Man Tang Huacai

Chapter 33 Bidding
Under the candlelight, Jin Du moved closer, looked carefully at Xue Bai's notes, and suddenly said proudly, "Hey, I can understand it."

Her clothes were fumigated with styrax, and she washed her hair with hibiscus leaves and acacia, as soon as she got closer, Xue Bai could smell a faint fragrance.

He leaned back a little, and said: "It's not difficult to understand. Wu Kangcheng's night patrol route is fixed, passing through two squares and 28 households. Among them, there are only ten households that I can't search carefully and have the ability to hide the dead in the Eastern Palace. .”

Seeing the small movements of the two of them, Du Jin stepped forward and lit a candlestick to make the light brighter, so that Du Jin didn't have to get so close.

Du Jin focused on discussing with Xue Bai, and didn't pay attention to these small details, she pondered: "You just knocked on the door last night, today the East Palace has arranged your life experience for you, so it must be within these ten households?"

"How much do you know about these dead men?"

"I've never seen these dead men, but Li Heng is by no means as poor as he appears on the surface, he can often find ways for his people."

Xue Bai pondered, and asked, "Where did you get the money? Farming in the northwest?"

"I don't know about that." Du Jin answered while looking at Xue Bai's map, and suddenly said: "These names are the officials who set up other houses in Daozheng and Changle?"

"Ah."

"Yang Shenjin, Wang Jian, Xianyu Ben, Lu Xuan...all belong to Li Linfu."

"I just want to ask you, which of these people is most likely to be used by the East Palace?"

Du Jin didn't answer right away, but smiled slightly and asked, "Do you know why the sage relies on Li Linfu so much?"

Xue Bai shook his head.

He has just arrived in this era, and there are still too many things that need her help to analyze.

Du Jin said: "Chang'an has a large population, and the natural danger of Sanmenxia makes it difficult to transport grain. Therefore, since Emperor Gaozong, the imperial court has often gone to Luoyang for food."

Xue Bai knew a little about this. Gaozong and Wu Zetian felt that they liked to go to Luoyang. Gaozong changed Luoyang to the Eastern Capital and implemented the two-capital system.

There are many reasons for this, one of which is that Emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty dug the Grand Canal so that grain from the south of the Yangtze River could be transported to Luoyang by water.

In comparison, Li Longji doesn't seem to like Luoyang that much.

For this, Du Jin used one word - dread.

"The sage was lucky to be in the east capital, but Li Linfu knew what he wanted to do. He used millet to help the water and the purchase method to make Guanzhong enough money and food. Since the 24th year of Kaiyuan, the sage has never been to the east capital. Years, nothing happened at home', proud of it."

Xue Bai was keenly aware that there was a lot to be said here, and he didn't have enough time tonight, so he could only ask: "What is the method of giving millet to help water, and buying money?"

"The so-called 'giving millet to help the water' means collecting more land from the people to make up for the emptiness of the treasury caused by the lack of water transportation."

"Is it to collect more taxes?"

"It is also Li Linfu's ability to receive taxes."

Now that Du Jin's identity has changed, her evaluation of Suo Douji is slightly different.

Xue Bai nodded, knowing that tax collection is easy to say, but extremely difficult to do well.

"The so-called 'harmony purchase method' means that in good years, the imperial court buys grain at a low price and stores it in case of famine." Du Jin said: "Li Linfu's two methods have been very effective for several years, so the saints rely heavily on them."

Xue Bai frowned, realizing that these two methods seemed to enrich the treasury, but in the long run it would make the entire country and its people more and more impoverished.

To put it bluntly, it was nothing more than trying to make money for the emperor in a different way.

After explaining this background, Du Jin calmly brought the topic back.

"Although Li Linfu wants to abolish the crown prince, the officials on both sides are actually not clear-cut. For example, Wei Jian, who originally had a close relationship with Li Linfu, presided over the construction of water canals, so that ships from the west of Tongguan can go directly to Chang'an, and the annual water transportation increases by 200 million shi. This move won the favor of the sage, and it was possible to replace Li Linfu, and in the blink of an eye, the two of them changed from close friends to life-and-death enemies."

"That is to say, Wei Jian can also make money for the saint, and he and Li Linfu will cooperate if it is beneficial, and divide if it is not beneficial."

"Let's talk about the Northwest Frontier Army. Although the two Jiedu envoys are from the Eastern Palace, Li Linfu also led the Hexi and Longyou Jiedu envoys. Since the imperial court recruited troops, he has raised countless military expenses every year. Therefore, the Longyou Army also Many generals are close to Li Linfu."

With that said, Du Jin pointed to Wang Jian's other house marked out on Xue Bai's map.

"Just now we talked about the method of Hebuy. Wang Jian's brother, Wang Ji, is the envoy of Heshi Hebuy, assisting Li Linfu in presiding over the Hebuy. This person has a deep relationship with the generals of the frontier army."

"Because of providing military pay?"

