Reborn in the last years of Kangxi

Chapter 1165
Beibingmasi Hutong, Beiku of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

The annual auction of the Bank of the Ministry of Internal Affairs is held here. Cao Yong and the sixteenth elder brother came to watch the excitement.Originally there was Elder Seventeen who came with us as agreed, but when it came time for the auction, Elder Seventeen did not come over either.

For the sixteenth elder brother who is already the prince of Heshuo, he no longer looks down on the good things in the eyes of outsiders, such as Zhaizi and Zhuangzi.

He came here on a special trip, because he wanted to buy some good things to decorate the house for Concubine Mi.

Elder Brother Fifteen has opened the mansion, and Concubine Mi has not left the palace yet.

Originally, according to the meaning of elder brothers sixteen and elder seventeen, they hoped that their biological mother would also come out of the palace.Although Concubine Mi cannot live in Prince Zhuang's Mansion, she can enter the fifteenth prince's Baylor Mansion.

However, the emperor wanted to "fulfil his filial piety", so he did not agree to let the two concubines enter the mansion, but he allowed the two concubines and concubines to go out of the mansion to reunite with their children and grandchildren on their birthdays.

The sixteenth elder brother was happily waiting to pick up Concubine Mi to leave the palace, but he didn't expect that there would be another accident when the time came.We can only wait for the next year's Dragon Boat Festival to pick up Concubine Mi to leave the palace.

Cao Yong originally wanted to buy several small villages and give them to Niu Niu as a dowry, and as a wedding gift for Zuo Zhu and Zuo Cheng brothers. Unexpectedly, there were many people who came to participate in the "auction" and the money was rich.

Xiaozhuang also has a house, and it is a popular gift-giving, so the price is relatively high, not much cheaper than the market price.

When Cao Yong saw this, he stopped paying attention, and only stayed with Brother Sixteen, keeping some valuable antique ornaments.

After a while, the sixteenth elder brother bought a jade Fushou screen and a beeswax Guanyin.Although it cost nearly 1 taels of silver, Elder Sixteen was very satisfied, and his depressed mood seemed better.

Cao Yong also made fun of it, and took a handle of Jin Lai Si Wannian Ruyi, and a set of gold chiseled and eight-treasure tableware, which he planned to give to the sixteenth and seventeenth brothers as gifts for the two concubines and concubines. House warming ceremony.

During next year's Dragon Boat Festival, he probably won't be in the capital, and it's not easy to send someone back with a special gift for this, so he took this opportunity to give it.

It's not expensive to be courteous to many people, and you can never go wrong.

The gold is shining brightly in front of his eyes, which arouses the interest of Elder Sixteen.

He opened the eight-treasure tableware for a while, glanced at the plates and spoons inlaid with precious stones, and picked up the heavy and heavy gold Ruyi for a while, looked at Cao Yong with a smile and said: "You are very affordable, real money, don't come Those fake ones."

Cao Yong laughed and said, "It's good that the sixteenth master doesn't think it's vulgar. Those decorations are not as good as the inner ones. It's hard to find a screen that can catch the eye, and let the sixteenth master cut off the beard. I have no choice but to come here Vulgar, save it for the concubine to reward others..."

While the two were talking, they saw a figure walking by the inner window, and then someone opened the door and came in.

Cao Yong and the sixteenth elder brother looked at the door.

The man was wearing a cloak and a fur hat, and he could not see his face clearly when he lowered his head.When he took off his hat, he revealed his face. It was the seventeenth elder brother with a sullen expression on his face.

"Eh? Seventeenth brother didn't say anything when he came late, but he was so angry, why?" Elder Sixteen was a little surprised and asked.

"I arrived just now, and I saw a person's image of Cai Ting, going to the Yage to the west. I don't know why this Zuo Du Yushi came here. I was afraid that he would cause trouble to Brother Sixteen, so I followed the past and took a look." Elder Seventeen sat down, greeted Cao Yong, then looked at several boxes on the table, and said: "Didn't you say that there are some good items for the finale today, and you don't wait?"

Elder Sixteen glanced at him, and said: "Thousands of 8000 taels are elegant and rich when placed at home and played with at hand, but tens of thousands, 10,000+ things, what else can you do besides being locked in the warehouse? Really let it go!" By my side, I worry about whether people are playing with things, or things are playing with people? If you are not careful, you will commit the crime of presumptuousness."

Elder Seventeen laughed twice, and said, "What Brother Sixteen said is that my younger brother seems confused when compared with Brother Sixteen."

The sixteenth elder brother and Cao Yong both know each other well, and they didn't mention the name Cai Ting.

Among the clan kings, Elder Seventeen is notoriously smooth and good-tempered.But even so, it's impossible to please everyone.

This Cai Ting has some issues with Elder Seventeen.

