Survival countdown

In Hongzhou Mansion, hundreds of people poured into the rice shop street, shouting: "Open the door, we want to buy rice!"

"My rice tank has bottomed out, and if we don't open a store, the whole family will go hungry."

"Why didn't we open the store for three days in a row? How do we live? I thought I opened the store every day, so I didn't prepare much rice. Right now I'm borrowing food from neighbors and relatives!"

The people were very anxious, and some of them jumped onto the steps of the rice shop and raised their hands and said, "Everyone, everyone! Look—" He pointed to the wooden board on the door: "'The government buys grain, but there is no rice to sell'. For the sake of his future and to be a good official, Cao Si's senior officials oppressed us poor people and refused to let us live! The grain merchants want to leave us with rice. The officials insisted on robbing us of our rice, and now that the grain merchants are on strike, Hongzhou has no grain to sell!"

The people looked at each other in blank dismay, and when they heard that it was a high official, they were afraid and angry.

Seeing this, the people above waved their hands vigorously: "The grain merchants are on strike, there is no way to buy grain, and there is nothing to govern. Cao Si will not give us a way to survive, why can't we sue the officials? Why don't we go to the Cao Si Yamen and ask the high-ranking officials? Let Liang Jiang Let the officials see how impoverished the people under Cao Si’s rule are! As long as we are united enough and our voices are loud enough, our unsatisfied grievances can be heard by the heavens, so that the officials in the capital and the saints in the palace can see it. Look at the suffering of Liangjiang!"

In the crowd, some nails that had been buried long ago responded to the situation and encouraged the people who were emotionally motivated to go to the Caosi Yamen to protest together.

Crowds of people were surging, passionate, and they set off in a mighty way, pouring out from various rice shops in the mansion, and gathered at the Caosi Yamen. Looking at the crowds, it was a huge area, and it was estimated that there should be thousands of people.

The grain merchants went on strike, the people complained, and the public opinion was soaring. The officials in Liangjiang who were responsible for monitoring and admonishing couldn't wait to seize this opportunity.

***

In the Chuigong Hall, the ministers discussed the strike of Liangjiang grain merchants. Some people thought that Zhao Baiyu was arrogant, conceited, radical, forgot his original intention, and caused harm to the people. He should be dismissed from office and held accountable.

"...The people complained, and the grain merchants went on strike. This is one of them. As the saying goes, 'The low price of grain hurts the farmers, and the high price of the grain hurts the people'. If the Cao Si envoy cannot complete the annual quota required by the court in time, it will definitely affect the farmland of this year and the next year. The harvest and the people of Liangjiang, this is the second. The third is that the supply of granaries is not timely. If the peach blossom flood and autumn flood flood the farmland this year, or the disaster of the Yellow River burst last year occurs again, the rice grain for disaster relief cannot be sent in time. Hungry for thousands of miles?" Zhang Shuoling said generously: "Therefore, the minister advises that someone from Liangjiang should be selected to take the post of Cao Sishi first, so that grain merchants can open the market, solve people's livelihood problems, appease people's grievances, and then buy grain. "

But there are also people who speak out, saying that Zhao Baiyu has a gentle and upright temperament, has always enforced the law impartially, and is dedicated to serving the people.

"As the saying goes, people don't fight with officials. Zhao Baiyu has only been in Liangjiangman for half a year. No matter how aggressive he is, even if he is really a corrupt official, it is impossible to cause chaos in a short period of time. There must be something strange." Fan Wenming, the minister of the Ministry of Industry, came out and said: "Zhao Baiyu went to Liangjiang to handle two major cases. He caught illicit salt and broke the smuggling of water transport. He must have offended the local Jiangxi merchants and was dug together. It is not impossible to be framed."

Zhang Shuoling immediately jumped out to accuse: "Joke! According to Fan Shilang's words, the officials in Liangjiang have no eyes to see and no brains to think, so they all come to wrong Zhao Baiyu? Love is all malicious framing, even Zhao Baiyu's servants beating the shopkeeper of the rice shop is also a frame? I am curious, what kind of talent is it that makes officials, businessmen and people in a province hate him so much! It is Zhao Baiyu Don’t know how to behave? On the contrary, he is slick and eloquent, and he is said to have a bodhisattva’s heart, otherwise, how can the half of the capital officials in the court say good things about him?”

