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Xue Poye was in Lu's mansion right now, in the elegant hall at the west corner of the big courtyard, with his hands behind his back, through the half-opened window, he looked at the people in the courtyard and the merchants with different expressions.

Naturally, he also saw Mrs. Qiao and Fang Xiaohu, and saw their short chat with each other.

The fire in the elegant hall is full of fire, just like summer, it is indescribably warm and comfortable, and He Ruhui is twirling his beard, standing next to him, watching those rich and powerful merchants sitting in the cold winter in the open air, He Ruhui There was actually a hint of excitement in his heart. He really admired the moves of the assistant minister.

"How much did Mrs. Fang take out?" After a long time, Xue Poye rubbed his sore eyes and asked lightly.

He Ruhui immediately went to the table in the hall, took a booklet, opened a page, and presented it to Xue Poye, who took it over. The booklet was brand new and clean, with only a short line written.

"Hangzhou, Lu Tianding, donate 1 taels of silver, received!"

He Ruhui stroked his beard and said, "The official talked with Mrs. Fang personally, and she volunteered to donate 1 taels."

Although 1 taels is not a large amount in the Lu family, it is not a small amount to take anywhere.

However, Master Xue, the servant of the household department, frowned when he saw this line of words, looked at He Ruhui very displeased, and said slowly: "Master He, you are the parent official of Hangzhou, you should know the business conditions of Hangzhou, and you should Knowing the wealth of the Lu family, this 1 taels of silver is not even a fart to the Lu family. Doesn’t this mean that the Lu family will fart and beat us up? You know this fundraising, It’s because the imperial court has some problems, and His Majesty the Emperor sighed sadly all night, and we, as ministers, have to share the worries of the Holy One. If this big money is collected, it will make the Holy Majesty even more troubled.” Speaking of this, Xue Poye was very blunt Throwing the booklet on the ground, He Ruhui was so startled that he fell to his knees and kowtowed repeatedly: "I am guilty, I am guilty!"

Xue Poye raised his hand, and said earnestly: "Master He, please get up first!" Seeing that He Ruhui was trembling, he said, "Master He, you know, I don't have any opinion on you. It's just that today we are collecting donations, calling All the merchants in the south of the Yangtze River who have won the table are all millionaires. This is the Lu family in Hangzhou. If even their family only took out a mere ten thousand taels of silver, how could other merchants take more? The Lu family is ours. The benchmark is one of our fundraising targets, if they can't even take it down, it will be a mess for you and me to do this errand."

He Ruhui finally understood Master Xue's meaning, and said: "I understand, I understand. Lord Hou, I would like to make up for my mistakes, and go talk to Mrs. Fang again."

Xue Poye smiled and said: "If any lord goes out, he must be easily caught."

He Ruhui saluted and was about to turn around and go out when Xue Poye suddenly asked: "Master He, do you know what number to talk about?"

He Ruhui hurriedly said: "Please show me, Lord Hou!"

Xue Poye pondered for a while, stretched out a hand, and said with a smile: "For the Lu family, this is not a difficult task." He Ruhui looked at Xue Poye's five fingers, slightly surprised in his heart, this donation of 5 Ten thousand taels is really not a small amount, enough for Lu's family to drink a pot, and immediately take orders respectfully.

A gust of cold wind came in through the half-open window, but it didn't destroy the warmth of the room. Xue Poye picked up the fragrant tea on the table, drank it happily, and told Habayashi Wei by the door: "Everyone, rich masters, please give me a drink!" I'm thirsty, let's go down and serve a cup of tea to everyone."

……

……

The merchants drank tea one cup after another. The cold air forced them to use the temperature of hot tea to increase their body heat. Some people were already shivering from the cold, and regretted wearing less clothes.

Although Mrs. Qiao is old, fortunately, she is well prepared and dressed thickly. Coupled with the hot stove sent by Habayashi Wei, it is not too cold.

"Has the servant arrived yet?" Fang Xiaohu saw Yubayashi delivering the stove to Mrs. Qiao, and immediately understood something in his heart, and couldn't help asking coldly.

Habayashi Wei is a royal soldier, even a small soldier, it is impossible to put a businessman in his eyes, and said lightly: "My lord is still dealing with official business, everyone wait a moment."