Although Cai Ting was a Jinshi-born official on the right track, there was a Xinglin master in his family who was Cai Ting's uncle.That Xinglin master passed away early, and he didn't accept any external disciples, he only passed on his whole body medical skills to his grandnephew Cai Ting.

Because Cai Ting is the son of an official, he finally obeyed his father's order and passed the imperial examination.

Although Cai Ting seldom took action to treat diseases when he was away, he would not hesitate to go to his relatives and friends who knew the details and came to seek medical treatment.

Those who come and go once and twice are famous in the capital, and some powerful people also invite him three times and four times, asking him to help.

However, there is a taboo for him to go out to see a doctor, and the clan and royal relatives are determined not to go.

In his words, his medical skills were vulgar and he dared not give to the nobles. In fact, he was caused by the incident of seizing the heirloom in the last years of Kangxi.Everyone wanted to win over his governor, Lao Tzu, soliciting him by asking him to see a doctor.

When he was sent to the residence today, he was invited to come to the residence, but he refused.

Brother Seventeen knew about Cai Ting's taboo, so he didn't use his status as a prince to force Cai Ting to go to the mansion to see a doctor. Instead, he spent a lot of thought and persuaded Cai Ting to condescend to a private house through an elder of the Cai family. inquiry.

It is because of Seventeen Fujin's infertility.

It was rumored outside that Cai Jue had an ancestral prescription in his hand, which was to cure female infertility.

The seventeenth elder brother was established at the end of the year, had no heirs, and because of the deep love between husband and wife, he didn't want to embarrass Fujin by having a bastard, so he went through all this thought.

Cai Teng has been an official for many years, and he has the position of Zuodu Yushi, so he has some knowledge.

When I first asked for the pulse, I didn't feel anything. When the maid brought the pen and paper and asked for the square, Cai Ting realized something was wrong.The pens and papers were not available for purchase outside, which was extremely inconsistent with this simple house, and he did not ask the elders of the clan, who was the nobleman who came to see the sick, he left without even prescribing the prescription.

Elder Seventeen had no choice but to come forward in person and beg again and again.

Cai Ting still used the same old excuses, resolutely refusing to go down, and finally broke up in a quarrel.

Cao Yong had already heard Brother Sixteen mention this matter. In fact, in his opinion, there is nothing he can do about Cai Jue being like this.

As long as he opens a mouth, he will become an "emperor doctor" who is not making up.The status of the clan is honorable and life-saving, so there must be a contingency in the future, not only if the crown can be solved, it will affect the family if you are not careful.

But from the standpoint of Brother Seventeen, it is really cruel.

If there is no hope all the time, let it be, and it will be even more heart-wrenching to be disappointed again after seeing hope.

This made the seventeenth elder brother, who was always open-minded, feel a bit of resentment.

Brother Sixteen and Cao Yong couldn't solve it, so they could only avoid this person.

Elder Seventeen was resentful, and took the initiative to mention it, saying: "Guess what he did here? It doesn't look stupid, he is a dog's leg, and he knows how to measure. He knows that those who are qualified to bid for the Ministry of Internal Affairs are mostly Clan and royal relatives, come here honestly and be a photographer."

Elder brother Sixteen and Cao Yong looked at each other, what they said was nonsense.

The little censor in the Inspectorate, who knows no color, may use the clan as a raft in order to gain fame.With the status of Zuo Du Yushi, if he really wants to publicly impeach the clan, it is upholding the above intention and who is really going to take the knife.

I heard Elder Seventeen go on to say: "Just now, I found the manager of the bank and checked the auction brochure. There is a handwritten copy of the Imperial Physician in Chongzhen. That one, Sixteen Brothers and Fu Ruo have to support me this time. No matter how much money, I will take the book."

Since he was interested, Elder Sixteen and Cao Yong fully agreed.

Those who came to participate in the auction were all the royal family members, and when the bank dividends were distributed at the end of the year, everyone was rich.

In order to sell the manuscript for a good price, the host of the auction boasted a lot, saying that there are a few health-preserving prescriptions attached at the back, which can prolong life and reconcile yin and yang, which is equivalent to half a cup of tea.

As a result, the price of that medical book was copied high by everyone.

Even the sixteenth elder brother became interested, and said to the seventeenth elder brother: "After the photo is taken, ask someone to copy a copy for me and Furuo."

Elder Seventeen was originally trying to calm down, but now that he heard that the medical book was really good, his mood became even higher, and he said with a smile: "Of course it's not a problem."

Seeing these two masters trying to make people raise prices, Cao Yong was very involved and couldn't laugh or cry.

Listen to this host's set of "advertising words", which obviously have the characteristics of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and the words must include words such as "royal", "imperial", and "court", just to raise their social status.

It's okay for Mengmeng outsiders, these two are both good-natured, and they have such a lively get-together, entertaining others and themselves.