The deputy envoy of the household department was not happy to hear it, so he immediately jumped out and said: "If you listen to one side, you will be dark, and if you listen to both, you will be clear. Everything has two sides. Is it possible that everyone should respond to your words? Is this court still your Majesty's court? Wouldn't it be more appropriate for the Tao to be yours?"

"You! Talking nonsense!" Zhang Shuoling immediately knelt down: "I can demonstrate my loyalty to His Majesty and the imperial court. I dare not have any intentions of forming cliques for selfishness or clouding the sun. I hope the Holy One will learn from you."

On the day of Zhao Baiyu's weak coronation ceremony, the deputy envoy of the Ministry of Household Affairs failed to attend for some reason, and once again missed the good opportunity to make friends. Got the slander from Zhang Shuling, a bad old man?

Besides, the essence of the household department is to collect money and debts. Which one is not quick thinking and eloquent?

The Deputy Envoy of the Household Department continued to fire, loudly: "I heard that many of Zhang Shizhong's disciples came to Liangjiang to serve as officials? Zhang Shizhong's ancestral home is also in Liangjiang? No one knows what Liangjiang's officialdom is like. No one knows better than Zhang Shizhong. First, a private Yan led out the two Zhejiang provinces, saying that someone from the Shipping Department stole the hulk ship to pretend to be an official ship, and then a Tian Yingzhuo suddenly committed suicide in fear of crime. The study caught fire and all evidence was burned. Is there such a coincidence in the world? After Zhao Baiyu's tenure is over, Liangjiang can't change a group of officials?"

Zhang Shuoling was so angry that his heart ached: "You...you slandered your colleagues! You have ulterior motives!"

The deputy envoy of the household department: "It's just a reasonable question. Why is Zhang Shizhong in a hurry? Zhang Shizhong can't help but listen to the side, insisting that Zhao Baiyu take responsibility, ignoring his previous efforts for the people and the country. What the minister thinks and says, It's the same as Zhang Shizhong—”

"Are you admitting that you prefer to listen to and help Zhao Baiyu?"

"If Zhang Shizhong admits that he has prejudice against Zhao Baiyu, I will not hesitate to express my feelings." The deputy envoy of the household department said frankly that he was partial to Zhao Baiyu, "Your Majesty, the matter of the two rivers is clear at a glance. Unless the officials are outraged by the sky, but Zhao Baiyu has only been in Liangjiang for half a year, and he has been fighting for the court. How can he provoke the sky? I am afraid that he did not offend the merchants of Jiangxi, and he was united and punished."

Chen Shidao, who did not speak out in the team, silently applauded the deputy envoy of the household department.

Gao Tongzhi cleared his throat and wanted to stand out, but it was Zhao Zaizhi who spoke first: "Your Majesty, as the saying goes, 'the people don't fight with the officials', unless the lives of the people are endangered, and the people complain. She Ji'an, if Jiangxi Cao Si's envoys are upright, and the people are safe and peaceful, there will be no incidents of strikes by grain merchants and boiling public opinion."

Chen Shidao rolled his eyes generously.

The deputy envoy of the household department opened his eyes wide with anger, and breathed air through his nostrils. He did not hide his emotions no matter how the five princes made eye contact. Fortunately, he was caught by Du Gongxian quickly, otherwise he might roll up his sleeves and make a fuss with his temperamental temper. The joke about the fight in front of the imperial court came.

Gao Tongzhi's speed of stroking his beard was accelerated, and there was a situation.

Zhang said that Ling frowned happily, yes, this is what he wanted to say, no favoritism, no favoritism, he deserved to be a just and strict minister.

"But what Fan Shilang and others said is not unreasonable. Everyone present is clear about Zhao Baiyu's character, character, and talents. When he first arrived in Liangjiang, he made a bold move to deter corruption and smuggling in water transportation. The method is radical but effective. , and will not hurt the people one cent. Look at his actions, advance and retreat in a moderate manner, and will definitely not take countermeasures. You have talents in the world, you should know that businessmen value profits, and they will not fail to see that they are investigating smuggling of salt and water transport. It seriously damaged the interests of Jiangxi merchants. Therefore, the government bought grain, but the grain merchants refused to sell rice. At this time, the grain merchants went on strike, and public opinion broke out, one after another. Can’t it be seen that it is the revenge of Jiangxi merchants?"

