Great Song Super Scholar

Chapter 501 Dangerous Breath
After entering September in the capital, the weather gradually turned cooler. At the end of September, bursts of autumn rain hit, and the gloomy and cold capital felt like early winter.

In the Zhukukulou Teahouse on Yujie Street, the warm tea fragrance permeates the lobby, with elegant temperament, elegant and refined tea prostitutes carry tea trays from time to time and go in and out of the elegant cabins. In the innermost cabin on the second floor, Princess Gao Taotao and Zhu Jie sat opposite each other, Gao Taotao frowned slightly, "You said the prince wanted [-] guan for your father?"

"To be precise, it is 3000 taels of gold."

Zhu Jie said worriedly: "I'm not reluctant to part with 3000 taels of gold, but this matter is indeed a bit strange. The prince asked my father to make three proofs for extracting gold. It seems that he is going to give it away."

Gao Taotao's expression also became dignified. It is not a trivial matter to use 1000 taels of gold as a bribe. An intuition told her that her husband was about to have trouble again.

"When did this happen?"

"Just three days ago, September 26."

Gao Taotao asked again: "Apart from this, does he have any other requirements?"

"Other."

Zhu Jie thought for a while and said: "He seems to be very interested in "The Hong Kong Economic Journal" and hopes to join the "Hong Kong Economic Journal". Also, he hopes that my father can fully support him financially. In the future, he will return it ten times. Will make my father the king of the county."

"Did you let your father keep the secret?"

"Of course there is, but my father will not hide from me, he told me immediately, he is very worried that the prince is doing something stupid again."

Gao Taotao asked again: "Did you tell Fanning about this?"

"Not yet, but I plan to go to his house in the afternoon, I don't think this matter can be hidden from him."

"Okay! Let's investigate separately, and we will still meet here if there is a situation."

The two soon left separately.

Gao Taotao is sitting in the carriage, her anger has disappeared, she is only calm and rational now, her husband asked for 3000 taels of gold, divided into three parts, it should be given to three people, then who would they be?What is the husband thinking again?
Of course Gao Taotao knows that her husband is definitely not for a woman. She knows his problem very well. He must be preparing for power seizure. It should be unrealistic to seize power now. His son has become the heir of the emperor. The official will not tolerate him, maybe after his son takes over?
Gao Taotao was startled suddenly, what does her husband want to do?He wants to seize his son's throne, or he wants to force his son to abdicate in the name of the Supreme Emperor.

A mother's calf-protecting instinct made her suddenly feel deep hatred for her husband. In fact, this kind of dissatisfaction and hatred had already existed. Ever since she found out that her husband was extremely dissatisfied with his son's superiority, a seed of resentment had been planted in Gao Taotao's heart. It germinated, but she has been silently enduring it, and until today, this seed of resentment has finally grown into a big tree of hatred.

The hatred in Gao Taotao's heart was about to erupt irresistibly, she said to herself in a low voice, "Don't force me, you asked for everything!"

Back at the palace, Gao Taotao asked, "Where is the prince?"

"Reporting to the princess, the prince is reading in the study."

Gao Taotao nodded, and said to the maid Cai'e, "Let me, Liu Qu, come to see me!"

Not long after, Liu Qu hurried over, knelt down on one knee and said, "See Wangfei!"

Gao Taotao said coldly: "Do you have something to hide from me?"

"The villain doesn't dare, I have already told Miss Cai'e all I know about my humble position!"

"Then there is still something you don't know!"

Liu Qu said with shame: "For more than a month, the prince often went out, and it is true that he did not take the villain with him four times."

"Three days ago, on September 26th?"

Liu Qu nodded, "Indeed, the prince went out alone that afternoon, but he didn't go out for a long time, and he came back after an hour. The villain doesn't know where he went?"

That's right, the husband doesn't trust the generals in some things, it seems that this matter is very secretive and has a lot to do with it.

Gao Taotao thought to himself, her husband didn't go out these few days, the 3000 taels of gold should still be in his hands, who on earth is he going to give the gold to?
The Eastern Palace Discussion has been going on for more than a month. Things are not as troublesome as imagined. They are basically trivial matters. With no personal conflicts of interest between officials, all kinds of government affairs are running smoothly.

The only conflict was about the resettlement of victims of the severe drought on Shaanxi Road. Wen Yanbo and Han Qi had a conflict of opinion. Wen Yanbo advocated allowing the victims to stay on Hebei West Road to reduce the bearing capacity of the drought-stricken areas on Shaanxi Road, while Han Qi advocated When the victims return to their hometowns, the government provides relief and organizes the victims to rescue themselves.

The two sides refused to give in to each other, and finally reported to the emperor Zhao Zhen for arbitration. Zhao Zhen agreed to Han Qi's plan, focusing on border defense.

This was the only time when there was a disagreement, but Fan Ning still sensitively captured the atmosphere of party struggle. Wen Yanbo and Han Qi seemed to be competing for the dominance of the government. The fight was nothing more than a temptation between the two.

Fan Ning began to feel a little worried. He began to feel that the East Palace discussion was not a good solution. For a while, Zhao Xu was completely emptied, and secondly, the court had to form two power centers, which would inevitably lead to fierce power struggles within the court and weaken the The centralization of power in the Song Dynasty.

