The Reborn Duke of Ming Dynasty

Mao Zhengqing's words clarified today's theme, and his words also put Zhang Fan and the three of them at ease. Originally, they were unable to resolve the matter of the money, and they always wanted to I was troubled because I couldn't come up with a good solution.

Therefore, when Mao Zhengqing came to invite Zhang Fan and the others to have dinner, Zhang Fan immediately agreed. The reason was because of this matter, and because the three of them had been thinking for a long time and couldn't figure out a solution to the money. , and at this juncture, Mao Zhengqing's arrival is very likely to be related to that sum of money.

In this way, Zhang Fan agreed. What he was thinking was that maybe the three of them couldn't think of a solution, but maybe, listening to what Mao Zhengqing and the others said, they might be able to find a solution. Well, now, before Zhang Fan even asked about this matter, Mao Zhengqing had already said it first, which really made Zhang Fan feel a little strange.

However, it is better to put aside those who are not different, but the most important point is that since Mao Zhengqing has decided to talk about this topic, it is naturally a good thing. You have to find ways to ask this matter around the corner, so that both parties can relax a bit, wouldn't it be the best of both worlds.

It's just that I don't know whether Mao Zhengqing said these words out of his own desire, or because of the situation he encountered before him, so he had to say so, I don't know, but obviously, Zhang Fan Naturally, it is impossible to take care of those things, as long as Mao Zhengqing can say it, that's enough.

"Please tell me, Lord Mao," Zhang Fan nodded, and said, "Since Lord Mao has already said so, let me interject. Today, the three of us originally didn't want to come. I don't want to say, the three lords also knew it well, but I changed my mind later, and actually came here for the money, since lord Mao has already mentioned it at this time, It saves me having to ask questions again.”

Gradually, the atmosphere of this meal also changed. Originally, this kind of meal was a meal between colleagues in the bureaucracy, even if it was like the relationship between Zhang Fan and Mao Zhengqing, it was clearly a relationship between questioning and being questioned. , but the detours required on the scene are also necessary, but like this, so frankly and honestly said everything that should be said, even if it is impossible to say that there are no such things, it is absolutely impossible.

However, the current appearance and this scene make people feel that there is nothing inappropriate, and it is true when it is said. After all, this is what is said, and this is understandable.

Of course, this also saved Zhang Fan a lot of energy. It is a good thing that he can stop saying insincere words and directly cut to the point.

"Please tell me, Lord Mao, I'm all ears," Zhang Fan said, nodding his head.

"Actually..." Although Zhang Fan had said that, and Mao Zhengqing had just said that he wanted to say it, but when it was time for him to say it, he still hesitated.

For Mao Zhengqing's hesitation, Zhang Fan and the three of them all knew it well. In other words, if Mao Zhengqing really said something without hesitation at all, it would make Zhang Fan and the three of them feel untrustworthy. Zhengqing, however, inadvertently increased the credibility of what he said.

However, just when Zhang Fan and the others had expected what Mao Zhengqing might say, he said something different, which surprised Zhang Fan and the others even more.

"Actually, if it's not necessary, I really don't want to talk to you about this," Mao Zhengqing said. "Of course, I will invite you to this meal, but regarding the money, to be honest, Xiaguan is I really don't want to say it,"

"Why?" Mao Zhengqing's words really confused Zhang Fan. From what he said, he didn't want to mention money at all, but just now he said clearly that it was about money. The matter, under these two contradictions, naturally makes people feel a little unbelievable. For a while, Zhang Fan was a little confused.

This is not just the weird feeling that Mao Zhengqing gave him before, but more importantly, this feeling made Zhang Fan feel that there is more than just a story in it. Come to think of it, this matter , There are absolutely many places involved in that sum of money. However, Mao Zhengqing has not heard Mao Zhengqing's words yet, and Zhang Fan is not sure what it is, but Mao Zhengqing's words always make him feel that there will be something. A premonition of an accident.

"Actually, the money, I wish my lord would distribute it to the people in the city just like those grains." Mao Zhengqing then said something that surprised Zhang Fan even more, "Although the When the gang entered the city, they also confiscated the money from Xiaguan's house, but it was only 53 taels of silver. Without the money, Xiaguan might have had a difficult year, but it was nothing.

