang opened the door and said: "The ferry, water gate and other places have been arranged, and we will leave the capital from Siqu respectively at midnight tonight. Remember that no matter who is obstructing the shore, you just turn a deaf ear to it. You don't have to set sail. Stay, the guard soldiers at each checkpoint will cooperate with you."

Hearing this, everyone frowned with joy, and each went back to pack up the goods and tank boats, and set off immediately when the time came.

***

The actions of the merchants in the mansion are very secretive, deliberately guarding against the dental workers, and the workers are only wandering around in a fixed place, so naturally they didn't notice the movement, but they couldn't hide it from the prodigal sons and rangers wandering around in the mansion.

As soon as there was any movement, someone immediately reported it.

Yan Bing informed Zhao Baiyu of this matter: "It seems that the posture is not small, and I really can't stand it! I will go to the dental shop to gather more people to catch big fish tonight!"

After a pause, Yan Bing suddenly thought of the collapse of the house tax. Yan Bing was a little worried: "They won't be prepared again, let's make another empty shot."

"Last time, the 10,000 boats caused the household department to lose at least [-]+ taels. In addition, there was no commercial tax recorded in this month. The loss is too great. It is impossible to use the house collapse tax trick." Zhao Baiyu rubbed the Buddha beads as if Thoughtful: "The merchants in the mansion are all on the move. I'm afraid there will be hundreds of tank boats leaving Beijing tonight. If you dare to spare so many tank boats at once, you may have come prepared."

Liu Dujian, who was listening, moved his lips, wanting to say something, but after a moment of hesitation, he chose to remain silent.

Zhao Baiyu noticed his expression and asked, "Does Liu Dujian have anything to say?"

Liu Dujian hesitated: "To tell you the truth, before the Duzhi envoy also served as a tax envoy, there was another man surnamed Lu who served as a tax envoy and was in charge of water transportation. He was caught and demoted to Beijing in the wrong place for being too radical. At that time, he also hired people to keep an eye on water gates, wharves and other places. The group of businessmen teased him for a few days. One night, he suddenly summoned hundreds of tank boats and set sail one after another. The momentum was overwhelming, and that lord led a large number of men to chase to the pier and ferry, watching the tank boat go away helplessly."

Yan Bing felt strange: "The tank boats must pass through Shuimen and other places when they go out of Beijing, and they only need to close the gates or release the floating boats to block the way?"

Liu Dujian showed helplessness: "This is the problem. The water gates, floating boats, bridges and other field affairs are usually fed, and they often turn a blind eye. At present, my lord, you are fighting with the household department. It seems that no one is partial to the field affairs. Help, just wait for the household department to submit a confession. I guess it has already been arranged. No matter who goes tonight, the field staff will not close the gate and release the floating boat, but will open the door for convenience as if they have not seen it. Even if the adults are present in person , and there is no way to divide into one body, you can only look at one hole."

Yan Bing resented: "Insidious and shameless!"

Liu Dujian: "Actually, my lord was able to force that group of people to stop water transportation for a month, which is already unmatched. Before that, Mr. Lu only lasted for eight days, and the public funds in the yamen could not support it. By the end of the year, the memorial will be canceled It was deliberately stuck again, so that the deficit was serious, so it was caught as a joint performance."

Yan Bing rejoiced: "It's a good thing that Deputy Lao used the money."

Zhao Baiyu thought it was true: "Deputy envoy Lao has done a lot of hard work."

The corners of Liu Dujian's mouth twitched: "..." Lao Fushi, who is used to living arrogantly, suffered a severe physical and mental blow. He has been bedridden for many days, and the 'culprit' should be thanked in advance.

...but it's really satisfying.

"Once the tank boat sets sail, leaves the wharf, the ferry, and the water gate, the sky is high and the sea is wide, and there is no way to stop it. However, although the workers in Yaxing are strong and healthy, they are flesh and blood and cannot compete with the big ship."

Zhao Baiyu pursed his lips and smiled: "It's not impossible. The agent of the tooth shop has a wide network and great powers. Yan Bing, you can go to the old man with a cigarette on his waist and ask if there are any abandoned hulls and long iron chains. Can you?" Within two or three hours, pull the abandoned hull to the ferry beyond the water gate. There is also a long iron chain that I want to cross the four canals, if it is not so long, it can be spliced ​​together."

"Okay." Yan Bing was puzzled: "But why do you want to have a long iron chain?"

Zhao Baiyu: "Make a simple river lock."