The joy on Zhang Shuoring's face disappeared immediately, and Chen Shidao rolled his eyes back. The Deputy Envoy of the Ministry of Household Affairs only needed Zhao Zaizhi's words of "it's not unreasonable" to go from flaring his teeth and claws to being calm and calm.

Gao Tongzhi was stroking his beard faster and smiling. Zhao Zaizhi was indeed prejudiced against Zhao Baiyu. He was biased because of his personal affairs, but he was still impartial when it came to court affairs and major issues. , Act fairly, otherwise, His Majesty will not rely on you for many years.

Emperor Yuanshou asked, "What do you think of Cheng Jie?"

Zhao Zaizhi: "In my humble opinion, I will not remove Zhao Baiyu from his official position, nor impose any punishment on him, but let him deal with the three issues of public opinion, grain purchases, and grain merchants' strike as soon as possible. Virtue is not worthy, so it is no pity to replace the lack of Cao Si envoy. However, the strike of grain merchants and public opinion are difficult to dispel. The court needs to express its position. It is better to send imperial envoys to patrol Liangjiang, so that the officials and people of Liangjiang know that His Majesty always cares about Liangjiang. , can also deter people who are impetuous due to the two cases of salt smuggling and water transport smuggling, and scare some people who are ready to move, it can be said to serve multiple purposes."

Emperor Yuanshou twirled his jade finger and thought for a moment: "It's a good suggestion, I will consider it. This matter will be discussed later. Let's talk about other things. How about the Northwest War?"

"Your Majesty, there are frequent reports of victories in the Northwest War..."

***

At the end of the early dynasty, the sixth prince was summoned into Wende Hall alone.

After the ceremony, the sixth prince stood aside and waited for Emperor Yuanshou to answer.

Emperor Yuan Shou was looking at a painting. A picture of thousands of miles of rivers and mountains made by everyone, just came out, became famous all over the world, and became the emperor's favorite collection.

"Xiao Liu, do you want to go to Liangjiang?"

The sixth prince immediately knelt down: "The minister relieves the worries of the king, and the son shares the worries of the father. It is only right and proper. The son and minister are willing to do the work of dogs and horses."

Emperor Yuanshou waved his hand casually: "Right now, you and I, father and son, have no status as monarchs and ministers. To be honest, do you want to go?"

The sixth prince pouted suddenly: "I don't want to go."

Emperor Yuanshou asked with interest: "Why?"

The sixth prince: "The two rivers are dangerous, and there is no one there for my ministers. If I go there, I might be eaten alive."

Emperor Yuanshou put on a straight face: "Nonsense! Trying to destroy your prestige by letting other people's ambitions destroy your prestige, so greedy for life and afraid of death, who can see that you have been born and died in the Jizhou Army for five or six years?"

The sixth prince was confident and confident: "In the military camp, you fight for your life, you don't play tricks, you don't have any tricks, even the formation of troops is upright, how can it be like Liangjiang's [-] officials?"

Emperor Yuanshou pretended to be angry: "I shouldn't have softened my heart and let you go to Dingzhou. I'm used to being wild, and I can say anything!" Suddenly the subject changed, "If I intend to send you to Liangjiang as an imperial envoy, you Do you dare to go?"

The sixth prince said awe-inspiringly, "Even if you are not afraid of the vicious Turks, let alone Liangjiang's helpless civil servants?"

Emperor Yuanshou joked: "Aren't you afraid that you can't play with them?"

The sixth prince: "Break all laws with one force. My son is an imperial envoy on behalf of Tian Xunhun, and he is visiting privately on behalf of the emperor in disguise. Who dares to play tricks on the emperor?"

Emperor Yuan Shou looked at him fixedly, with sharp eyes, and the latter did not avoid him, without any guilt, as if he was speaking openly and honestly.

Throwing out the imperial decree that had already been written, Emperor Yuanshou said, "Then go to Liangjiang, if it breaks there, it is God's will, don't blame God and others."

