Ming Dynasty 1566

Chapter 108

The pleasure of singing and ears is completely different here in Jiajing. The singing voice of bells, chimes, silk, bamboo and sandalwood is of no interest.There are only three kinds of sounds he likes to hear the most: one is the sound of bells and drums reciting mantras when setting up an altar to pray for sacrifices, the other is the four or six flat tones when reading Qing Ci aloud, and the third is the abacus from the huge abacus in the outer hall. It crackled.When one of these three voices sounded, his eyes would light up, and his heart would be fascinated.

The lights were brightly lit, there was heavy snow outside the windows, and the windows were all open again.The snowy wind of the cold night made Jiajing's silk shirt flutter back.On the imperial case where he was standing, there were many jade paperweights, pressing the bills one by one, so as not to be blown away by the wind.

After winter this year, the abode has undergone another modification. The gauze curtain that usually used to separate the main hall is gone, and red sandalwood banner doors have been installed between the abbot and the main hall, and the lattice space above the doors has been pasted. Vellum.The eunuchs on duty here said that this is the new "virtuous government" of Lord Long Live this year.In previous winters, because the emperor couldn't bear the smoke and fire, braziers were generally not allowed to be lit in the main hall outside, and the people on duty were frozen to death.This year, let the red sandalwood banner door be installed here, so that the outer hall can be lit, which just plays the role of the difference between the temperature and temperature of the first hall.In fact, there is another reason why Jiajing is unwilling to tell outsiders. This year, he suddenly felt that the loud sound of abacus made his ears uncomfortable, and the sound of the noodle door was just right.

At this time, he was standing in front of the case, with the snow wind blowing outside the window, looking at the bill, listening to the abacus, his eyes sparkling.

The most miserable one is still Lu Fang. He is a mortal, so he has to change clothes when the seasons change, but at this time, he can’t wear thick clothes or thin ones, so he can only wear a jacket. It was a cold wind, he immediately closed the door, tightened his chest with one hand, and put the shiny ink-stained bill on the imperial case with the other hand, pressing it on the jade paperweight.Jiajing's gaze immediately turned to the bill.

Lu Fang wrapped her clothes tightly and walked towards the gate.

"Come here." Jiajing's eyes moved from the bill to him.

Lu Fang turned around quickly: "Master."

Jiajing walked up to the altar, opened the lid of the box and took out a bright red pill with two fingers: "Eat it, it won't be cold anymore."

Lu Fang hurried over and knelt down, took the pill with her hands facing upwards: "Thank you, Master Long En." Saying that, he immediately stuffed the pill into his mouth, then stood up and retreated to the door to open a line Squeeze out and close the door.

After going out, he immediately turned his face and spit out the pill, took out a handkerchief from his sleeve, wrapped it and stuffed it into his skirt, and then walked towards the center of the hall.

He looked at the wooden box with the seal of "Salt Transport Envoy". Finish the calculation with this batch of accounts.

The sound of counting beads gradually faded away, and almost at the same time, the twelve eunuchs in front of the two long cases finished all the accounts.

The twelve eunuchs simultaneously picked up the last page of accounts they wrote down, held them to their mouths and dried them carefully.

One of the two eunuchs delivering the accounts went to the case on the left and collected the six account pages, and the other went to the case on the right to collect the six account pages, and they both went to Lu Fang and presented them with both hands.

Lu Fang took the twelve account pages: "Withdrawn."

The six eunuchs on the left lifted the huge abacus on the left case and walked out softly.

The six eunuchs on the right raised the huge abacus on the right case and walked out quietly.

A eunuch delivering accounts put a brass lock on the palace wooden box containing the original account book and locked it with a bang, then handed the long copper key to the eunuch delivering accounts standing beside him, who held the key in both hands. The key walked up to Lu Fang and presented it.

Lu Fang took the key: "Pick out the lamp, move the brazier out and close the palace door."

"Yes." The two eunuchs went to the table next to the wall, each picked up a copper plate and a pair of scissors, one went to the left, the other went to the right, and each took the wicks of two huge candles burning with open flames. Cut it and put it in the copper plate, then go to cut the second lamp.

Only then did Lu Fang walk towards the door of the Abode with the stack of account pages and the long copper key on the account pages.

Jiajing had read all the bills on the imperial case, and had already sat back on the futon.

Lu Fang came in and walked to Jiajing's side, first presented the copper key to Jiajing, who took the key and hung it on the belt of his underwear.

Lu Fang then presented the first page of the stack of bills in her hand.

Jiajing took it and quickly read the bill. Lu Fang took the bill back and presented the second page.

Then came the third page, then the fourth page... all twelve pages of bills were read in a moment.

Lu Fang absolutely did not look at Jiajing's face at this time, took the No. 12 bill and went to the imperial case to collect the bills pressed with a paperweight.

