Recreating the prosperous Tang begins with summoning players

Chapter 460 Finance Minister
Fifth Qi returned to his salt and iron courtyard wearily, and after taking off his official robe, he sighed heavily.

Wu Yuan was Wu Qi's nephew, and one of the few accomplished sons and nephews in the Fifth Family. Wu Qi has always delegated important tasks to him.

The last time Fifth Yuan was dispatched to Fengxiang Mansion, he wanted to operate and return to the center, but Fifth Yuan held his invitation and couldn't even enter the door of the Prime Minister's house.

Fifth Qi sighed, although he had a reputation for being good at financial management, the officials in the court still despised him.

This time, there was finally a vacancy in Duzhi Langzhong. You must know that there are only a few channels for the minister of wealth. If you can't be promoted to Duzhi Langzhong, it will be even more difficult to be promoted in the future.

Fifth Yuan went on to say: "Uncle, this time my nephew was unable to meet the Prime Minister, but he also met a few capable friends."

"Oh?"

Fifth Qi looked at his nephew and asked casually, "Who did you befriend?"

Those who can have influence in the imperial court and operate Fifth Qi to the Ministry of Households are just these few big figures.

Even the prime minister is unwilling to see Fifth Yuan, so who else can help him get promoted?
Thinking of this, Fifth Qi felt a little disheartened.

It can be said that I have worked hard to build a salt courtyard in Jianghuai from scratch.

When private salt was banned, in order to exterminate these salt bandits, they had to lead troops to fight.

It can be said that he has exhausted his efforts, but the court only wants to keep asking for taxes from Jianghuai, and is stingy with rewards for his meritorious minister of wealth.

Wu Yuan said: "Uncle, when I was meeting with Pei Xiangguo, I met a scholar from Longyou, and we are on good terms."

"This Longyou scholar is a descendant of the Taiyuan Wang family. His family moved to Longyou to avoid disaster. He is a scholar recommended by Hexi to take the imperial examination."

Longyou scholar?

Fifth Qi nodded. My nephew was able to make friends with these scholars who took part in the imperial examination, that is also to know serious friends.

Although taking part in the imperial examination may not necessarily win the exam, at least he can be recommended by the state government, and he is also a scholar with both ability and political integrity.

It's just that a young scholar who has not set foot in the officialdom, how can he help himself?
Fifth Yuan said again: "Later, Brother Wang brought me to know Shang Bo, the Empress of the Longyou Governor's Mansion. It is said that the Empress of Shang is the guest of Princess Yanguang."

Fifth Qi's eyes lit up.

The princess of the Tang Dynasty is very powerful, as strong as Princess Taiping, and even wants to take the throne.

Princess Yanguang, Fifth Qi naturally knew about it.

As the emperor's favorite daughter, Princess Yanguang often came and went in and out of the palace.

If this business blog is really the guest of Princess Yanguang, then maybe she can persuade Princess Yanguang to recommend herself to the emperor.

Thinking of this, Fifth Qi rekindled a glimmer of hope.

At this moment, the butler informed Fifth Qi that there was a distinguished guest outside the door.

The butler saw that although the visitor did not reveal his identity, he just sent a greeting card, but his expression was arrogant, not an ordinary person. The housekeeper did not dare to neglect, and immediately handed the greeting card to Wu Qi.

Fifth Qi saw that the invitation letter used the most popular white paper in Longyou at present, and there was no official position or name on the invitation letter, only a strange name - "Tang Guiwei".

Seeing this name, Fifth Qi was taken aback for a moment, and then showed a surprised expression.

Fifth Yuan leaned over and asked, "Uncle? Dang Guiwei? Who is this?"

Fifth Qi sighed and said, "Teach you to read more books on weekdays, this is a pseudonym."

"A pseudonym?"

Fifth Qi said: "In Sima Xiangru's "Zi Xu Fu", there is a sentence 'Cu Tang Gui Wei', and this name corresponds to the word Chu. Do you know which important person in the imperial court is named Chu?"

Fifth Yuan is also a clever person, he immediately said: "Uncle! You mean His Royal Highness the Crown Prince?"

Fifth Qi immediately said: "Hurry up and greet the envoy from the Eastern Palace!"

After a while, a young man with a white face and beardless was invited into the house by the housekeeper.

Seeing Fifth Qi's grand appearance, the young eunuch said with a smile: "Cheng Yuanzhen, the governor of the East Palace, pays homage to Fifth Salt and Iron Envoy."

Fifth Qi was even more surprised. Donggong Juling was in charge of all the eunuchs in the East Palace. Although the position itself was not high, he was the most trusted and closest eunuch in the East Palace.

This Cheng Yuanzhen was the personal eunuch of Prince Li Chu, and the prince sent him here, which showed the importance he attached to himself.

Cheng Yuanzhen also didn't make any salute to Fifth Qi, and when Fifth Qi led him into the study, Cheng Yuanzhen said directly:
"My Highness heard that the Fifth Salt Iron Envoy is seeking the position of Duzhi Lang."

Fifth Qi was taken aback, and Cheng Yuanzhen said directly: "Your Highness can help you."

The exchange of benefits is as simple and straightforward as that.

For finance ministers like Fifth Qi, they understand the principle of equivalent exchange.

There is no free lunch in this world, everything has a price.

He and Donggong have never been in contact, and Donggong even said that he is willing to help him get promoted, so naturally he needs to pay something.

Fifth Qi became entangled.

Duzhi Langzhong is an important position, but receiving the kindness of the East Palace, it is tantamount to joining the prince's camp.