"No." Du Jin said: "According to the customs in the army, soldiers on the border guards are replaced every six years, and they can be exempted from renting mediocrities when guarding the borders. In order to make money for the saints, Wang Jia canceled the custom of exempting mediocre rents. But some generals wanted to cover up Defeated, often do not register soldiers died in battle, so although these soldiers died, they were not revoked. Wang Yu regarded these soldiers who died in battle as evading taxes, and collected rent and mediocrity taxes according to their status. Levying 30-year rent and mediocrity tax caused his family to be ruined. However, because of this, he searched for a huge amount of property every year and put it into the internal treasury. He gained the trust of the sage, and he rose to the top and became Li Linfu's most capable general."

Du Yi frowned and said, "In this case, he must have a very bad relationship with the frontier army?"

"The family members of the soldiers who died in the battle may hate him to the bone, but there are many people in the frontier who have interests with him. At the beginning of the year, Huangfu Weiming entered Beijing. Although he knew that Li Linfu was powerful, he still decided to get rid of Li Linfu because of the investigation. " Du Jin said: "I heard that he made a statement with the crown prince."

Xue Bai understood what Du Jin meant.

Today's court situation is not clear-cut. You are on the other side and I am on the other side.

A sage wants to be extravagant and enjoy, but also to be a wise king through the ages, so someone needs to make money, and someone needs to make meritorious deeds.

Therefore, whether it is Li Linfu's lineage or the East Palace lineage, apart from fighting, the more important thing is to collect money and make meritorious service for the saints together.

It's all about profit.

Xue Bai picked up the pen and marked Wang Jian's other house on the map.

Du Jin looked around his head, and pointed to Yang Shenjin's other house.

"Censor Zhongcheng Yang Shenjin, he was born in the Yang family of Hongnong. He is the great-great-grandson of Emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty. He has a prominent family background and is famous for his demeanor and talent. He is the type of person that Li Linfu has always hated the most."

Du Yi recalled the scene when he saw Yang Shenjin in Dali Temple that day, and frowned slightly, feeling a little uncomfortable.

Xue Bai asked, "Why are you jealous?"

"Let me give you another example. The sage once hung a curtain to watch the music dance in the Qinzheng Building. Lu Xuan, the servant of the Ministry of War, didn't know that the emperor was there. He hung his whip and pressed the bridle, and was too downstairs. He was very personable and praised by the sage. Li Linfu learned of this, and Li Linfu was worried. Lu Xuan was reused by a sage, so she framed her and exiled her from Chang'an."

"Why?"

"Suo Douji is such a person."

Xue Bai was speechless for a moment.

Du Jin continued: "Yang Shenjin is not Li Linfu's person, but Li Linfu wanted to control Yushitai and suppressed him, so Yang Shenjin succumbed to Li Linfu, but we should be wary of each other."

Xue Bai nodded, and also marked Yang Shenjin's other house on the map.

Du Yu reminded: "You have to be more careful in the future."

"Cough cough."

Qu Shui coughed twice outside.

~~
Jiaonu shuffled back to the wing with some weakness, and heard the conversation inside.

"Princess Yuzhen decides Wang Mojie to be the number one scholar?" Du Jin said, "I am afraid that Yang Zhao will spread rumors about this matter, so I say Zhang Jiugao, who is the younger brother of Prime Minister Zhang Jiuling. How could you take the exam with Wang Mojie in the ninth year of Kaiyuan?"

"All kinds of things are true or false, how can outsiders know." Du Yu said: "But if Xue Bai wants to get in the ranks, he must be recommended by a powerful person..."

Jiaonu went into the room and sat down, listening to them still talking about the imperial examination with Xue Bai.

After sitting for a while, her complexion changed again, she gave Xue Bai a hard look, and walked out again.

When Jiaonu walked away, Du Yu hesitated in the house, and said, "I am not a lobbyist for the Jingzhao Du family, but after thinking about it, I am afraid that the right minister's mansion will not be relied on for a long time. Sooner or later, you need to have an identity to Settle down and settle down, although Xue Ling has no official status, but I don't know how it compares to your original background?"

Xue Bai said: "If you really want to speculate, the possibility that I was originally an official slave is not low."

"What I'm more worried about is that you don't look like a child of an ordinary family. If you can become an official slave, I'm afraid that after committing an official, six out of ten will have enmity with the Right Prime Minister's House." Du Yu said: "After all, your surname is Xue. , if you are not obsessed with finding your parents and family members immediately, I think it is better to accept this status temporarily and find a future for yourself. Otherwise, even if you help the Right Prime Minister's Mansion find the deceased prince, Li Linfu will not seal your official position, and I am afraid that you will be in the future. And put the blame on you."

Xue Bai smiled, and replied: "I know Eldest Sister speaks from the bottom of her heart, not for Jingzhao Du's family."

"Well, everything we do is just asking for the word 'settling our lives'. The conditions given by the East Palace today are indeed not bad." Du Jin said: "But the difficulty is that Li Linfu may not let us go easily. The most important thing right now The only thing is how to deal with him."