"Last year, how much tax did the inspector sent by the imperial court go to Huaihe River and Zhejiang Province?" Jiajing asked.

Lu Fang: "Back to the master, it seems to be more than 140 million taels."

Jiajing: "What about the year before last?"

Lu Fang: "It's more than 170 million taels."

Jiajing stood up from the futon, and began to walk around with his sleeves fluttering again: "It is less and less every year to send others to collect taxes. When Yan Maoqing went, he recovered 330 million taels in one go, which was more than others in two years. What do you think?"

Lu Fang thought for a while before answering: "It's better to be the elder Yan Ge!"

Jiajing stopped suddenly, staring at Lu Fang slowly, his eyes seemed to turn him upside down: "Why did you vomit the pill I gave you?"

Lu Fang was stunned for a moment, then knelt down: "Master Fayan. The slave is hiding the elixir. The slave has selfish intentions."

Jiajing: "Are you afraid you will die if you eat it?"

Lu Fang immediately kowtowed: "Back to the master, how can you die if you eat the elixir and live longer? The slave is thinking of Yang Jinshui."

"You want to give that pill to Yang Jinshui?" Jiajing's eyes slowly turned sideways.

Lu Fang: "Master Shengming. In the afternoon, I heard people say that Yang Jinshui is still wearing a single shirt and walking in the yard at night in such a cold day."

Jiajing: "Lan Shenxian and those people don't care about him?"

Lu Fang: "It's not that I don't care about it. Lan Shenxian said that this is his injustice, and it will be fine when the retribution is over."

Jiajing was silent, and looked out of the window: "Yang Jinshui has been in Hangzhou for four years, and he still has some credit. If he is not crazy, 50 bolts of silk will be woven this year. Why do I have to live by begging for money? No You are a reliable person, and now even you are not sincere."

Lu Fang raised her head and looked at Jiajing sadly: "Where the slave is not sincere, please tell the master clearly."

Jiajing: "I just asked you how Yan Maoqing could collect so much money when he went down, why didn't you tell the truth?"

Lu Fang: "The universe is in the master's hands, and the master's heart is brighter than the sun and the moon."

Jiajing: "I understand it's my business, I want to listen to you now."

Lu Fang: "Yes. Yanyin in Huaihe River and Zhejiang Province received tens of millions of taxes every year during the time of Grandfather Taizu and Grandfather Cheng. Since then, it has decreased year by year, and some of them are indeed directly transferred to Nanjing. Bian Chong has been used for public use, but it will not be like the year before last and last year, when he could only collect more than 100 million taels. This year, Yan Maoqing took back 330 million taels when he went there. There is only one reason. The old people in Xiaoge have been greedy for their money layer by layer. They have worked hard, and even if they send people to check, they can't find out even one or two, but as long as Yan Maoqing goes, they will obediently donate it. It's sad to say If so, more than half of the keys to the Ming treasury are in their hands. The court needs money, and only they can open this door."

Jiajing: "Now you understand why I didn't pursue Yan Shifan and the others last time, but instead sent Yan Maoqing to the south to inspect salt?"

Lu Fang said loudly: "Master Shengming! This slave still has a crush on Chen Zuo."

Jiajing: "Say."

Lu Fang: "Zhu Qi and the others have been following Yan Maoqing's fleet, and they came back today. Zhu Qi came to see the servants before dark. He said that Yan Maoqing still had three ships before he escorted the silver back to Beijing."

Jiajing: "What three ships? To put it bluntly, several million taels were transported, right?"

Lu Fang: "Sheng Ming has no fault with the master. Our people in Nanzhili also reported that Yan Maoqing collected at least 500 million taels of tax money for his salt tour this year. In addition to the reported 330 million taels, he also concealed at least 200 million taels Two. Two boats went to Jiangxi, one sailed to Fenyi Yange’s hometown, and the other sailed to Fengcheng Yan Maoqing’s own home. The other boat sailed back to Beijing as a merchant ship a month ago.”

Jiajing: "Okay! Two million taels of silver and three boats, traveling south and north, I built this canal for them in the Ming Dynasty." Speaking of which, he picked up Yan Maoqing's memorabilia on the stack of bills in the imperial case: " Yan Maoqing, a mouse, actually said in the memorial that he dared to resign from his labors to relieve the king's worries. He also said that he had discussed with Yan Shifan and left 200 million taels for me to build the Longevity Palace? They took 100 million of my money , give me 200 million, and I want to thank them!" At this point, he picked up the stack of bills and threw them on the ground, his face was livid, and his panting worsened.

"Master!" Lu Fang got up in a hurry, ran over to hold Jiajing's arm with one hand, and slowly stroked his back with the other hand, "Master, don't hurt the fairy body. Otherwise, this slave is called Dong People from the factory and the Zhenfu Division surrounded their homes!"