Fan Ning's carriage stopped in front of the mansion gate, he entered the mansion gate, and it was Aya who greeted him, "Sister-in-law is here, and the two ladies are talking with her, it seems that my sister-in-law has something urgent to ask the officials."

"I see!"

When Fan Ning came to the back house, he did not rush to find Zhu Jie. Instead, he accompanied his daughter to feed the sheep, and carried her to find the little squirrel. Then he handed her over to the wet nurse and went to the inner hall by himself.

In the inner hall, three women were drinking tea and chatting. Seeing her husband coming in, Zhu Pei said with a smile, "Sister-in-law has been waiting for you for a long time, Sister Qian, let's leave!"

"What is this silly boy talking about?"

Zhu Jie watched the two leave, and then said to Fan Ning calmly: "Your troubles are coming."

Fan Ning's face immediately became serious, "Zhao Zongshi?"

Zhu Jie nodded, "Three days ago, he asked your third grandfather for 3000 taels of gold, divided into three parts, and promised to make your third grandfather the county king in the future."

Fan Ning doesn't care about the empty promise of the county king. He cares more about 3000 taels of gold, which is [-] guan. This is the price to buy the army!
"Does the princess know about this?"

"She knows. I saw her this afternoon."

"What is the attitude of the princess?"

"Of course she is also very nervous and annoyed. She will keep an eye on Zhao Zongshi, and I hope we will also keep an eye on him."

Fan Ning was silent for a moment and said, "Why did the third grandfather give him the gold?"

Zhu Jie sensed the dissatisfaction in Fan Ning's tone, and she explained helplessly: "Your third grandfather is just a commoner, he can't afford to offend Zhao Zongshi, besides, he has invested a lot of money in him over the years, he doesn't want to turn his face on this matter , all previous investments have been wiped out.”

Fan Ning pondered for a while and said: "I will keep an eye on Zhao Zongshi, but I suspect that Zhang Yaozuo is also keeping an eye on him. Now Zhao Zongshi is the emperor's heir's biggest soft spot, and Zhang Yaozuo will not let him go."

"So what do we need to do?"

"It's very simple, let the third grandfather go back to Pingjiang Mansion immediately, and if he gives Zhao Zongshi more money, Zhao Zongshi will be killed indirectly by him. Will Zhao Xu spare him when he ascends the throne in the future?"

Zhu Jie's face turned pale, she nodded, "I'll let him go back to Pingjiang Mansion overnight!"

In fact, Fan Ning’s most taboo is Zhao Zongshi. If Zhao Zongshi regains the historical track and ascends the throne as Song Yingzong, then the first person he will clean up may not necessarily be Zhang Yaozuo, but he will definitely be himself.

Not only himself, but the whole family will suffer cruel revenge from Zhao Zongshi.

It is precisely because of this that Fan Ning will stop Zhao Zongshi from ascending to power at all costs and prevent him from going back to the historical track, but he also has to consider Zhao Xu's feelings. After all, he is his biological father, so how to grasp this degree?
Fanning must find a suitable candidate to fulfill this wish for him.

After pondering for a long time, Fan Ning thought of Gao Taotao, and it might be the best way for Gao Taotao to listen to the government behind the curtain.

Gao Taotao also gave himself three promises. The higher the position, the heavier the weight of this promise, isn't it?
Taking out three pieces of jade from his waist pocket, Fan Ning smiled playfully. He is very sensitive in some aspects and can feel that Gao Taotao's attitude towards him is a bit special. dedication to his son.

For her son, it can be said that she will do whatever it takes.

Fan Ning came to his study outside. After a while, Zhu Long appeared in the room, clasped his fists and said, "Please give orders!"

Fan Ning asked with a faint smile: "Who do you think knows the whereabouts of a big man best?"

"It should be his confidant general!"

Fanning shook his head, "I think it's the coachman!"

Zhu Long was stunned for a moment, not daring to answer, Fan Ning said again: "If I were Zhang Yaozuo and wanted to monitor Zhao Zongshi's every move, I would definitely bribe his driver, that's why you didn't find out how Zhang Yaozuo monitored Zhao Zongshi, Zhang Yaozuo bought it from inside, so there is no need to monitor him anymore."

"What do officials need to be humbled for?"

"You have to do two things. First, monitor Zhao Zongshi's driver to see if he has been bought by Zhang Yaozuo, but no matter whether he has been bought or not, you must control him. I want to know who Zhao Zongshi has been in contact with in the past month. Intimate; second, Zhao Zongshi has to pay 3000 taels of gold these few days, and this gold is stored in the main store of Zhu’s Money Shop, and once this gold is used by someone, you must notify me immediately.”

"Where is the money shop?"

"I will greet Manager Liu. In addition, you must remember that no matter what Zhao Zongshi does? Even if he pays to kill me, you must not act without authorization. You must report to me first."

"Remember the humble job!"

"Take the three brothers! It's better to hide your identities, so that no one can recognize you, and the driver is the same. I have to stay out of this matter, understand?"

Zhu Long nodded, clasped his fists in salute, and hurried away.

(End of this chapter)