Reborn in the last years of Kangxi

Chapter 1200 Prime Minister's intestines

Seeing Zhaojia's behavior, Cao Xiang sneered in his heart. Most of the fields listed in the public accounts came from the time when he separated from the long house, and there were also the small villages that Zhaojia bought later.

The silver used to buy Xiaozhuang was to embezzle the 1 taels of wedding silver between him and Xiao Wu.

The so-called 5000 taels of wedding silver per person left by the old lady was less than a thousand taels that were actually spent on him, and the remaining 4000 taels were held in the hands of Zhao Jia.

Now, it is proposed to move the fields in the public.

The three brothers have not yet separated, so the field is shared by the three brothers.The other two are the biological sons of Zhao Jia's family. Even though she loves the girl, she has no reason to go over the eldest and youngest sons.

Cao Xiang felt very boring, and smiled lightly: "Second brother is not here, so the old lady is the one to decide."

Immediately, Zhao Jia felt a lot more comfortable in her heart, nodded, and said, "It's the fourth sister's blessing that you brothers are willing to love her..."

Withdrew from the upper room, Cao Xiang let out a sigh, and shook his head mockingly.

Who cares about a few more acres of land?
Whenever he wanted to forget the meanness and injustice he encountered in his childhood and get along with his family in friendship, his aunt would pour cold water on him face to face.

Five times and three times, no matter how warm my heart is, it turns cold...

*
As for the fourth sister's marriage to the elder brother of the untitled clan, the West Mansion is very optimistic.

The situation in the world is like this, if you can't rely on your own family, you should pay attention to your family;

As long as they are willing to respect their wives and families, the life of the fourth sister will not be so bad.As for appearance and character, I don't worry about it. After all, they were selected by the thirteen Fujin, so I don't think it will be too bad.

A few days later, Aunt Gui brought He Lingzhi to the door, this time to Cao's house to ask about Niu Niu's life.

Once the small date is determined, the auspicious date for marriage can be determined, and the big decision will be made in November.

Before that, Wei Wenzhi came over to greet the elders, and also told Cao Yong about his own marriage.

For Cao Yong's arrangement, he agrees very much.He also felt that it was inappropriate for the new sister-in-law, who had been married for less than a month, to organize a wedding and open the door for guests.

Therefore, the two families agreed to make a big deal on the sixth day of November, and the wedding date is set in April next year.

The housework is almost done, and it seems that there is nothing to worry about, but Cao Yong's life in the Yamen is a bit difficult, at least in the eyes of others, it is very "difficult".

It stands to reason that Zhang Tingyu made up the Han Shangshu, and Cao Yong made up the Manchu Shangshu, so Cao Yong should be the official in charge of printing; but Zhang Tingyu is a bachelor, in charge of the Ministry of Households and the Ministry of Industry, and is a Zhongtang University scholar.

Zhang Tingyu arrived at the household department earlier than Cao Yong, and the official seal of this household department was already in Zhang Tingyu's hands.

Although Zhang Tingyu wanted to transfer the seal to Cao Yong when he first returned to the Ministry of Household Affairs to report his duties, Cao Yong didn't want it.

Cao Yong joined the household department after Sun Zhaqi's vacancy; before that, Zhang Tingyu had been the official of the household department in the capacity of Han Shangshu.Without a special purpose, Cao Yong took the seal from his hand, which was a little too big.

Besides, Zhang Tingyu still has the status of a master of the palm department, even if the official seal of the household department is in the palm of Cao Yong, there is no reason for self-discipline, and he still has to ask Zhang Tingyu for instructions in case of trouble.

For this reason, Cao Yong felt that there was no need to do anything extra, so he resigned firmly. In the end, Zhang Tingyu took the Zhengyin of the Ministry of Household.

In the eyes of outsiders, it is because Cao Yong, the new minister, lacks confidence, and it is inevitable that there will be some rhetoric in the Yamen.

