Do you know: I am Yuan Wenshao

Chapter 131 Mrs. He (please subscribe)
Yuan Wenshao already knew the outcome of this matter and was not worried.

But I am thinking about the deep meaning behind this matter.

Since King Yong and King Yan came to Beijing, there has been no controversy about the establishment of a prince.

This time the officials wanted to kill the chicken to scare the monkeys. Although hundreds of officials forced him to make the decision, why did the officials kill the chickens to scare the monkeys? They all discussed and supported King Yan.

Could it be that the officials have already made a decision in their hearts?

Yuan Wenshao was not surprised that King Yiyong was in charge of his family, but the officials in Beijing were not fools and could naturally figure it out.

Although he knew that King Yong would not become the crown prince, his life would become difficult in the next period of time.

"Officer, what are you thinking about?" Hua Lan asked when she saw that Yuan Wenshao was distracted.

"I didn't think anything of it." Yuan Wenshao came back to his senses and said with a smile: "This time my father-in-law was so angry, Lin Xiaoniang will definitely be implicated. Plus what Lin Xiaoniang did yesterday, my father-in-law must be angry with her, and my mother-in-law should be Be happy."

Hua Lan sighed after hearing this and said, "That's how it is. You don't know how ugly my father's face was when he found out that Lin Xiaoniang wanted to sell Zhuangzi's shop when something happened to him. Who knew that Lin Xiaoniang actually said, yes Because she knew about my mother’s loan sharking, my mother wanted to force her to death.”

"I only found out today that my mother was bewitched by my aunt and has been lending usury money with her. My father was very angry when he found out."

"Is this happening?" Yuan Wenshao asked in surprise.

He really couldn't remember this incident, and for a moment he didn't know how to evaluate Mrs. Wang.

The so-called usury is actually loan sharking, which was not illegal in ancient times.

However, the interest rate on loan sharking is very high, and most people will not be able to pay it back in the end.

In order to recover the money, it is common for people to force the other party to sell their children and daughters.

It is not uncommon to drive people to death.

Although this kind of thing is not illegal, it has a great impact on the official reputation.

Bianjing is at the feet of the emperor. If you force someone to death, it is simply giving them an excuse.

"Hey, you said the family is not short of money, so why is mother so confused?" Hua Lan sighed.

"What did your father-in-law do in the end?" Yuan Wenshao asked curiously.

"What else can we do? We can't make this kind of thing a big deal. My father made a big deal and took back my mother's housekeeping rights. He also took back Lin Xiaoniang's farms and shops. It seems that he wants to ask his grandmother to take charge of it. ." Hua Lan said.

"Let's not get involved in this kind of thing. I have a lot of things to do these days. If you have nothing to do, go and comfort my mother-in-law." Yuan Wenshao said.

"Well, thank you, officer." Hua Lan said gratefully.

"Why are you being polite to me?" Yuan Wenshao smiled.

"By the way, my grandmother told me yesterday that the old lady of the He family will be coming to Beijing soon. It sounds like my grandmother intends to marry Minglan to the grandson of the old lady He," Hua Lan said.

"Haha, that's good. It will save you the trouble of thinking all day long." Yuan Wenshao said with a smile.

"Who is thinking so wildly?" Hua Lan snorted and said with some worry: "Guanren, what if I really can't give birth?"

"If you can't give birth, you can't give birth. Are you still afraid that I'll divorce you?" Yuan Wenshao said with a smile.

When Hua Lan heard this, he lowered his head and said nothing.

Yuan Wenshao held her hand and comforted her: "Okay, don't think about it too much. Mrs. He is famous for her medical skills. The nobles in the palace have asked her to see her. There must be no problem."

"Yeah." Hua Lan nodded moodily.

……

"My lord, there is news from the secret guard that Xue Qi led his men to destroy a stronghold a hundred miles north of the city, and found dozens of crossbows. It was announced to the outside world that it was this group of bandits who attacked the fire kiln." Zhang An said.

After hearing this, Yuan Wenshao pondered for a while and sneered: "What a good plan. There shouldn't be any of those bandits alive, right?"

"My lord, you know what happened. That group of bandits would rather die than surrender. The government officials who went to catch them killed many of them before they were wiped out. No one was left alive," Zhang An said.

Yuan Wenshao sneered: "It's not that I predict things like a god, this is just a show."

Zhang An was stunned for a moment and asked doubtfully: "My lord, you mean that it was not the group of bandits who attacked the furnace?"

When he heard the news, he really thought it was the fire kiln that the bandits had attacked.

After all, Liuli is so valuable that it is normal for bandits to be concerned about it.

Yuan Wenshao shook his head slightly and said: "Why are there bandits at the feet of the Emperor of Bianjing? And if those bandits have the ability to get bows and crossbows, why would they need to rob homes? Look, it won't be long before not only the fire kiln is attacked, Even if Jiang Jingming's house is attacked, the blame will be placed on that group of bandits."

Things turned out exactly as Yuan Wenshao thought. A few days later, the Kaifeng government announced that the two previous cases of using crossbows were all caused by the bandits.