A finance minister like himself is a technical bureaucrat, so there is no need to get involved in the turmoil of the court.

Seeing Fifth Qi's hesitant attitude, Cheng Yuanzhen immediately said, "Now that there is a vacancy for Doctor Duzhi, in fact, according to the qualifications of the fifth salt and iron envoy, he is completely competent."

"It's just that His Majesty is worried that the resignation of the fifth salt and iron envoy will affect Jianghuai's salt tax affairs, so he is currently hesitating."

Fifth Qi immediately opened his eyes.

Fifth Qi has no foundation in the court and no source of information, so Cheng Yuanzhen can do whatever he says.

Cheng Yuanzhen said again: "According to His Highness, the wealth of the world today basically depends on Jianghuai. In fact, the imperial court, the Duzhi Lang, has limited financial resources."

"It is absolutely possible for the fifth salt and iron envoy to be promoted to Duzhi doctor, and continue to serve as the Jianghuai Zuyong envoy and the salt and iron envoy."

"This not only rewards the hard work of the fifth salt and iron envoy, but also ensures the stability of the imperial court's financial resources. It is the best of both worlds."

Fifth Qi was even more ecstatic.

He plans to take the position of Duzhi Langzhong, but he is also somewhat reluctant to take the position of Yan Tieshi.

You must know that since ancient times, people in charge of salt have been fat servants, Wu Qi can be regarded as a clean official, but as long as he is in this position, he can also support many people in the family.

The plan brought by Cheng Yuanzhen not only took care of Fifth Qi's face, but also preserved his integrity. The price was too high.

Fifth Qi couldn't bear it and was about to agree.

But he was sober again, Dong Gong must have plotted against him in such a way to win him over.

Fifth Qi immediately asked his nephew to go out and drove away all the servants who were close to the room.

Then he asked Cheng Yuanzhen:

"Then what does Your Highness need Fifth Qi to do?"

Cheng Yuanzhen said with a smile:

"Your Highness only needs one thing - money!"

Fifth Qi showed an unexpected expression, and he asked again: "How much does Your Highness want?"

Cheng Yuanzhen stretched out three fingers, Fifth Qi asked with a heartbroken expression, "Thirty thousand?"

Thirty thousand guan is already quite a lot of money, but Fifth Qi can still take out this money.

Unexpectedly, Cheng Yuanzhen shook his head and said, "Emissary Yan Tie was joking, do you think His Highness is a traitor?"

"What Your Highness wants is not [-] guan, but [-]% of your Jianghuai salt tax!"

Fifth Qi stood there in surprise, but Cheng Yuanzhen said:
"Your Highness is the crown prince of the country. This money is also used by my Tang Dynasty. It is also the public money of the East Palace. It is also the expenditure for raising soldiers and soldiers for the country."

Fifth Qi only felt chills all over his body.

Cheng Yuanzhen said again: "Emissary Yantie still remembers He Lan Jinming Jiedu envoy?"

Speaking of Helan Jinming, Fifth Qi's expression changed again.

Cheng Yuanzhen said: "Your Highness has already found out that the envoy of the Helan Festival wanted to guard Linhuai that day and refused to send troops to rescue Suiyang. Nan Jiyun, who was sent by Zhang Xun to ask for help, beheaded and took away the banner of Linhuai."

Fifth Qi remained silent, He Lan Jinming was his sponsor, and according to the official rules of the Tang Dynasty, he and Zhang Xunnan Jiyun had an endless relationship.

Even if he didn't avenge Helan Jinming, he would be ridiculed by people in the officialdom.

The cause of He Lan Jinming's death had already reached Yangzhou, but Fifth Qi had always pretended to be an ostrich.

Now being challenged by Cheng Yuanzhen, Fifth Qi can only say: "The commander-in-chief is kind to Qi, and Nan Jiyun and I are inseparable!"

Cheng Yuanzhen said: "As long as Yan Tie Envoy agrees, His Highness will let Yushi play Zhang Xun and Nan Jiyun."

Now Fifth Qi has completely walked into a dead end. The prince has already made an offer to this point, and it would be impolite to refuse.

At this time, Wu Qi's nephew Wu Yuan suddenly entered the door.

"Uncle, there are important matters to be reported in various salt institutes today, you should go and deal with them first."

When the nephew came out of the siege, Fifth Qi immediately said: "Cheng Gongling, I'm sorry, I'm sorry! I have important work to do, so I'll go back as soon as I go!"

After speaking, he stepped out of the study.

After leaving the study, Fifth Qi said to his nephew: "You have experienced a lot in going out this time, and I am lucky to have you to rescue me, otherwise it would be bad."

Fifth Yuan said: "Uncle, nephew thinks it's inappropriate to seek refuge with the crown prince."

Fifth Qi and his nephew went to the quiet garden and asked:
"Tell me about it."

Fifth Yuan said: "The Eastern Palace is the crown prince, but the money that our Salt Court collects from His Majesty also goes into the treasury of the Ministry of Household Affairs. There is no reason for it to go into the private treasury of the Eastern Palace."

"Once there is a change in this East Palace, our fifth family will be guilty of treason, and the family will be confiscated and exterminated!"

Fifth Qi nodded, his nephew was right, if he really helped the East Palace withhold the Jianghuai salt tax, it would be a serious crime.

Fifth Yuan said again: "My nephew also heard some news in Fengxiang Mansion, and I will tell my uncle about it, so as not to get on the sunken ship of the Eastern Palace."

(End of this chapter)