It is said that Cao Yong is incompetent, and only in the eyes of the emperor, he made up for fat vacancies one after another. In fact, it is just a display;

In addition, Zhang Tingyu is cautious, and the same is true when dealing with government affairs.No matter what official documents, you have to read them yourself before drawing conclusions, even if Cao Yong has already dealt with them.

In the eyes of outsiders, this is a bit too much.

Compared with Zhang Tingyu, Cao Yong can be regarded as an old man in the household department.He worked as a doctor in the household department, and also as a servant. Many deployments have now become old people in the household department, scattered in various departments, and many people complained about Cao Yong's injustice.

Coupled with those who want to fish in troubled waters, adding fuel to the flames, the atmosphere in the household department is very tense.

Cao Yong was very speechless, although in the eyes of outsiders, he was only one grade worse than Zhang Tingyu, but the identity of the royal family, even if not evenly matched, should be about the same.

Cao Yong has self-knowledge, he became an official at the age of 16, and Zhang Tingyu was appointed an official at 32. Zhang Tingyu has read 16 years more than him.

After he became an official, the magistrates, the Taipu Temple, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Ministry of Household Affairs, and the foreign party, all with a hammer in the east and a stick in the west, did not have a senior yamen. After joining the South Study, he has been in front of the imperial court, promoted step by step, and has not made any mistakes.

Besides, Cao Yong was born in Weaving Mansion, and his father had some methods at that time, most of which were private and could not be taught by words and deeds.

Cao Yong's "Yangmou" and "conspiracy" are mostly on paper.

Zhang Tingyu was born in a prime minister's mansion, and his father was a famous prime minister in the Kangxi Dynasty. After 20 years of walking in the imperial court, his knowledge is naturally not comparable to that of Cao Yong.

Cao Yong respected Zhang Tingyu, the "senator of the three dynasties" who left history.

He is also cautious in nature, and Shangshu is no more than a servant, and he needs to pay more attention. It is inevitable that there will be places that he can't take care of. Cao Yong can't wait to have a diligent person like Zhang Tingyu on his head.

After all, this household is the deepest water, even if you don't reach out, it's easy to get fishy.

Cao Yong calmly made a transfer point, read the official document below and handed it to Zhang Tingyu.Then he followed Zhang Tingyu's famous saying, "It is better to be silent than a thousand words", and listened to Zhang Tingyu's instructions in everything.

The effect is very good, the working time is shortened by half, and I can spend a lot of free time every day, and I am much more relaxed; in addition, this taciturn attitude also seems a bit unpredictable, which adds a lot of official authority.

Liberated from this trivial official document, Cao Yong was free to think about the way to enrich the country.

Yongzheng is a pragmatic emperor. If Cao Yong wants to live a smooth life, he must have some achievements in order to have the confidence to dawdle.

Today, the three major reforms of the Yongzheng Dynasty, "Allotment into the mu" and "Consumption and envy to the public" have already been implemented, and only "officials and gentry pay food together", although there have been some rumors over the years, they have not been implemented.

This is an act that challenges the entire gentry class, and Cao Yong does not want to poke this hornet's nest.

Thinking again and again, Cao Yong decided to start from two aspects. The first is the pros and cons of developing coal and iron mines.The second is the role of foreign trade in enriching countries.

He gave full play to the motivation of writing papers in school in his previous life, and began to consult various materials and sort out various data. These two topics are not aimless, and the former is to prepare for the upcoming western war.

Although I don't know that the Northwest War broke out again in the Yongzheng years, the reason why the Military Aircraft Department was established was for the Northwest War. Cao Yong remembered it.

The latter is due to the [-] mu of opium in the southwest and the emperor's constant attention to the Guangdong Customs.

After returning to the capital, Song Hou let go of his role as a staff member and went home to play with his grandson; Jiang Jian, as in the past, took up the status of a clerical staff, and followed Cao Yong to assist in official affairs.

Jiang Jian was very excited that Cao Yong turned his attention away from the three-acre land of the household department and "doesn't do his job properly".