After all, Jiajing is a person who meditates every day, so he quickly calmed down his breathing, shook off Lu Fang's hand, and went back to sit in front of the futon: "It's time to collect the net! But it's not time to raid the house yet."

"Yes." Lu Fang walked over again, "What should I do next, please show me, master."

Jiajing: "Chinese New Year is coming soon. Let them make a fortune and have a happy New Year."

After Lu Fang clarified Jiajing's intentions, she no longer kept secrets: "'You will kill yourself if you do many unrighteous deeds'. The slave understands the master's holy will. In order to prevent them from transferring the stolen money, you must first stabilize them. You must stabilize them. They, some things are not easy for slaves to handle."

Jiajing: "What's the matter?"

Lu Fang: "Back to the master, Zhu Qi escorted Qi Dazhu released by Hai Rui back to Beijing today. Yan Shifan seized this matter and said it was a serious crime of colluding with the Japanese, so he wanted to investigate it to the end. The slaves thought, they are targeting Yu Yu. The prince and the others are here. If they don’t check, they will become suspicious; if they check, they will hurt Prince Yu again.”

A fierce light appeared in Jiajing's eyes: "What does he mean by Yan Shifan, that my son can also learn Japanese?"

Lu Fang: "Then he doesn't dare. They want to use this person to attack Hai Rui first, and then the people around Lord Yu. The world will be theirs again."

Jiajing thought for a while: "Then let the Zhenfu Division judge first, and execute this person years ago, so as to calm their hearts and stop their thoughts."

Lu Fang hesitated for a moment, and replied: "Yes. The slave greets Beizhen Fusi."

Jiajing's love for Lu Fang came back again: "If you offend my son, you don't need to come forward. Chen Hong should be in charge of the town governor, and Chen Hong should handle it."

Lu Fang lowered her head: "Yes."

Jiajing: "Yan Song should be waiting for my order now. Call him and Xu Jie."

Lu Fang: "Yes."

Kunqu opera was still singing outside the window, Yan Song seemed to have sensed something suddenly, and raised his hand.

Yan Maoqing immediately walked to the window: "Stop!"

The sandalwood flute and the singing voice stopped in unison.

Yan Song looked at Yan Maoqing: "It's about time. Jing Xiu hasn't been home for several months, so go back. And you all, go back."

Yan Shifan: "It's time for the old man to take a break. Let's break up today. Tomorrow morning, Long Wen, in the name of the Secretary of General Administration, will urge the Ministry of Punishment to run Wen Beizhen Fusi. The case of Qi Dazhu's communication with the Japanese should be investigated as soon as possible. In the afternoon, we will accompany the old man to listen to Kunqu opera .”

Luo Longwen: "You have to listen to "Huan Sha Ji" for several days, not to mention there are so many? It's almost Chinese New Year, and I have done all the things that should be done a year ago. During the first month, I will accompany the old man to listen slowly."

"Okay!" Yan Maoqing said immediately outside the window, "That's all for today. Everyone went to the conservatory to take a bath, have a midnight snack, and rest. Tomorrow, I will sing the whole version of "The Story of Huansha" to Mr. Ge "."

Busy voices echoed outside the window, obviously everyone was packing up their things.

Yan Shifan: "Father, let's go then."

Yan Song waved his hand: "Let's go."

The three saluted Yan Song again, Luo Longwen and Yan Maoqing walked out after Yan Shifan, and a follower led two maidservants in and closed the door.

The attendant said to the two maidservants: "Warm the bed and wait for the old man to rest."

"Yes." The two maidservants walked into the side bedroom.

Yan Song: "I can't rest. Prepare a soup lady for me, and arrange a warm sedan chair."

The follower: "Master Ge, where are you going so late?"

Yan Song: "Get ready, maybe you have to enter the palace."

Before the attendant could react, a report came from outside the door: "Reporting to the elder, the emperor summoned the elder to enter the palace."

The attendant was convinced, and replied loudly: "Understood!" Then he turned to the bedroom and said, "Come on, serve the old man to enter the palace!"

The two maidservants hurried out of the bedroom while buttoning up their clothes, and waited for Yan Song to change.

There was no fire in Yuxi Palace, and the windows were still open. When the cold wind hit, Xu Jie could stand it, but Yan Song was old after all. Even though he was wearing thick clothes, he still felt the cold to his bones It hurts.

"Close the window." Jiajing greeted Lu Fang while sitting on the futon.

"Yes." Lu Fang walked over and closed the windows.

Immediately it was not so cold, the two of them stood, Yan Song was dazzled, but Xu Jie had already realized that the two embroidered piers that they should have had at ordinary times were gone.

"Bring it in!" Lu Fang shouted to the door.

(End of this chapter)