Ordinary people don't know so much. They just think it's normal for the kilns where glaze is fired and the mansions of wealthy merchants to be focused on by bandits.

The officials in Bianjing were indifferent to this trivial matter.

A few days ago, the official family was furious, leaving seven or eight officials in the palace.

Except for Sheng Hong, who was imprisoned for two days and released, the others were imprisoned for three days. Not only were they fined their salaries, but they were also demoted.

And the descendants of these people were drunk and chatting, and they all supported King Yan.

The official's move was obviously biased in favor of King Yong. For a time, many neutral officials began to support King Yong, which greatly increased King Yong's reputation.

……

Duke of Qi
Princess Pingning came to Qi Heng's yard and saw Qi Heng reading a book through the window.

Leading a group of maids carrying snacks into the house, Princess Pingning said with a smile: "Son, take a break."

"Mother." Qi Heng put down his book and saluted.

After failing the exam, although Minglan comforted him a few words, Qi Heng also felt lost for a long time.

Later, I slowly adjusted my mentality and studied hard at home.

"Son, there are still three years until the next imperial examination. You are right to study hard. You can't study at home every day. Tomorrow is the palace examination. The palace examination is over. Madam Wu will hold a polo match in a few days. Then you will also Come over and play." Princess Pingning pulled Qi Heng to sit down and said.

"Yes, son, listen to his mother and go and have a look when the time comes." Qi Heng said with a smile.

He hasn't seen Minglan for a few days. Minglan should go to Mrs. Wu's polo club, right?
"By the way, Princess Jiacheng is also very interested in polo, but she doesn't know much about it. When the time comes, you can join her and tell her about it." Princess Pingning said.

"Mom, I'm afraid it's inappropriate for a man and a woman to be alone together, so let's forget it." Qi Heng refused.

He naturally knew that Princess Jiacheng and Rong Feiyan were jealous over him. He could guess what Princess Pingning had planned when he asked him to go with County Master Jiacheng.

Princess Pingning said calmly: "I heard that many officials and family members will go to Bianjing that day, including people from the Sheng family. Since you don't want to go, then forget it."

"Mother, I am willing to go, but I just don't want to be with the Lord Jiacheng County." Qi Heng said.

"I have already promised Princess Yong. Since you don't want to accompany the county lord, then don't go. Otherwise, wouldn't you offend Princess Yong?" Princess Pingning said.

"Since mother has agreed, and the child will not be difficult for mother, I will accompany the county master that day." Qi Heng said.

If he wasn't studying in the Sheng family, he had no reason to see Minglan.In order to see Minglan, he had no choice but to agree.

"Since you are willing, then I will reply to Princess Yong. Please pay attention to rest and don't get tired." Princess Pingning said with a smile.

"Mom, go slowly." Qi Heng escorted Princess Pingning out of the house.

Princess Pingning's face turned cold as she left the courtyard.

When the Duke of Qi saw Princess Pingning coming back with an ugly face, he asked doubtfully: "Yuan Ruo didn't agree?"

"I agreed, but when he heard that he wanted to go with Princess Jiacheng, he didn't want to go. Later, when he heard that I said he didn't want to go with Princess Jiacheng, I refused to let him go, so he agreed. He must still be thinking about it. That concubine of the Sheng family." Princess Pingning sat down and said with an ugly face.

After hearing this, Duke Guo of Qi advised: "Why don't you forget it? Yuan Ruo is unwilling to do so. It would not be good if he offends the Lord of Jiacheng County. We only have one son in our family. From now on, the family property will all belong to him, so there is no need." Climb the dragon and attach yourself to the phoenix."

Princess Pingning frowned after hearing this: "Are you blaming me for clinging to a dragon and a phoenix?"

"What do I mean?" Duke Qi shook his head and said, "Madam, aren't I afraid that if we fail to get married, I will offend King Yong instead?"

"Do you think I want to force him?" Princess Pingning said: "Prince Yong and Princess Yong doted on Lord Jiacheng to the heavens. I heard that when I was in the fiefdom, there was a local official whose daughter grew up. She was so beautiful that everyone praised her. Later, when the girl went out for an outing, she was kidnapped by thieves and her whereabouts are still unknown. There are rumors that Princess Yong sent someone to do it because the Lord of Jiacheng County was jealous. Now the Lord of Jiacheng County is interested in it. If we don’t agree to marry our son, what will happen to our family when King Yong ascends the throne?”

"Is there such a thing?" Qi Guogong's expression changed and he said: "But Yuan Ruo is unwilling in his heart. If he neglects the Jiacheng County Lord, it will be a big disaster for our family. What should we do?"

"Don't worry, the marriage has not been decided yet. It is normal for her son to be colder to her. I don't think the county master will think too much about it. But we have to find a way to make her son give up as soon as possible." Princess Pingning said.

"Don't mess around. If Yuan Ruo finds out, it will be in trouble." Qi Guogong said.

"Don't worry, I will think about this matter carefully and won't mess with it." Princess Pingning said.

……

On the day of the palace examination, the official personally wrote the questions, encouraged the scholars a few words, and then left.