Liu Dujian and Yan Bing looked at each other in blank dismay, neither knowing what a river lock was.

***

On the towers of the seven major water gates in Kyoto Prefecture, the torches were brightly lit, the soldiers looked solemn, and the field supervisor looked at the pitch-black water.

At this time, on the tower of Xishuimen, Staff Officer Yang and the Field Supervisor stood side by side.

The field supervisor said flatteringly: "My lord, please don't worry, this is not the first time. The brothers know it well, and the tank boat will leave Beijing smoothly."

Staff Officer Yang stared at the river expressionlessly: "It's best to be careful, the new Mr. Zhao is not a good person. Remember that we are tied to the same boat. If you lose the fight, you will have no money to earn."

Superintendent of Field Affairs: "Your Majesty naturally understands the principle that if one prospers, one loses, one loses. Don't worry, unless Zhao Baiyu is present in person, anyone who dares to come to Shuimen to make trouble will be sent to prison!"

Staff Officer Yang smiled and saw a light appearing in the distance on the river: "Here we come."

The field supervisor hurriedly raised his hand and shouted: "Everyone, please be alert and get your spirits up! Watch out for the arrival of the boat—open the door!"

The water gate is wide open, the water is rushing, and the tank boats full of cargo are approaching one by one like a long dragon.

***

"Hurry up!"

The man in the short jacket waved his hands in front, yelling for the people behind to move faster. Twenty or so young and strong men rushed to the ferry beyond the water gate with iron locks in their arms.

"Good swimmers, get in a boat and cross the ferry with chains!"

The same situation happened at the other six ferries near the water gates. Among them, at the water gate of the Caihe River, the old man with a cigarette on his waist led people to pull a rotten boat with the keel blocked in the middle of the water. The chains are locked at the bow and stern respectively.

Then ask people to take a small boat, line up, block behind the iron chain, and wait quietly.

***

Liu Du watched the night, and heard three or two crows of jackdaws in the distant mountains and forests, and felt his heart beating like a drum, and suddenly heard someone shouting in front: "The water gate has opened! There is a light of fire - I saw the boat!"

Liu Dujian hurriedly rushed to the river bank, looked up into the distance, saw a little fire, and immediately said: "Quickly, light a torch to alert the people on the other side."

As soon as the torches on their side were lit, the other side responded with lights.

At this time, on the tower of Xishuimen, seeing dozens of tank boats passing through the water gate safely and sailing towards the ferry in the mansion, Staff Officer Yang's nervousness was relieved. As long as the transition is safe, he can sail far away, even if Zhao Baiyu is there in person, there is nothing he can do .

Staff Officer Yang stared at the boat at the front. He could not help smiling when he vaguely saw the sails falling under the moonlight.

"what happened!"

***

Everyone on the boat paid attention to the situation on the river with trepidation, until the bow of the boat passed the water gate and the ferry outside the city, the high-spirited hearts of the businessmen finally fell.

"Sail!"

The heavy sails were raised high, and it was obvious that the speed of the tanker was getting faster, but the boatman who was paying attention to the river in front narrowed his eyes and saw a little light in the middle of the river. Years of experience told him that something was wrong, and he quickly shouted: "There is a problem! "

The captain was flustered and came over to ask, "What's going on?"

Boatman: "It's dark at night, I can't see clearly, let's fire a cannon!"

Owner: "Let go!"

The so-called Soaring Sky 1 Cannon is also called the Sky-Drilling Monkey. After being ignited and released towards the river, it will explode, producing a dazzling fire, which can help them see the river ahead.

With a crisp sound of '咻', the No. 1 cannon exploded tens of meters above the river. With the speed of sailing the tank boats, I am afraid that they will collide with the rotten boats in just a moment. Even if they turn the rudder quickly and turn the direction, they will be stopped by the iron cables, and the tank boats in the lead will become obstacles to the dozens of tank boats behind.

The boatman showed fear and hysteria: "Withdraw the sails! Stop the ship—stop the ship!!"

The sails that had just been raised were put back in an emergency, the helmsman turned the rudder in the opposite direction, and several boatmen worked together to drop the anchor. Even though they moved so quickly, the huge hull still collided with the iron cables and the rotten boat, making a loud 'bang' sound, and the tank boat behind was caught in time. After finding the same thing, he quickly turned the rudder and broke down, and the river suddenly became a mess.

The captain pushed aside the people and ran to the bow: "What is this? Who pulled up the iron chain on the river? Go, quickly ask someone who can swim to find the source of the iron chain and untie the iron chain!"