Within a quarter of an hour, the price of this "Former Court Doctor's Handbook" rose from the base price of 3000 taels to 200 taels with each increase of no less than 8000 taels.

On the host side, the bidding slowed down.

Elder Seventeen asked people to pay attention to the private room in the West Wing, seeing that no one raised the price for a long time, he smiled a little on his face.

Sporadically, someone raised the price twice, and finally the 200th brother bought this "treasure book" at a price of [-] taels of silver.

By the time the book was sent to the box, Elder Seventeen was already grinning from ear to ear.

He took the book, like holding a fragile colored glass, stroked it gently twice, suppressed his smile, walked to Cao Yong, and bent his body down.

Cao Yong stood up, quite helpless.

He understands Cai Ting's principles, and also sympathizes with Elder Seventeen's embarrassment, why does no one understand him?
"The Seventeenth Lord, I killed my minister..." Cao Yong turned sideways, avoiding the ceremony of the Seventeenth Elder Brother.

The seventeenth elder brother heard that Cao Yong called himself a "minister", with a bit of pleading on his face, and said: "Furuo, it's not that I deliberately made you difficult, but that there is no one to ask for. Cai Ting never interacts with the clan. I planned it last time, and I'm afraid it's impossible for someone to ask him to visit again. The only way is to ask Furuo to help me walk through it. I've passed away, but I don't have any children. I lost my family. Joy, suffering beyond words. Quan Dang Furuo pity me, how about giving it a try? Regardless of whether I can get a prescription or not, I will always remember Fu Ruo's great kindness."

Having said that, there is no room for Cao Yong to refuse.

Cao Yong felt bitter in his heart, Cai Jue is now a celebrity in the imperial court, and if he becomes an "evil guest" by himself, he will not offend one or two.

But the relationship with Seventeenth Elder Brother is here, and it is a matter of great importance to the heirs. If you refuse, even if there is no enmity, the relationship will not be the same as before.

Cao Yong had no choice but to take the Chinese medicine book in the hands of Elder Seventeen, and said: "Master Seventeen ordered me to try my best, but everyone said Mr. Cai has a strong temper. If you can't get it back, Lord Seventeen will not blame you. "

Seeing that he agreed, the seventeenth elder brother was overjoyed, and hurriedly bowed to thank him.

The sixteenth elder brother was a little unhappy to see the seventeenth elder brother forcing Cao Yong to be a middleman, but seeing that the seventeenth elder brother was so excited, he covered up his annoyance, looked at the book in Cao Yong's hand and said, "don't worry." Give it away, make a few copies first and keep it." As he spoke, he said to Elder Seventeen: "Since I bought it with you, it's not good for Brother Seventeen to pay for the money by himself, half of the money is for each person."

Elder Seventeen was taken aback when he heard the words, then he shook his head like a rattle and said, "Impossible. I know that Brother Sixteen loves me, but a penny is a penny. It's a loan, it's a loan. I'll wait until the next year. If there is income, I will return it to Brother Sixteen."

The sixteenth elder brother refused, but the seventeenth elder brother was determined, and in the end he had no choice but to comply with the seventeenth elder brother.

After taking this book, Elder Seventeen not only had empty pockets, but also owed more than 1 foreign debts, so naturally he didn’t want to look at it anymore; Elder Sixteen and Cao Yong also lost interest in the auction, and they didn’t wait until the auction ended , everyone came out of the venue.

Brother Seventeen also knew that he was embarrassing Cao Yong, so he wanted to invite Cao Yong to make amends.

In Cao Yong's arms, he still had the land deed of Yanjing obtained from Prince Ping's mansion yesterday. This morning, he had sent someone to Prince Yi's mansion to send a post, and he wanted to pay his respects there.

Brother Seventeen heard that he had something to do, so he didn't force it.The sixteenth elder brother had something to say with Cao Yong, so he found a reason to say goodbye to the seventeenth elder brother and walked with Cao Yong.

"For the sake of heirs, the Seventeenth Brother has been a bit of a demon in the past two years. Not to mention the capital, even some famous doctors on the ground in Zhili have been searched. At the beginning of the year, he even sent people to Fujian to find prescriptions. Mr. Fang, if Mr. Fang hadn't passed away, he would have to be brought back again." Elder Sixteen said.

Cao Yong said: "Master Sixteen needn't say these things. I don't blame Lord Seventeen. I just know how tall I am, so I think it's a mystery."

Brother Sixteen sighed, and said: "Brother Seventeen is not a fool, and he should understand this in his heart. It's just that the matter is important, even if there is only a sliver of hope, he has to try before giving up."

Cao Yong nodded, did not talk about this topic.No matter how unwilling he was, he would go to "visit" the imperial celebrity in the next two days to rush the ducks to the shelves.