"..."

When Jiaonu came back again, the two sisters of the Du family finally got up and left.

With a sound of "Dang", Jiao Nu took out a dagger, stuck it on the table in front of Xue Bai, and cursed: "You dare to harm me!"

"It must be that the touhua Ci is broken." Xue Bai asked back: "But who forced you to eat it?"

"Hugh thought I didn't know what you were up to. In order to distract me, you dared to drug me."

"You can guess whatever you want, but you need evidence to accuse others. Otherwise, would you just say the same thing in front of the right minister?"

"Heh. Let me see how you explain to You."

~~
Early the next morning, Ji Wen arrived at the Youxiang Mansion in Pingkangfang.

He bowed and stood still in the hall. Behind the screen, Li Linfu asked, "Have you found out about Xue Bai's background?"

"Reporting to the Right Prime Minister, there are some clues." Ji Wen replied: "I asked people to read the files on the official slave trade and the disappearance of the beautiful boy in the past six months. I have clues, and I am still ordering people to investigate one by one."

"This is Xue Bai's method of investigating and handling cases with files. You are a quick learner."

"How can it be his method? It is an ancient method." Ji Wen smiled and said: "Investigating this matter, there is another harvest."

"Say."

Ji Wendao: "The disappearance of the beautiful young man in Chang'an City does not seem to be caused by Mrs. Guo Guo. According to a young man, it may be that a lady named Daxi Yingying blamed Mrs. Guo Guo."

"Who?"

"I don't know whose wife and concubine it is."

Li Linfu originally planned to scold Ji Wen, but he didn't expect to hear such an anecdote, he coughed twice, and then said in a deep voice: "You idiot, you are wasting your time on trivial matters, the East Palace has already found out Xue Baizhi's background."

"This?" Ji Wen was very surprised and said, "How is that possible?"

A beautiful maid came out of the screen and threw a piece of news in front of Ji Wen.

After watching it, Ji Wen thought for a while and said: "It can be seen that Xue Bai and Du Youlin must have betrayed the right minister and switched to the East Palace. It is time to teach them a lesson. Ji Wen is willing to investigate Liu Ji's case again."

Li Linfu didn't speak.

"Your Prime Minister." Ji Wen said again: "The Eastern Palace has drawn Xue Bai so much, how can he still do things for the Right Prime Minister with all his heart?"

At this moment, Cang Bi, the steward, came to the door of the hall and said, "Ah Lang, Xue Bai is here."

Ji Wen turned his head to look and saw Xue Bai entered the hall, he couldn't help sneering, and said impatiently: "I heard that you have found your family background, I am very happy to congratulate you."

"Right side."

Xue Bai ignored it, crossed his hands to Li Linfu, and said, "I just wanted to report this to Prime Minister Right today. It can be seen that I am already very close to those dead men in the East Palace, so Li Heng jumped over the wall in a hurry to win over Li Linfu. I."

Ji Wen opened his mouth, wanting to speak, but froze again.

He had just realized that it was in Xue Bai's best interest to accept Donggong's conditions, but he didn't expect Xue Bai to sell Donggong again in the blink of an eye.

Behind the screen, Li Linfu's tone seemed less serious than before, and he asked, "So, you are not Xue Ling's son?"

"I don't believe there is such a coincidence." Xue Bai replied, "I think the dead men in the Eastern Palace are hidden in the Daozheng and Changle squares, and there are several other houses that I have no right to search. Please send troops to the right minister." Manhunt."

Perhaps this answer greatly exceeded Li Linfu's expectations, and there was no movement behind the screen for a long time.

Xue Bai then added: "The dead soldiers kept in the East Palace are all thugs, there may be as many as dozens of them, and the elite of the sixteen guards may have to be mobilized."

Li Linfu told people, "Bring Guo Qianli here."

"Here."

"Xue Bai, answer the truth honestly, the descendants of the Xue clan in Hedong and the Duke of Pingyang, with such a background, are you tempted?"

"This must be Li Heng's plan to provoke me and the right minister." Xue Bai responded: "Although I have lost my memory, even if I came from a humble background, I only want to find my biological parents instead of clinging to a high school and accepting someone else as my father."

"Okay, ambitious."

Li Linfu patted his palm three times slowly when he heard this.

Afterwards, he said something that surprised both Xue Bai and Ji Wen.

"You, after all, you have to have an identity. Find your family as soon as possible, and let your father come to the prime minister's mansion with the dowry."

Xue Bai was taken aback for a moment, and finally turned his head to look at the small window on the side wall.

Faintly, he could hear some rustling sounds, as if there were still very light footsteps, someone running away.

After a short moment of astonishment, he quickly reacted and said loudly, "Thank you Prime Minister for your kindness!"

Ji Wen was stunned.

Only now did he realize that Donggong's wooing of Xue Bai had also become a test for Xue Bai from the right. Xue Bai withstood it and won such a big reward.

(End of this chapter)