"Wait until when?" Someone called out immediately.

"That's right, the servant should always show up, let the big guy stay in the yard, don't you want to freeze to death?"

"To put it bluntly, isn't it just a matter of fundraising? This fundraising is all about fundraising, and doing things when you need to do things. You can't be so wasted?"

The merchants who were unbearably frozen by the cold were very dissatisfied. These people usually live a life of luxury, and even when they sleep, some people throw their quilts, and some people flush the toilet when they shit. How can they bear such a crime.

Habayashi Wei said, "Is it important for adults or yours?", and left quickly.

The old man Qiao showed a smile on his face, took a sip of wine, and leaned on the big chair to hum a song. If someone could hear it clearly, they could tell that the old man was humming the "Hang Tune" created by Xue Poye. Those are just pop songs.

Some businessmen couldn't sit still, so they could only stand up and move around in place to get the blood circulating in their bodies and increase some calories.

Some merchants originally wanted to summon their servants to find some heaters, but when they looked around, they could not see a servant. Instead, they could vaguely see many officers and soldiers hiding in the corners of the surrounding area, even mixed with Habayashi of the Royal Guards.

"Do you want to force us?" Some businessmen immediately became alert.

Xue Poye didn't wait too long, He Ruhui came back in a hurry, and said: "My Lord, after repeated persuasion by the officials, Mrs. Fang is finally willing to donate 5 taels of silver to the court."

Xue Poye stepped forward and patted him on the shoulder, and said with a smile: "I said before, there is nothing that cannot be done by Mr. He."

He Ruhui's expression was ugly, but he still forced a smile, and suddenly knelt down and said, "Your Majesty... I beg your lord to do one thing."

Xue Poye sat down on the chair, and said leisurely: "Master He has any difficulties, just tell me, if I can handle it, I will help you with all my strength."

He Ruhui hurriedly said: "In the future... if the crown prince pursues... in the future, I still... I hope you will say a few good words for the subordinate...!" His face was worried, and the muscles on his face even twitched .

Xue Poye just glanced at him and understood what was going on. This time he was sent to "negotiate" with Madam Fang on the matter of donating money. He must have offended Madam Fang. After the crime, the little prefect of Hangzhou can't afford it.

Xue Poye understood better that He Ruhui had thrown himself into his sect, that's why he was so afraid of the crown prince.

"Master He, how did you persuade Mrs. Fang?" Xue Poye approached with a smile and asked, "That woman is very shrewd, and she gave out 5 taels of silver so easily?"

A stern look flashed across He Ruhui's eyes, and he said respectfully, "My lord, I didn't do anything. At first, the lady gave some excuses to push her back. Later, I told her directly that now it's too... the prince didn't do anything." Here, if she doesn't get 5 taels, I'll let her lose 50 taels, so that's why...hehe, that's why she agrees to hand over the money."

People don't fight with officials, and businessmen are even pariahs. The Fang family has no backing, so they are naturally afraid of threats from the government.

Xue Poye and He Ruhui looked at each other, and suddenly, both of them laughed, very sinister.

"Power is really a good thing!" Xue Poye thought sincerely.

……

The merchants finally waited for someone from the government, but it was a pity that the minister hadn't come out yet, only He Ruhui, the Governor of Hangzhou, came out, and it looked like a greedy He Ruhui.

"Everyone has been waiting, everyone has been waiting!" He Ruhui held his fists with a smile on his face, looking very kind: "Master Xue is dealing with important matters, and I was sent by Master Xue to greet you all. Thank you for your hard work."

Sitting carelessly on the chair brought by the official, He Ruhui twisted his big buttocks to make himself more comfortable, and then said slowly; The purpose of coming to Hangzhou is to raise donations. If there are many disasters today, the Holy One is sympathetic to the people and stays up all day and night, we, the people, should share the worries and sufferings of the Holy One, don’t you think so?”

The businessmen looked at each other, but no one wanted to make a promise.