As soon as the words fell, the boatman next to him stared straight ahead, raised his finger and pointed to the past and said, "Boss, what do you think is that?"

The captain looked impatiently, but saw bright torches lit up from the middle of the river one by one, illuminating the dark river surface, and also illuminating the small boats lined up five or six meters away from the iron chain. Adult men, there are people on each boat holding torches, and there is a man with a familiar face standing on the middle boat.

The man looked up and shouted: "Boss Yun, don't come here!"

The owner of the ship, Boss Yun, who often transports goods to and from Nanzhao, immediately turned pale and stunned when he saw this person.

The boatman wondered, who is this?

"I am a mere Zhima official, I am insignificant, I am afraid that you and the bosses do not know each other, so I simply report my family name - the capital of the Kyoto Prefecture, the Department of Commerce and Taxation, the Water Transport Superintendent!" Liu Dujian said with a smile: "Everyone has paid all the taxes. ?If you have paid the collapsed house tax in advance, please show the proof. If you haven’t paid anything, just pay it together immediately! It’s not easy for you guys to do business, we adults sympathize with your hard work, and call the housekeeper in the yamen early Come with me, I have all the ledgers and abacus ready, so I don’t have to bother you to go to the yamen to waste time!”

The owner of the boat at the back didn't know what was going on ahead, and while they were waiting anxiously, someone rowed a small boat to inform the tax department that the person brought the accountant and the account book to collect taxes in the Dukou River. shocked.

One after another, people reported the current situation of each water gate. Without exception, they were stopped at the ferry outside the city when they were setting sail. The abacus is smashed.

Staff Officer Yang was in a trance when he went down the city gate. He sprained his foot and stepped on the air, and his head was broken and bloody.

"No need." Preventing his subordinates from supporting him, Staff Officer Yang took out a handkerchief and wiped away the blood at random, his eyes full of confusion: "What kind of way did Zhao Baiyu go this time? A chain, a group of workers in a dental shop, just Stop all the hundreds of tank boats that have already left Beijing?"

There are many tricks, you can't guess, you can't figure it out, and the loss in this round is terrible.

"Prepare your horse and go to the Fifth Prince's Mansion."

***

Fifth Prince's Mansion.

The fifth prince sat on the grand teacher's chair in the main hall, staring at the ground for a long time.

Staff Officer Yang couldn't help saying: "Hundreds of tank boats have been stopped, what should I do? Your Highness? Your Highness—"

"Huh? Ah, the tax for tankers..." The Fifth Prince took a deep breath and said in a compromised tone: "Pay it, let them pay the tax."

Staff Officer Yang was in a hurry: "No way, Your Highness! Paying this money means that the Ministry of Households has admitted that the tax on water tankers has been handed over to the Department of Taxation. If I don’t show up tonight, I’ll just tell them that the Household Department has lost the battle with the Taxation Department’s Water Transport Yamen, and they can’t protect them anymore, and the winning money from entering and leaving the capital may be sent directly to the new Yamen instead of the Household Department!”

He was so anxious that he took two steps forward and tried to persuade the fifth prince to find a way to turn the situation back: "Same as last time, the certificate of collapsed house tax is issued. Anyway, the water transport business tax must not fall into the tax department's pocket!"

The fifth prince rolled his eyeballs, and asked in a dull tone, "Will you give me the money?"

Staff Officer Yang: "What?"

The fifth prince looked at him fixedly, with horrified eyes: "Last time, I issued a certificate for the collapsed house tax, and made up for the extra 10 taels on the account. This time, I'm afraid I will have to double it—will you give me the 10 taels of silver?" ?”

Staff Officer Yang stammered: "Humble...humble since I was a child, I was poor and had no property, I really have a heart to be humble, but, but..."

Fifth Prince: "Get lost."

"Resign in humility." Staff Officer Yang spoke quickly, turned around and left.

When he reached the door, the Fifth Prince suddenly said, "Come back!"

Staff Officer Yang turned around stiffly: "Is there anything else your Highness can order?"

Fifth Prince: "Tomorrow, you will go to several dental shops in the mansion to hire young and vigorous workers. Even if Zhao Baiyu wants to fix it, no one will be available."

Staff Officer Yang: "The money?"

Fifth Prince: "You pay first."

Staff Officer Yang: "..."

Looking at Staff Officer Yang's mournful face, the fifth prince's gloomy mood finally became a little more cheerful, and he finally understood why Zhao Baiyu asked the deputy tax envoy to pay the money in advance, and it really feels good to spend the money in other people's pockets to do things for him.