Men have an adventurous spirit in their bones and are willing to challenge the unknown.

Cao Yong was contented, but Brother Thirteen couldn't bear it.

He is optimistic about Cao Yong, and now he sees Cao Yong "quiet" in order to avoid Zhang Tingyu's edge, and feels embarrassed.

On this day, Cao Yong took a rest, and the thirteenth elder brother asked Cao Yong to come over to the house.

After thinking about it for a while, Cao Yong brought his book about maritime trade, and put the coal and iron one at home.

After all, there is no major movement in the Northwest right now, and it is too sensitive to directly mention the matter of armaments.

When he arrived at Prince Yi's Mansion, Cao Yong was directly introduced into the Flower Hall.

Although it was cold outside at the beginning of winter, the house was as warm as spring. There were two plates of green grass and trees at the door, which seemed to be full of vitality.

The thirteenth elder brother sat cross-legged on the floor, with a chessboard in front of him.

Seeing this, Cao Yong took two steps forward to salute.Brother Thirteen waved his hands and shouted, pointed to the seat opposite, and said, "Come on, come on, let's have a talk with Grandpa."

It was okay in the early years, but in recent years, Cao Yong has become less and less fond of such mind-consuming entertainment.

But when the thirteenth elder brother invited him, Cao Yong could only say: "In this case, the minister will show his shame."

He sat opposite the thirteenth elder brother, the thirteenth elder brother was in charge of white, and Cao Yong was in charge of black.

This is a very elegant thing, but the thirteenth elder brother has a temperament of Lang Kuo, and his actions are straightforward; Cao Yong is also lazy, and most of the time, he just goes with the flow.

Not long after, a lot of pieces fell on the chessboard.

Although Cao Yong didn't pay much attention, but both Cao Yin and Zhuang Xi love to talk with each other. In order to accompany these two elders, he set up a lot of chess records, and he has some chess skills.

When it was time to receive the palace, it was not too embarrassing to lose with five sons.

The thirteenth elder brother put down the chess pieces, glanced at Cao Yong, and said, "Furuo has hills and valleys in his heart, but he has no desire to win. Why?"

Cao Yong said "hehe" twice, and said: "It's because the minister is not strong enough in chess."

Elder Brother Thirteen shook his head, frowned and said, "I'm a fool. If you flatter me like the people outside, I won't have the patience to do it anymore. You don't have to be clumsy in front of me. My brother Tell me what's on your mind. From the head priest of the world who holds great power to the current court official, do you really have no complaints at all?"

After listening to Brother Thirteen's words, Cao Yong's mind was full of thoughts.

If, after 300 years, one becomes a high-ranking official at a young age, one must "devote oneself", "forget eating and sleeping", and concentrate on climbing the ranks.Which man doesn't love power?
Now is 300 years ago, when the feudal imperial power system was at its peak, he worked hard, but he was just the emperor's servant, and his life and death were all between the emperor's joy and anger, so what's the point?
Right now, he is short of entering the cabinet before retiring, and he is stuck with his age and resume.Even if Cao Yong has to worry about official duties for twelve hours now, and is exhausted to death, he is still not qualified if he is not qualified.

Since we don't fight for the day and night, of course we plan slowly, and there is no need to meet Zhang Tingyu, who can still dance in the court for two or 30 years, just because of a few gossips from others.

Thinking of this, Cao Yong got up and said: "The household department has a lot of errands and is related to people's livelihood. The minister is trembling, for fear of taking into account the shortcomings. Unexpectedly, it is unfounded worry. With Zhang Xiang sitting in the household department, the household department has no worries. The minister's heart I am very fortunate, so why talk about complaining?"

His face was calm, the thirteenth brother looked at him twice, sighed, and said: "I didn't expect that after so many years, you can still keep your heart and don't love power, wealth and honor. It's the belly of a gentleman."

After a few words, Cao Yong was a little embarrassed, and hurriedly said: "I know that there are some gossips in the yamen, and the Thirteenth Lord's inquiries are just out of love."