The sixth prince clasped his fists together: "My son will fulfill his mission!"

***

The Palace of the Sixth Prince.

As soon as the sixth prince returned to the mansion, he took a cold bath for himself. The spring was cold, and he had a severe fever in less than two hours. He knocked on the door of the Imperial Medical Bureau overnight, and the next day there was news that he was seriously ill and needed to rest.

The East Palace and the fifth prince came to visit that day, and seeing that the sixth prince had a fever and began to talk nonsense, they ordered the imperial physician not to be stingy with the medicinal materials, and let the sixth prince take a good rest, make sure to take good care of his body, don't worry about government affairs, and someone will help him share his worries.

After finishing the gesture of brotherly love, Donggong and the fifth prince left Shi Shiran.

In the carriage, the harvest of the two of them today is: "Father has issued an order to order the imperial envoy to visit Liangjiang privately. It is obviously to investigate Zhao Baiyu, but in fact it is to investigate Liangjiang's officialdom. Whoever is the imperial envoy at this moment will be able to clear one." It's a pity that I don't know who took the order of Liangjiang officialdom for my own use."

Prince: "It doesn't matter if it's the sixth brother."

The fifth prince nodded in agreement, and then he was puzzled: "Second brother, what do you think the father's attitude is towards the two rivers? Last year, Ma Deyong capsized the official ship and dumped more than 100 million shi of grain! For ordinary people, it would have been the fault of the nine clans. It's a big crime, but he, Ma Deyong, has 180 official co-signed guarantees, and there are so many people co-signed to protect the performance, who can not think of cronies?"

Although Bao Zuo of the 180 official joint name was concealed at first, but after a long time, the paper could not cover the fire, and some news was leaked.

"According to my father's temperament, I will definitely send someone to investigate. Zhao Baiyu has no friends and no party. He is indeed a good candidate to investigate Liangjiang, but he is not the only one. Huo Jingtang went into battle to kill the enemy, and his family was sent to the mud in Liangjiang. In the current situation where there is a market strike and no food to buy, aren't you afraid of Huo Jingtang's chills?"

The fifth prince thought about it, couldn't figure out what Emperor Yuanshou was thinking, and vaguely had a terrible conjecture, but the prince, who was always smarter than him, didn't take it seriously.

"On the coast of the land, could it be the king's ministers." The prince's tone should be like this: "Huo Jingtang and Zhao Baiyu have one article and one military, and they control the military power of the three armies. Even if Huo Jingtang knew that Zhao Baiyu was going to Liangjiang, he should thank the emperor for his kindness."

Not the crown prince, the fifth prince who didn't have the concept that all the world belonged to him could only nod his head, and get used to following the East Palace, so he let go of the strange feeling in his heart.

"A radical Zhao Baiyu, and an imperial envoy who visited privately in a micro-service, is clearly intensifying the situation between the two rivers. I don't understand it now, but I don't need to understand it, just look at it."

The fifth prince agreed thoughtfully.

***

As soon as the East Palace left, the sixth prince, Huo Zhaowen, immediately changed into ordinary clothes, got into the carriage of Zheng Guogong's mansion, left the city, and went to the ferry to change waterways.

Zheng Chuzhi was worried about his nephew who was still burning: "How about resting for a few days before leaving?"

Huo Zhaowen closed his eyes: "It will be troublesome when the second brother recovers. Right now they can stand by and watch, probably because there is no prince involved in Liangjiang. Once I don't show up for a long time, they can quickly guess that I am an imperial envoy. I will definitely not be reconciled to the officialdom in Liangjiang, so I have to arrive in Liangjiang immediately before they react."

Zheng Chuzhi had a headache, and immediately said: "The two rivers have been cleaned up, and the vacancies are full of fat. You have the Jizhou Army... You have soldiers and money, and your majesty's thoughts are clearly revealed!" But he quickly realized that opportunities are accompanied by huge risks, and he was excited His mood eased a little: "I can figure out the key, Dong Gong also understands, if he knows, he will definitely see you as a thorn in his side, and try every means to make you die in Liangjiang!"

He reacted: "We have to suppress the news of your leaving Beijing."