The fifth prince quickly thought melancholy, why isn't Zhao Baiyu the Donggongmen Party?

***

The sky was slightly bright and the mist was hazy. In a small teahouse near the water gate on the Caihe River, Zhao Baiyu drank the tasteless tea leisurely, but accompanied by the fresh air and the crisp birdsong, it was also very interesting.

With the sound of horseshoes, Wei Bo got off his horse and came to Zhao Baiyu to briefly report the situation: "Wulang, hundreds of tank boats have been stopped, and 49 boats have compromised and paid up the commercial tax. The remaining 95 tank boats The boat is stubbornly resisting, and it should be waiting for the Ministry of Accounts to come to rescue, but there is no movement at present... Will the Ministry of Accounts no longer issue tax certificates for collapsed houses?"

"No." Zhao Baiyu said firmly, "The small treasury in the East Palace is out of money."

If the money that Huainan Du Cao corrupted ink hadn't been discovered, Donggong would have to cut his flesh to protect himself. Zhao Baiyu's evil trick would definitely not work. Compared with the household department before the Huainan big case, he would only bring shame on himself.

Wei Bo's eyes showed surprise, admiration, and the pride of "my child is really promising": "Goro really has no plans."

"It's just a clever way to take advantage of the east wind." Zhao Baiyu was as modest as ever: "Those who refuse to pay taxes are also easy to deal with. Withhold their goods and store them nearby. The rent calculated according to the law is limited to seven days. Pay the merchant tax to redeem the goods. If no one comes to redeem the goods after the deadline, the government has the right to decide where the goods go-take my words here, if other people want to redeem which goods, they are welcome, because we will Sell ​​the goods pledged in the Yamen at a price below the market price."

Wei Bo: "I'll notify you right away."

Zhao Baiyu asked him to have a cup of hot tea before leaving, but Uncle Wei waved his hand and refused, a man who practiced martial arts was strong and healthy, and was not afraid of the cold wind, so he got on his horse and rushed to the ferry to do his errands.

***

Goods are money and the lives of merchants. Zhao Baiyu's method can control the lives of merchants.

Seeing that no one from the household department came for a long time, and at noon of the day, the workers in bunts were ready to move, and the Minister of the Water Transport Yamen, who was more rogue than a rogue, was staring at him, and the merchants were tortured psychologically.

When the sun set to the west, the sky changed color, and there were signs of rain and snow, the merchants were really afraid that the trip would be delayed, so they had to bow their heads and compromise, and lined up in the middle of the river to pay the merchant tax.

The boats were released one by one, and the river suddenly became clear.

When night fell again, all the water boats at the seven ferry crossings were released, and 23 taels of silver were recorded in the accounts of the Water Transport Yamen of the Metropolitan Taxation Department in one day.

Liu Du, who has never experienced the feeling of getting rich overnight in his life, watched the account book for a long time without saying a word. Although the money is not his, every calculation has passed through his hands, and the thrill of shortness of breath and trembling excitement still remains. at the heart.

Liu Dujian couldn't help estimating the business tax for a year, no, a quarter, if the daily income is 23 taels of silver, a quarter is 2000 million...

"hiss!"

2000 million silver!

If there is an unlucky year or a famine year, this will be worth a country's fiscal tax!

"No, no, it can't be calculated like this." Liu Du's supervisor patted his cheek and said to himself: "Tonight is an exception. It took a month of water transportation to receive 23 business taxes. If you add the batch of ten days ago , it is estimated that there can be 30 commercial taxes. Calculated in this way, the commercial tax on water transport in Kyoto Prefecture alone can be accounted for 400 million annually. However, the four canals in Kyoto Prefecture gather water transport from all over the world. , I am afraid that there is no one on the right."

***

Seven days later, Wende Hall.

Emperor Yuan Shou devoted himself to dealing with political affairs, next to him was the eunuch who poured tea from time to time, and next to him was Huo Jingtang who came back from the school grounds.

Huo Jingtang's hand hanging by his side was methodically playing with the beads under the cover of the crane cloak. Ever since he stepped into the Wende Hall, Emperor Yuanshou had deliberately left it to dry. He was not in a hurry, and after silently reciting the Heart Sutra three times, he changed to another one. Go on, anyway, Emperor Yuanshou never won the patience competition with him.

The eunuch glanced at Emperor Yuanshou's red handwriting that was so strong that it pierced through the back of the paper, and the veins on the back of his hand were protruding, and he couldn't help but secretly complained, why did he work harder again!

