I'm really not King Jing of Zhongshan

Chapter 13 Prime Minister···Is it so poor?

The mourning of the late emperor Liu Heng's death had just been diluted by the atmosphere of the new year, and news of the empress dowager's illness came out, which completely shattered the festive atmosphere in Chang'an City.

When it was learned that the empress dowager fell ill because of the death of the former emperor, the grief that had been hidden in the hearts of the people of Chang'an earlier could not help but be aroused again.

Almost overnight, the entire city of Chang'an was filled with bursts of weeping;

The end of the new year is approaching, and the Yuanshuo court meeting is approaching, but none of the court ministers in the court are concerned about their own work.

Almost on the day when the Empress Dowager fell ill, all the officials with more than [-] shi, as well as all the meritorious relatives in Chang'an, gathered outside the Changle Palace.

Just half a day later, a landscape that is unique to this era appeared on Zhangtai Street outside the West Palace Wall of Changle Palace.

——Court ministers, meritorious princes and noble relatives gathered together, and through a very ancient sacrifice, prayed to God to transfer the disease from the empress dowager to himself...
Not surprisingly, Liu Sheng also went.

Not only did Liu Sheng go, but all the princes, including Liu Pengzu and the eldest son Liu Rong, participated in this "let me suffer the disease for the empress dowager" sacrifice.

As a visitor from later generations, Liu Sheng certainly understood: this is just a feudal superstition, which will not play any role at all, and will not relieve the empress dowager's pain at all;

But the strange thing is: Among the hundreds of people who participated in this sacrificial ceremony, Liu Sheng, the ninth son of the emperor, was actually the only one who sincerely wanted to make this sacrificial ceremony come true...
Perhaps it was Liu Sheng's piety that really touched the unknown, or maybe it was because the Empress Dowager Bo's auspicious people had their own aura. After several days of coma, the Empress Dowager finally passed away at the end of the new year. Woke up from a lethargy the day before.

The grandmother turned from danger to safety, and the emperor Liu Qi breathed a sigh of relief, and immediately issued an edict: to give all mothers in the world two bolts of cloth, two catties of meat, and a first-class mother who could only be promoted by military exploits in Qin Dynasty decades ago. Knighthood.

The Empress Dowager turned the corner, and Chang'an City was crying and laughing, ushering in a new era.

And the two brothers Liu Sheng and Liu Pengzu finally came to the old Anhou Mansion in Shangguanli, outside the east palace wall of Weiyang Palace, in the aristocratic area of ​​Chang'an, on October [-]th in winter... ··

·
"Well······"

"There are rumors that Prime Minister Shentu Jia is a clean and honest official. Looking at it this way, he really deserves his reputation."

When he came outside the Hou's Mansion, Liu Sheng couldn't help sighing after only looking at the gate of the Hou's Mansion.

After "appreciating the prime minister as a teacher" became an established fact, Liu Sheng also took advantage of the past time to get to know his teacher specially: the prime minister of the current dynasty, the former Marquis of An, Shen Tujia.

To Liu Sheng's surprise, everyone who was questioned by Liu Sheng mentioned one point without exception: Shen Tujia, it's outrageous that he has such a breeze in his sleeves!
Before seeing it with his own eyes, Liu Sheng only thought that Shen Tujia cherished the feathers and didn't let go of the handle, or deliberately created a personal image, so that everyone remembered to mention "this is an upright official".

But when he came outside the Hou's Mansion and saw the magnificent and extravagant vermilion gates in Shangguanli, as well as the stone carvings of various mythical beasts standing at the gates, Liu Sheng finally understood: Shentujia's "cleanness" is almost impossible. Might be fake news.

——As far as Liu Sheng saw with his own eyes: the majestic Anhou Mansion, but there is nothing outside the gate, even the gate is only made of old wood with ravines all over it, with a dull brown color all over the body, just like two big doors board!
After entering the Hou Mansion, the situation was not much better.

As far as Liu Sheng could see, there were no more than ten servants and servants in the entire Hou Mansion covering an area of ​​tens of feet!
Although the mansion has been swept clean, but looking around, there is hardly a single thing that was born within ten years;

Even the few servants were wearing rough clothes that were old and faded. Although their complexions were ruddy, their figures were not in the slightest.

"Prime Minister Wan Shi's salary, so how can the food town of five hundred households of the Marquis of An be so poor?"

Subconsciously let out an exclamation, which naturally provoked Liu Pengzu who was at the side to explain carefully.

"The prime minister's salary is ten thousand shi, but the actual salary is only four thousand shi. As for the five hundred households in the ancient Anhou state, the annual tax is four to five thousand shi of grain."

"If it's another person, the income of nearly ten thousand stones of grain for a year may be able to live a more nourishing life;"

"But the prime minister was born in the army, and all those who fought with the prime minister in the early years, whether they died in battle, or were wounded or disabled, their family expenses will be taken care of by the prime minister."

"According to the full count, the prime minister's body can be regarded as the livelihood of hundreds of widows and orphans of heroes, and hundreds of families of disabled soldiers..."

Hearing Liu Pengzu's words, Liu Sheng couldn't help but his face changed slightly. He respected this old prime minister who was born in the army but was extremely loyal to his comrades!

Through the past period of understanding, Liu Sheng already knew that the prime minister, Shen Tujia, was the last one among the founding fathers who remained in the court;
The status of the founding father + the head of a hundred officials is enough to make Shen Tujia look down on the court, and even the emperor Liu Qi has to be courteous.

If such a person wants to enjoy life, then the personal income of nearly ten thousand shi per year will definitely allow Shen Tujia to live a life that is not extravagant, but decent enough.

——Because in this era, the annual expenses of a family of five are only one hundred shimi, two or three bolts of cloth, plus a little salt, vinegar, and soy sauce tea.

But even after Shen Tujia became prime minister, he still didn't forget those old buddies who followed him through life and death and made great achievements, and even took the initiative to take care of the lives of the families of martyrs and disabled soldiers.

With such a high character, even Liu Sheng, a visitor from later generations, can only give a thumbs up and praise: he is worthy of being the founding father of the country!
Soon, Liu Sheng felt a little ashamed of his extravagant life in the past few years.

Because when Liu Pengzu and Liu Sheng, led by their servants, came to the "study room" in the old Anhou Mansion, what caught the eyes of the two brothers was a pavilion that was ventilated on all sides and only covered by wooden boards... ···
"Whoo~"

Taking a deep breath, dispelling the shame in his heart, Liu Sheng finally stepped forward with his elder brother Liu Pengzu, and bowed their hands to Shentu Jia in unison.

"teacher."

With a soft call, the old prime minister subconsciously turned his head away, and when he saw who was coming, he only laughed.

"If the two young masters don't mind it, it's convenient for you to go around and have a look at the mansion."

"The old man still has unfinished business..."

Before he finished speaking, Shentujia lowered his head again, supported his body, narrowed his eyes, and carefully checked the bamboo slips in front of him.

(End of this chapter)