Huo Zhaowen: "It won't take long, at most half a month will be discovered." Opening his eyes suddenly, there is obvious ambition in his eyes: "I am not afraid of confronting my second brother head-on, as long as there are two rivers, the party members of the Eastern Palace can What can I do?"

Zheng Chuzhi made up his mind a little: "There is an old department in Liangjiang, shall I find some people to protect you?"

Huo Zhaowen looked tired: "No need."

Seeing this, Zheng Chuzhi didn't dare to say any more, and sent him into the boat properly, watching the boat disappear into the sky.

***

"Wulang!" Yan Bing rushed in, took out the letter sent by Kang Wang Feige without hesitation, and said, "Here's the news. Sure enough, an imperial envoy will be sent for a private visit!"

Zhao Baiyu: "Who did you send?"

Yan Bing shook his head: "I don't know. This time it is well hidden, and no one knows the identity of the imperial envoy, nor when he will arrive in Liangjiang. Wulang, who do you think His Majesty will send to investigate you? Will he target you?"

Zhao Baiyu's face was as usual: "Compared to Liangjiang's officialdom, I'm just a little thumb. What's the use of targeting me?"

"I'm afraid of what might happen." Yan Bing frowned, "However, the grain merchants went on strike, and more and more people gathered at the gate of Caosi's yamen, and the public opinion spread all over the country, and it will soon destroy the reputation of Qingtian that you have worked so hard to accumulate before. .”

"Don't really treat the common people as fools."

"But..." Yan Bing muttered: "How smart can you be to be easily incited to block the door of the yamen and call you a corrupt official?"

Those words were so ugly that he couldn't bear to listen to them, and he was very angry for Goro.

"Huh?" Zhao Baiyu was quite surprised: "Can you see someone instigating it?"

Yan Bing stared: "So obvious!"

"I underestimated Yan Bing, I'm sorry." Zhao Baiyu laughed, "Since it can be seen that he was instigated, why didn't you find out that the faces blocking the gate of the yamen these days are the only ones going back and forth?"

Yan Bing's mind turned: "They all take money to make trouble?"

Hiring people to pretend to be ordinary people to gather crowds to demonstrate and deliberately create public opinion has been a time-tested routine since ancient times.

"It is true that there are people who have been incited, and most of them can calm down the next day. It is not because of how many books they have read, they may not be able to read, nor is it because they are well-informed and intelligent, but because of the survival wisdom of ordinary people. They have a far keener insight into danger than many scholars, high officials and small officials."

Ordinary people are so busy living a difficult life, how can they have time to make trouble every day?

The grain merchants were closed, and Zhao Baiyu decided to open the granary the next day to ensure the basic supply and demand of the people in the mansion.

At that time, the stunned look of Dou Zumao and others made Zhao Baiyu feel funny when he thought about it, maybe he lived in a rich place for a long time, and he forgot the function of a granary.

Zhao Baiyu: "However, the public opinion has been stirred up, and the officials from the two rivers jointly participated in the concert. The imperial court wanted to send imperial envoys to investigate me. I still have to solve the problem. Opening the granary every day is not a solution."

Yan Bing: "Then what are you doing now?"

Zhao Baiyu got up and spun around a few times, with wide sleeves and long swings flying, there was a charm that Yan Bing couldn't describe, but his heart was beating a little fast.

"How am I today?"

"Too beautiful." Yan Bing said honestly, "I can't tell, it's not the beauty of a girl's house, it's just the kind that is—"

"Very fragile? Very harmless?"

"That's right!" Yan Bing nodded again and again: "There is still a very haggard feeling." Then he found that Zhao Baiyu was wearing a white gown today, with thin marks on his waist and even the ribbon that tied his hair. It is pure white, but if you look closely, you can find hidden patterns in hidden places such as cuffs and necklines.

"Goro, why are you dressed like this?"

Zhao Baiyu put his hands in his hands and said with a smile: "I wanted to see Princess Changping but I was rejected, but it's a pity that I have specially designed this outfit." In fact, I don't have much regrets, I don't rush to meet the princess. "I'll change my clothes first and go to the Ganshang Guild Hall."