"Master Sixteen, it is said that there are many salt wells in Sichuan. Does your family have any industry in that area?" Cao Yong asked, remembering the matter of the salt wells.

"That's a big piece of fat. Which palace in Beijing doesn't mix it? There are three salt farms under my name, all of which were tossed by the old prince when he was alive. It's been a long time, and the salt production has been low in recent years. The people below Reluctant to part with this piece, I urged me several times to open another new well, but I rejected it. Although the imperial court allowed Sichuan to open private salt farms, they had to go to the government office to sell anything, otherwise they would be illegal salt. Those who make money are cheating. If you really want to tear it apart, it is also against the law. Silver is a thing, as long as it is enough for expenses, why bother about it?" Sixteenth elder brother said, looking at Cao Yong: "You won't be Are you tempted? It’s best not to participate, it’s a lot of effort, and it’s easy to cause trouble.”

Cao Yong originally thought about going to see Elder Thirteen today, and suggested that the imperial court should strengthen the control of well salt in Sichuan and increase taxes more, so as to save the imperial court from having no money and everyone is tied up.

With this precedent, in the future, we can adjust the taxation of local intensive industries and enrich the national treasury.

After listening to the words of Brother Sixteen, Cao Yong knew that his thoughts were a little naive.

Yongzheng had the courage to reduce the privileges of the scholar class, but he would not challenge the clan and the Eight Banners dignitaries.

After a while, at the gate of the thirteenth prince's mansion, the sixteenth prince did not go with Cao Yong, but went directly back to the palace.

Cao Yong stood at the gate of Thirteenth Prince's Mansion, touched the land deed in his arms, and changed his mind.

Brother Seventeen's embarrassment made him feel disgusted; he didn't want to repeat the same mistakes, so this incident destroyed the relationship between Brother Thirteen and himself and his brother-in-law.

Therefore, in this meeting, the topic of discussion changed from "private matters" to "official matters".

Zhili has been in drought for a long time, even if the canals are dredged, there is no way if it does not rain.

Although there are drought-resistant crops now, they are gradually spreading, but most of them are corner land.Most of the people are still accustomed to planting "six grains".There is no other reason, but because there are requirements for the official warehouse to collect grain, the rent in kind from the landlord is also rare.

If those few drought-tolerant and high-yield crops are to be truly popularized, the grain collection in the official warehouse must be changed.

The thirteenth elder brother heard Cao Yong's words, suddenly realized, and said: "I can't complain that Baogu has been implemented for several years, and there are many counties that have achieved results. It turns out that this is the reason. It is also a big event to exchange official warehouses for rice. For thousands of years, the common people The food is all the same, and if you change the corn, it may not be easy to eat."

"Master Thirteen, sorghum and corn are both coarse grains. For the common people, they are food for the stomach. What's the difference? Rich people buy rice from the south if they don't have food for themselves. Who would eat it? The rice in the official warehouse?" Cao Yong said.

Elder Brother Thirteen nodded and said, "I was thinking about it. The grain in the official warehouse is for famine. In a famine year, it's good to endure hunger. Who would be picky about whether it's delicious or not?"

It's about people's livelihood, Brother Thirteen asked very carefully, in addition to asking about the storage situation of Cao Yong's local granary, he also made a special trip to ask him about the second season of crops.

If the number of acres for second-season crops increases, it is equivalent to doubling the land.

When even Zhili, which has experienced nine droughts for ten years, can survive the famine years without relying on the government's relief, then other provinces can learn from Zhili's methods and reduce the burden on the court.

Now it is an agricultural society, and agriculture is the foundation. Cao Yong, the governor, talks about farming in Zhili in a clear way.

The thirteenth elder brother was quite relieved, looked at Cao Yong and said: "I have known for a long time that you are a great talent, you can be the first among the common people, and your name will be remembered in history."

This is too much praise, Cao Yong dare not dare.

After finishing the official business, Cao Yong said casually: "My lord, I have something to do, I don't know how to do it, I want to ask my lord for advice."

Elder Brother Thirteen smiled and said, "You are a great governor who deserves everyone's praise. Why do you turn to me for advice? Come to think of it, do you want to use my name to beat up those people in Zhili, or what? ?”

Cao Yong shook his head and said: "It's not about my minister, it's about my brother-in-law who is worried these days... A few years ago when I went to the Northwest with the Fourteenth Master, I passed by Sichuan and received Nian Gengyao's filial piety. At that time, he didn't take it seriously Son, I'm a little worried now... I advised him to hand over the things, so as not to cause trouble in the future... But I'm also worried that it's inappropriate and will cause the emperor to anger..."

The thirteenth elder brother listened, his face turned serious, he thought for a while, and said: "Let's wait, Nian Gengyao's case has been arguing for a year, and the emperor is already bored... Finally, the dust has finally settled. Definitely, let’s think about it in a few days…”

(End of this chapter)