"It's just that the lower officials also understand the reason why your lord doesn't do this. If your lord divides the money, I'm afraid the people in the city will be in great trouble."

Mao Zhengqing's words made Zhang Fan and the three of them stunned. They never thought that Mao Zhengqing would say such a thing. He should be in the camp of corrupt officials, even if he He is not a corrupt official, but he is not a particularly clean official either. He should never have said such a thing. This completely reversed his position, and even made Zhang Fan's prediction completely wrong.

"Lord Mao, let's not talk about anything else," Zhang Fan recovered from the shock, and immediately asked, "Let's just talk about the 53 taels of silver. Speaking of which, Lord Mao is the magistrate of the fourth rank. In addition to the food, the salary is full of calculations, and it is only more than 100 taels of silver. In this way, this can be regarded as Lord Mao’s salary for half a year. If it's really gone, how will Lord Mao live in the second half of the year, or in other words, what other ways does Lord Mao have to live.

"Although the imperial court entrusts Lord Mao with a heavy responsibility, he is the official of the people's parents. Naturally, he must consider the people, but he can't just do it for the people, and he can't even survive himself."

"This..." Zhang Fan's words, for some reason, made Mao Zhengqing twitchy, he hesitated for a long time, and then he said, "I don't want to lie to my lord, I really have other ways , there are meals in the yamen every day, and there are only two people in Xiaguan's house, Xiaguan and Jiannei. When the time comes, it will be regarded as the Xiaguan's private pockets, just bring an extra one, and it will be fine when this month passes ,"

Once again, Mao Zhengqing's words surprised Zhang Fan. Previously, Zhang Fan thought that Mao Zhengqing would say that there was still something left in the family, or that he would ask someone to borrow some excuses, but he never thought of it. To say such a thing.

If this is really compared, Mao Zhengqing's life is even poorer than Hai Rui's. Even Hai Rui did not live like this. Zhang Fan knew that it was not because of Hai Rui's temper, nor was he a member of the yamen. The food wasn't good, it was just that Hai Rui couldn't get used to the food.

However, what Mao Zhengqing said really made Zhang Fan feel indescribable.

"Master Zhang, what's the matter?" Mao Zhengqing once again saw the surprise of the three of them, this time he couldn't help it, and asked, "But what did the officials say wrong?"

"No, no, Lord Mao misunderstood," Zhang Fan said, "I just didn't expect it, but it doesn't matter, Lord Mao, please continue."

"Oh..." Zhang Fan's words made Mao Zhengqing a little confused, but he didn't intend to ask what happened. Since Zhang Fan didn't want to talk about it, he didn't mean to ask any more. He continued, "Originally, the next official I just thought, it would be great if Mr. Zhang could distribute the money equally to the common people, but it would be troublesome to do so.

"My lord, the troubles mentioned by the lower officials are not only the troubles that the common people will have, but also the troubles caused by the original owner of the money. This is not the same as food. When the lord is around, it is still easy to talk about, but if After my lord leaves Yongning, something will happen. Maybe my lord doesn't believe it, but I still want to say that the things that those people can cause are definitely more than my lord can think of. People can't help it."

"I also understand what Lord Mao said," Zhang Fan nodded and said, "It's just that I'm really a little confused now. What does Lord Mao say now?"

"That's how it happened," Mao Zhengqing said. "It happened this afternoon. At that time, the three adults were still resting. Those people in the city, Ding Youyang and the others, came to look for the subordinate officials. Originally, Xiaguan thought they were here to tell Xiaguan about the food, or they wanted to get back the money.

"As a result, as soon as they said it, the subordinate officials felt that something was wrong. What they said was indeed about money, but they...they didn't come to ask for money,"

"No." At this time, Zhang Fan also heard something different.

"That's right, I didn't understand it at the time," Mao Zhengqing said. "Although the people in the city are usually generous, there are really few times when they don't want money. Now they say that, The officials really didn't understand, but they said next, the money was not just forfeited, it was out of the government treasury, and nearly 10 taels of silver were looted from the common people, and the rest The more than 80 taels are all handed over to Mr. Zhang,"