fake prince

Chapter 596

"Use veterans for the government soldiers?" Hearing this, Cen Rubai was taken aback, and hurriedly persuaded him that this was not only disgraceful, but also unable to form a defense at all.

"They were indeed veteran soldiers back then, but after 20 years, they are all old and frail now, I'm afraid..."

But Su Ziji had an idea in his mind and insisted: "They are old, but veterans don't die, they just wither. Back then, the East Palace made them bodyguards, and now I also make them bodyguards."

"That way they won't be humiliated."

"Think about it, if I just keep them in the mansion, not only will they be embarrassed, but even outsiders will say that I am trying to gain fame?"

"This..." Needless to say, Cen Rubai was very knowledgeable at first, and after all these years of ups and downs, he had faintly sensed the thoughts of the young master, and when he meditated, he realized something and turned around a bit.

"...That's fine, the Daihou's mansion is still too empty now, it doesn't show up when you move in, and it will be difficult to operate after a long time."

"At this juncture, it is very easy for others to send spies in if you buy people in. These 22 households were all from family soldiers. We invite them to the mansion. The old people serve as soldiers, and the children and grandchildren are hereditary soldiers and servants. Women are maids and mothers-in-law, it was like this in the past, and it is like this now, and it also solves the problem of lack of people in the mansion."

As Cen Rubai spoke, he understood the intention in his heart, not only was there no problem in employing people, but most importantly, the government soldiers were only old, weak, sick and disabled, who would worry?

It is a good story to spread the word that you value your subordinates. As for the safety of the mansion, does it really depend on these ten soldiers?

Moreover, although it is said that veterans are used as government soldiers, their sons are actually reserve soldiers, and they will naturally be able to replace them after a year or two.

This won both the lining and the face.

Secretly feeling that the Lord is wise, he felt a little worried: "In this way, there is no problem with loyalty, but in this way, the cost will be greater."

There are 23 households, with as few as five or six people in each household, and as many as ten people, that is, hundreds of people. With food, lodging and salary, the monthly fixed expenditure may be more than 500 taels. No small expense was spent.

If it weren't for Su Ziji to let the wild Taoist manage business early, I am afraid that he would not have the confidence to dare to say such a thing now.

But that's it, there are many places to spend money, and it is a bit embarrassing to calculate.

Su Ziji pondered for a moment, and said: "The problem of consumption is for me to consider. This matter is settled. They have suffered a lot in the past ten years. Now that I am back, I can't let them continue to live in poverty. .”

"They have their responsibilities, and I have mine. They must not be allowed to bleed and shed tears."

Hearing this, Cen Rubai couldn't help being moved, and bowed his hands deeply: "Yes!"

Royal Palace

In the afternoon, the snow had already fallen heavily, but the eunuchs and maids were all sweeping the snow together. At night, when the night was hazy, the snow in the palace was swept away after a day. Only the top of the palace was still white. Standing there, it interacts with the light of the palace lanterns.

In the imperial study room, the brazier was dyed, and the heat was rising. Several young eunuchs were sweating out of the heat, but they didn't dare to wipe it. They just stood in the corner with their heads down, letting the sweat drip down their noses from time to time.

Eunuch Zhao standing in front of the bookcase is much smarter. He has long changed into light clothes and stood quietly, like a wooden sculpture of clay. But as long as the person who is flipping through the booklet says a word, he can come back to life immediately. Become the sharpest knife in the hands of the emperor.

The emperor's face was rosy because of the effects of the Little Huandan, and he was wearing few clothes. He sat there, looking down at the few brochures in front of him, not knowing what he was thinking.

After a while, he did it, opened the booklets again, and read them again.

"So, after Su Zi was naturalized, he didn't make friends with court officials, but instead recruited old people from the East Palace, recruiting 23 households?"

"What a nostalgic boy." The emperor sighed.

Eunuch Zhao moved his eyes and remained silent.

When to speak and when not to speak, he still has experience.

Just like at this time, His Majesty seems to be feeling emotional, but how can he know that there is no other meaning?

It's looking for trouble if you talk rashly.

When His Majesty is in a good mood, there may be nothing. If you are in a bad mood, I am afraid that you will be dragged out and punished if you serve him for a long time.

Two days ago, there was an eunuch, relying on some face in front of His Majesty, when His Majesty was feeling emotional, he desperately flattered him, but the next moment His Majesty changed his face, and made people drag him down and beat him twenty boards. If it wasn't for the person who beat him up, I'm afraid that he would not only be recuperating his injuries, but would be in a messy grave now.

Just as he was thinking, he suddenly heard the emperor ask: "How many people are the old people in the East Palace back then?"

Eunuch Zhao bowed hurriedly: "Returning to Your Majesty, all the officials above the seventh rank in the Eastern Palace were dealt with on a case-by-case basis, and Qi Hongxin was the last one."

"You forget that he died not long ago."

Eunuch Zhao suddenly felt a sense of sadness for the death of a rabbit and a fox. In such a large prince's mansion, Qi Hongxin was actually the only dead tree left. Once Qi Hongxin died, it disappeared.

"As for those of the eighth and ninth grade and Fubing, who were demoted from their posts, or transferred to Xiangjun, those who refused to take office, counting now, this is almost the number of people."

"The roster is all on it. Even if there are omissions, they are only a very small number."

There is a saying that the tree fell and the monkeys scattered. Although the East Palace had a lot of power back then, the prince’s family was ruined, and all the officials above the seventh rank were also unlucky. It was difficult for the remaining small officials and family soldiers to protect themselves. , Eunuch Zhao was a little surprised to be able to leave these people still and be recruited back by Su Ziji immediately.

In his opinion, there are too many of these people left today.

But obviously, the emperor really didn't expect this to happen. After all, in his memory, until the moment before the prince's death, it seemed that the ruling and the opposition had returned their hearts.

"The crown prince has studied since childhood, understands righteousness, and acts cautiously."

"The poems contain literary talents, describe the ancestors who worked hard for the people, and those who try to use politics, the prince has no mistakes."

Except for himself as the emperor, it is the prince who is loved, otherwise he would not have been afraid of the prince back then.

Even if the crown prince died, it shouldn't be the only people left!

"Is it?"

Intellectually, the emperor looked at the list again, and each one had a file to check. He also understood that after 20 years, there are still such people who are already good, but emotionally, he is a little at a loss. Blowing away in the rain?

The emperor's eyes fell on several brochures for a long time, not knowing whether it was joy or sorrow, anger or hurt, and even a little bit of remorse, fell into silence for a while, and after a long time, he said in a slightly hoarse voice: "Keep staring, there is something else. Action, report to me."

"Yes, the slaves obey the order."

(End of this chapter)