He Ruhui laughed a few times, and continued: "Speaking of which, you can make a lot of money, it is only because of the prosperity of the country and the people's security. The family is well-off, so it’s not difficult to take out a few cents and donate to the treasury?" Shaking the booklet in his hand, he said loudly: "This is a donation book, and all the money you donate will be recorded one by one. In the future, when you judge meritorious service, you will be able to use it as your own." It's all based on what's written in this booklet." After speaking, he turned a page and read aloud: "Hangzhou, Lu Tianding, 5 taels, received!"

As soon as he finished speaking, there were exclamations all around. Although everyone thought that he would bleed today, they only wanted to donate a few thousand taels of silver at most. Who would have thought that this fire would cost 5 taels.

A discussion sounded.

Although Mrs. Qiao didn't move, he still kept a smiling face, but Fang Xiaohu had already frowned, and his eyes were full of resentment.

Amidst the discussion, Fang Xiaohu coughed lightly twice, and saw a Yangzhou businessman standing up behind him suddenly, and said loudly: "Master He, since the founding of the Great Chu, there has never been such a precedent for soliciting donations. This time, even the Holy Majesty The grassroots didn’t dare to say anything more. It’s just that since ancient times, so-called donations have always been voluntary, and how much to donate is entirely up to each person’s decision. There will always be no amount for this donation?”

He Ruhui said indifferently: "Even soliciting donations, of course it all depends on your own ideas. If you donate more or less, those of us who run errands can't control it."

The merchant immediately said: "That is to say, even if I donate a tael of silver, the government will not say anything more?"

He Ruhui glanced at the merchant coldly, nodded and said, "That's right, hehe, you can donate a tael of silver to try it out." He suddenly stood up, clapped his hands, and immediately turned around several officials from the side , carrying a large table in front of it, and several guys dressed as accountants sat in front of the table, making records.

The merchant glanced at Fang Xiaohu and saw Fang Xiaohu nodded slightly, so he walked over, dropped a piece of silver, and said, "Yangzhou Lin Tao, donate a piece of silver!"

Someone next to it immediately put it away, and the accountant also wrote down the name and the amount of the donated silver.

Lin Tao smiled, clapped his hands, and was about to leave, but He Ruhui said in a cold voice: "Master Lin, don't rush to leave, when the big guys have finished donating, the servant will hold a banquet, eat before leaving. "

"No need." Lin Tao said: "When the money is donated, it's time to go."

He Ruhui shook his head and said: "Master Shi Lang invites a banquet, which represents the imperial court. If Mr. Lin leaves now, it will not give the court face." He said coldly: "Master Lin should sit first, and Mr. Minister Lin will return it later. I want to thank Master Lin for donating a tael of silver to the court."

Lin Tao looked around and saw that the officers and soldiers and the Habayashi guards were all in iron armor. He couldn't help but feel a chill in his heart. Under He Ruhui's cold gaze, he returned to his seat involuntarily.

He Ruhui glanced at all the merchants, and said indifferently: "I have made my words plain today. The Minister of Finance came to Hangzhou to collect donations. There is a certain amount of silver. Before that, the servant minister will probably blame me too, so...hehe, don't all of you come to donate a tael of silver, so as not to lose the big for a small one." After finishing speaking, he ignored everyone and left with his hands behind his back.

The businessmen hanging on the spot were all dumbfounded.

***, it seems that today is not a good day!

Xue Poye stood with his hands behind his back, quietly standing by the window watching what happened outside, with a weird smile on his lips, and a confident look on his face.

Of course he understands that he can only succeed in this fundraising but not fail, and he also understands that if he wants to succeed, he must offend many people, but if he wants to maintain weight in the eyes of His Majesty, no matter what means he uses, he must let the merchants honestly Take out the silver.

"Master Hou, these guys are all pretending to be stupid." He Ruhui returned to the elegant hall, and immediately said angrily.

Xue Poye said indifferently: "If they don't pretend to be stupid, then something is wrong. They are businessmen after all, and they are the most difficult group of people to deal with among human beings."

"Then...then what should we do?" He Ruhui frowned and said, "We can't bring a knife to their necks and force them to take money. They can become big merchants, and there are more or less court forces behind them. Provoking and coercing them, when the officials behind them submit a report to the Holy One to impeach us, then... that would be bad."

Xue Poye shook his head, with a slight smile on his lips, and said: "Don't forget, they are businessmen and rich people. What rich people are best at is enjoying. Once the carved beams and painted buildings are warm in winter and cool in summer, they will Even if you can pretend to be stupid again, there will be times when you can’t pretend.”