At this time, a little eunuch came in to report: "The third division, Du Zhisi, submitted the papers overnight."

The steps that appeared at the right time caused Emperor Yuanshou to throw a pen immediately: "Take it here."

Emperor Yuan Shou took the memorial and looked at Huo Jingtang from the corner of his eye while pretending to look at it. Seeing that the other party ignored him indifferently, he was secretly depressed, and read the memorial at a glance. Caochuan Shengqian in Kyoto recorded 23 yuan a day. Immediately, he was in high spirits, and carefully browsed it twice from beginning to end.

After reading it, You greeted the eunuch in disbelief: "Come and see, did I read one more cross, or one less word for money?"

After the eunuch finished watching, he couldn't explain how shocked he was, but he reacted very quickly and showed joy: "Return to Your Majesty, you read that right! It's not 23 yuan, but 23 taels of silver!"

The scheming emphasis on the words '23 taels of silver' made Emperor Yuanshou feel elated.

Emperor Yuanshou read the papers back and forth, and laughed from time to time: "Good! Good! A total of 23 taels of silver a day..." From time to time, he expressed confusion and was speechless: "It has been five years since the Water Transport Yamen of the Taxation Department was opened. The maximum taxable amount is only 30, so how can the taxable tax in the first month of spring this year catch up with last year's total tax?"

You can't think deeply about this matter. Once you think deeply, you can understand the secrets inside.

Emperor Yuanshou's face turned from joy to gloom, and finally turned expressionless, turning the jade wrench silently, unable to see what was going on in his heart.

The eunuch looked anxiously, feeling that someone was about to suffer.

Looking at the commercial tax received by the Water Transport Yamen in one day, the eunuch also felt flustered, probably because he also bought some property outside, and he was envious of the water transport that he had earned a lot in the past few years, so he sent the money to a distant place A relative acted as a godson and asked him to transport some finely crafted porcelain from Kyoto Prefecture to Jiangxi through the four canals, and then transported by sea via the inland river to the southeast.

The business tax is also inseparable from the Ministry of Household Affairs.

"Decree Zhao Baiyu..." After a pause, Emperor Yuanshou suddenly changed his words: "Ask Du Gong to come over and talk about the drama of the Water Transport Yamen in detail. I want to know how Zhao Baiyu bit off someone's mouth. Such a big piece of fat."

The eunuch led the order to go down.

Emperor Yuanshou looked at the brochure presented by Du Zhisi, and knew what Du Gongxian meant. If Du Gong didn't want to expose the secrets of the water transport business tax, he would not have presented the brochure to talk about it.

If the amount of water transport business tax has always been so large, then the East Palace and the people below have been eating their stomachs full of oil and water all these years while seeing the national treasury and internal treasury running out of money, and seeing that the emperor often worries about money, what are they thinking in their hearts?

Emperor Yuanshou smiled instead of anger, and his eyes fell on the three words Zhao Baiyu. The civil and military officials of the Manchu Dynasty were his imperial scholars, the disciples of the emperor who he personally praised, the crown prince was also appointed by him, and the household envoy was also his own son. , but none of them can match Zhao Baiyu, who was not a Jinshi!

After closing the booklet, Emperor Yuanshou suddenly found that Huo Jingtang was still there, and said angrily: "We will discuss the matter of recruiting recruits in the school field at another day. It's nothing, you can go back to your residence."

Huo Jingtang lowered his eyebrows and lowered his eyes, and made a full gesture: "It is my job to choose good generals for the court. Your Majesty has other important matters to deal with, so I just wait."

It's strange, Huo Jingtang has always been ignorant of his answers in front of him, one thing on the surface and another thing behind his back, which can often make him angry, why is he respectful now?

When Emperor Yuan Shou was puzzled, he caught a glimpse of the three characters Zhao Baiyu on the notebook, and immediately understood, his face turned dark, he grabbed the useless memorial and threw it over: "Get out of the palace immediately!"

Huo Jingtang nimbly dodged the memorial, looked up at Emperor Yuanshou for a long while, and suddenly lifted his lips: "Tch."

Emperor Yuan Shou stared, but Huo Jingtang had already swayed away before the attack occurred.

"..."

Emperor Yuanshou covered his heart and muttered to himself: "He who comes to collect debts is here to collect debts."

--------------------

The author has something to say:

Emperor Yuanshou: All children are debts. I must have owed this dead child a trillion yuan in my previous life.

Field affairs: the place where taxes are collected.

Broker: intermediary.