The palace examination is different from the general examination. The general examination has three days to answer each question, while the palace examination only has one day, which tests the students' talents and learning.

Many people feel that the position of crown prince is vacant, and there may be relevant questions in the imperial examination.

However, the question raised by the officials is - the extravagant expenses make up the vast amount of money.

Excessive expenses mean that various expenses are increasing and becoming more and more extensive.

This is indeed a problem that the court needs to face today, and it is also the reason why officials advocated reform back then.

As soon as this question came up, some scholars speculated that the government officials should be interested in reform again, and the article tended to evaluate some of the pros and cons of the last reform.

Some people who are clever think that the official family is old and now faced with the problem of establishing a reserve, so they should not be interested in reform. When answering the questions, they tend to increase revenue and reduce expenditure.

And Sheng Changbai just prefers to increase revenue and reduce expenditure. It's not that he doesn't agree with reform, but he feels that with the current situation of Dazhou, it is really not a good time for reform.

Nowadays, due to internal and external troubles, the imperial court is under great financial pressure. The officials raised this issue probably because they wanted to alleviate the financial pressure.

After the imperial examination was over and he returned home, Sheng Hong asked about the question and agreed with Changbai's answer.Changbai is said to have the status of champion.

On the second day of the palace examination, the Sheng family sent someone to Uncle Zhongyong's house to say that the old lady was ill.

After Hualan learned about it, she hurriedly went to Sheng's house with Yuan Wenshao to visit.

"Madam, don't worry. The old lady's body was still very strong a few days ago. She should be fine." Yuan Wenshao comforted her.

"Last time, my grandmother was worried about my father and was angry about Lin Xiaoniang's incident. At that time, my father's life and death were uncertain, so my grandmother had to support me. Plus, my grandmother is getting older, so I really can't feel at ease." Hua Lan said worriedly.

She had been raised by the old lady when she was seven or eight years old, and her affection for the old lady was not much worse than Minglan's.

Yuan Wenshao didn't know how to comfort him, so he could only hold Hualan in his arms.

The couple came to Sheng's house and went directly to Shou'an Hall without stopping along the way.

When they entered the Shou'an Hall, Hua Lan was stunned. The old lady who was supposed to be seriously ill was sitting in the main seat and joking with an old lady next to her.

Mrs. Sheng's face was glowing, and she didn't look sick at all.

Not only that, Mrs. Wang was also sitting nearby, with Ru Lan standing beside her.

Next to the strange old lady stood a boy of seventeen or eighteen years old.

When Yuan Wenshao saw this scene, he guessed the reason why the old lady was pretending to be sick.

"Haha, I just said that Hualan is filial. He will definitely come back soon when he hears that I am ill." Old Mrs. Sheng said with a smile.

"Look how proud you are. Let your granddaughter go and see the materials I brought." The old lady next to her ordered the old lady, looked at the confused Hua Lan, and said with a smile: "Which one do you like? , take it back to make clothes.”

Hua Lan finally came back to his senses, looked at the old lady and asked, "Grandma, didn't you say you were sick?"

"Haha, I just want to meet you and be with you." The old lady smiled and pointed to the old lady next to her and said: "This is the old lady He I mentioned to you before. Now that she has come to Beijing to live, I will Please come over and have some fun.”

Then he pointed to the young man standing aside and said, "This is her grandson, his name is He Hongwen."

"I wish you well, grandma." Hua Lan first saluted Mrs. He, then nodded slightly to He Hongwen and said, "Hello, brother He."

Yuan Wenshao also stepped forward to salute and said, "I'm going to trouble Grandma He this time."

"Haha, no trouble." Mrs. He smiled.

"Mrs. He made a special trip this time to bring you some satin to make clothes for. You go and have a look." Mrs. Wang said anxiously.

The so-called satin reading is actually an excuse. The purpose is to let Mrs. He be alone with Hua Lan and diagnose her pulse.

Asking Mrs. He to diagnose Hua Lan's pulse is not known to anyone in the family. It is better to keep this kind of thing a secret, otherwise it will not be good for Hua Lan's reputation if word spreads.

Therefore, he used the excuse that the old lady was ill to bring Hualan back.

"Mother." Hua Lan glanced at Mrs. He with some embarrassment.

After knowing the identity of Mrs. He, Hua Lan also understood.

Although she was anxious, Mrs. Wang was so anxious that she felt somewhat embarrassed.

"It's okay, it's okay. Madam is a straightforward person, and I don't like to make fuss. The ingredients are in the back room. Let's go and have a look together?" Mrs. He said with a smile.

"Then I'll bother Grandma He." Hua Lan said a long blessing.

"No trouble." Mrs. He stood up with a smile.

Old Mrs. Sheng stood up, and just as Minglan was about to go up and help her, the old lady said, "You have made your choice, just sit here."

Mrs. He also said to He Hongwen who was supporting her: "Sit down too."

The two old ladies were in front, Mrs. Wang was beside them, and Yuan Wenshao and his wife followed behind.

Yuan Wenshao saw that Hua Lan was a little nervous, so he took her hand and said, "Don't be nervous, it's okay."

(End of this chapter)