He Ruhui seemed to have realized something, and stretched out his thumb and said, "High, it's really high!"

Xue Poye looked at the old man Qiao and asked, "Can the old man hold it?"

"Don't worry, Lord Hou, I've sent someone to deliver a few stoves, and the fires inside can be replaced at any time, so that the old man won't be frozen." He Ruhui said immediately.

"Very good!" Xue Poye expressed his approval with a smile, and ordered; "Master He, why don't you and I play a few games of chess with a little wine."

He Ruhui immediately said with a smile on his face: "I will accompany you as an official, I will accompany you as an official, it's just that Lord Hou wants to be merciful." Immediately ordered someone to bring food and wine to go, and ate small wine and small dishes in the elegant hall , Played Go.

Fang Xiaohu sat in the chair, his body trembling lightly, no matter how tight the clothes were, the cold wind could still find the gaps in the clothes and get in, and the feeling of shade grew stronger and stronger.

The merchants were all huddled, and many of them were already shivering from the cold.

On the other hand, Mrs. Qiao was surrounded by three or four stoves, which were very warm. The old man was drinking wine and eating peanuts. Heating.

We all know that today we met a powerful character, the Minister of the household department did not show his face, just left everyone alone, and never gave everyone a chance to argue.

What a sinister character.

Time was slowly passing by, although some people in the crowd were cursing softly, but even they themselves understood that these cursing did not help the current situation in any way, on the contrary, because of talking too much, the body heat would be lost faster.

Some people couldn't bear it, and they donated silver in the past, and some even gave 5000 taels, but the cashier stepped on the stove, collected the money, recorded the account, but did not make other expressions.

The merchants have already keenly sensed the meaning of Lord Minister. It seems that Lord Minister wants the big guy to bleed profusely today. If the amount of blood does not meet the requirement, I am afraid that everyone will have to sit in the ice and snow all the time.

The Lu family's 5 taels of silver is a benchmark.

The officers and soldiers didn't force or rob them, they just left everyone indifferently, the purpose was to let everyone take out the money obediently, and when the time came to speak out, it was only voluntary, and the government officials didn't even show their blades.

"What a powerful servant!" Fang Xiaohu's voice was colder than the cold wind, he turned to look at Mrs. Qiao, and said indifferently: "Master, you and I represent the interests of merchants in the two prefectures of Su and Yang. The hard-earned money. Old man, shouldn't we think of a way?"

Mrs. Qiao moved her body slightly. His body was warm and drank, but his body was a little numb after sitting for a long time. He sighed softly, "Master Fang, the old man's brain is not good. You have also seen that if we don’t take out the money, we will never be able to get out of this yard. What else can we do? If we want to talk, we have to meet people, but Mr. Minister is still dealing with official business, and it seems that he has no time to talk to us. .”

"We can't let everyone just sit here and suffer from the cold!" Fang Xiaohu said angrily, "How much money does he want?"

Old Master Qiao shook his head and said, "It's not how much money he wants, it's the imperial court. Master Fang, you should know better than me that the imperial court has always had a big appetite. If we can't feed the imperial court, how can the imperial court satisfy us?" His words It's quite a mystery, if it is said which of these merchants knows the appetite of the imperial court best, the Fang family, who is the prince's foreign treasury, definitely knows it better than anyone else.

Fang Xiaohu's expression was ugly, he frowned, looked at the lazy accountants, and snorted coldly.

The crown prince's loss of power made the Fang family in the prince's foreign treasury feel a serious crisis, so the Fang family tried to maintain a peaceful state during the period when the prince was under house arrest.

Of course they were afraid that someone would speak up on the Holy Spirit and abolish the prince's foreign treasury.

Even though the Fang family's wealth is enormous, as long as His Majesty the Emperor says a word, it will soon be wiped out. During this period, the Fang family does not want to offend any court forces and cause disaster.

What's more, the Fang family also knew that the Minister's servant this time was a minister whom His Majesty the Emperor loved very much recently. With such a role, he couldn't be clearly hostile.

Although Fang Xiaohu wanted to tear Xue Poye into pieces in his heart.