When he came out again, he was dressed in soap-colored clothes, which looked the same as usual, but it gave Yan Bing a feeling that Zhao Baiyu was down and out, which instantly made his heart ache.

"what happened?"

The clothes are neat, the fabric is smooth, and the hair is meticulous, and he feels haggard and desolate.

Yan Bing suddenly found it strange: "Was this clothes worn by Wulang yesterday? You went to the gate of the yamen yesterday to persuade the people to calm down, and told me to hide in the crowd and throw rotten eggs at you. Make a mark."

Then he found that the wrinkles on the clothes were very obvious, and the details such as the collar and cuffs were quite messy. Looking at Goro's face again, there were more blushes under his eyes, dull eyes, and pale lips. Goro haggard reasons.

Yan Bing suddenly had a flash of inspiration, and instantly understood: "Understood."

Glancing at each other, the two went to the Jiangxi Chamber of Commerce together, said their greetings to Chen Luowu, and were left hanging in the front hall for two hours before Chen Luowu came late.

"I don't know what you can do, envoy Zhao Cao is here." Chen Luowu cupped his hands as soon as he came in and said, "I won't delay my lord because the merchant's copper smells sour, so as not to pollute your integrity...Speak straight to the point, my lord." Who do you want to investigate?"

Zhao Baiyu lowered his posture and spoke softly. He turned his head to look at the people at the door, fearing that he would be seen humiliating, so he lowered his voice and said, "Can... let the grain merchants open?"

Chen Luowu laughed: "It turns out that my lord came here for this matter? Then I can only say regretfully that you came at the wrong place. Whether the grain merchants will open or not, it is up to the grain merchants to decide, and I can't say anything."

Zhao Baiyu was in a hurry: "You are the president of the Jiangxi Chamber of Commerce. If you give an order, don't all the merchants in the six routes in the southeast have to listen? As long as you speak, who dares not to give you face? You are like this, as long as you help me once, in the future you Ganshang, don't go too far, I can turn a blind eye!"

Chen Luowu took a step back, bowed deeply, and shouted loudly: "Anyone of our Jiangxi merchants who breaks the law and discipline, please speak up, and they will be dealt with according to the laws of the country! Don't be soft-handed, and don't need favoritism!" Then he straightened his back, shook his The sleeve said: "But the grain merchants are still open, I really can't help."

"You!" Zhao Baiyu looked anxious, "You really want to fight me to the end? I can kill the salt merchant and Tian Yingzhuo, and I can kill you too!"

Chen Luowu: "If I break the law, you can do whatever you want."

Zhao Baiyu was so angry that he shook his sleeves and left. After walking a few steps, he came back and stared at Chen Luowu. He swallowed his breath and forced a smile: "Tell me, what do you think of me to open the market? Why are you willing to sell the grain?" I?"

Chen Luowu: "It's not that I can do whatever I say... but the grain merchants want to make money, and they don't want to fight against the government. It's not that you, my lord, have done nothing. You sincerely apologize, no one Will hold on to it."

Zhao Baiyu: "How do you apologize?"

"Since ancient times, the most sincere apology is nothing more than three kneeling and nine kowtows. Of course, you won't be really asked to do this—you can just kowtow three times."

"Ridiculous!" Zhao Baiyu laughed angrily, "Showing the tail of a fox? You are dreaming about watching a play, it's really beautiful."

Chen Luowu: "My lord, why are you so anxious? I'm also making a suggestion. Whether you accept it or not is up to you. Anyway, the grain merchants are on strike and the yearly quota for grain purchases cannot be fulfilled. The court blames you for asking. What have we got to do with it? "

Zhao Baiyu: "Aren't you afraid that the grain will not be sold?"

"You're joking, aren't you?" Chen Luowu dusted off his robes, "There is no business that you can't do business with, except food."

"Okay." Zhao Baiyu pointed at Chen Luowu, "You join forces to trick me, I tell you, I, Zhao Baiyu, have a stiff head and even harder neck, if you want me to kneel to you, unless the sky falls, I will pay two rivers here with my life! "

After saying that, he left angrily. Everyone saw him haggard, irritable, and furious that day, like a trapped animal.

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The author has something to say:

Baiyu: Act, all for me.Then play music and dance!