Elder Brother Thirteen nodded, quite relieved, and said with a smile: "If you know this, I don't think you don't care about it." Having said this, he paused, and said: "Even if there are capable ministers in the household department , you can't be too lazy, since the emperor favors you, you can't live up to the grace."

Cao Yong lowered his hands and listened, and said: "Although he is a man of no talent, he dare not be slack." Then, he took out the booklet from his sleeve and offered the thirteen elder brothers with both hands: "These days, I have been thinking hard about getting rich. The law of the national treasury is a bit shallow, please correct me by Lord Thirteen."

The thirteenth elder brother was quite surprised when he heard the words, and his expression was slightly restrained. He took the script and read it carefully.

His expression became more and more relaxed, and at the end, he patted his thigh and said: "Okay, what a 'raise the country's prestige, suppress the four barbarians, refuse the scabies outside the border, and send all directions to make pilgrimage to the emperor'!"

Cao Yong sneered in his heart, it was just a slogan, if he wrote it directly to earn money from foreigners, before the emperor could say anything, the gang of censors would jump up and down, saying something like "talking about benefits with the country is an insult to the country's constitution" and so on.

Elder Brother Thirteen had joy in his eyes, and said with a smile: "I know you are a caring person, and you will not disappoint the Emperor's respect."

He couldn't sit still anymore, got up and said: "I want to enter the palace. The emperor has been thinking about the maritime trade these days, but he doesn't know where to start. Your book is just in time."

Cao Yong was taken aback when he heard the words, and hurriedly said: "Master Thirteen, this report is only a draft, and there are still many deficiencies. Can you wait two days before handing it over?"

Although it is a draft, there are tens of thousands of words, half a foot thick.

The reason why it is difficult to hand it to the imperial court is because the ink marks are new and old, and in some places, there are also statistics on the tax revenue of the Southern Song Dynasty sea trade that were added later, which seems a bit messy.

Elder Brother Thirteen smiled and shook his head, as if pointing something, he said: "It's just right, if you wait two days and write it neatly, maybe you've committed a taboo instead."

Cao Yong thought about the information revealed in the words of the thirteenth brother just now, and after he understood it, he only felt a chill down his back.

Coming out of Thirteenth Elder Brother's Mansion, Cao Yong stroked his forehead, feeling very lucky...

*
Just arrived at the gate of Cao Mansion, before dismounting, Cao Yong saw several familiar figures coming out of the mansion.

Seeing Cao Yong, with a smile on his face, he got off his horse.

"Master!" It was none other than Cao Yi and Zhang Yi who had accompanied Hang Seng to Khalkha with a weathered look on his face.

Others don't know the distance of the road, but Cao Yong knows that the Khan's territory where Hang Seng's biological father is located, even if it is a fast horse, it will take more than a month to get to Beijing.

"I thought you would come back in the next year, why so fast?" Cao Yong helped the two of them up and asked with a smile.

Although Hang Seng mentioned before leaving that he would fight for the Double Ninth Festival, Cao Yong did not take it seriously.

Counting the days, Hang Seng did not leave Beijing until late June, and even if he did not stay in Khalkha, it would take three months to travel back and forth.

I'm back now, and I haven't stayed in Khalkha for a full month.

With the love of the son that the son has shown in the past few years, he should not treat Hang Seng slowly,
Could it be the old Khan or the eldest son Fujin...

Cao Yong couldn't help frowning, although Hang Seng's life experience, in the eyes of the world, is a lot of criticism, but he is a person who protects his shortcomings, and he has no reason to let others wrong his children.

He turned around and said to Zhang Yi, "What's the situation over there in Khalkha, can you tell me about it?"

"My lord, the old King Khan is dead. Now that the son of the royal family is in charge, he has sent his officials to Beijing to report to the Lifan Court, and he also brought a copy of the emperor. The son originally wanted to keep the second master for the New Year, but the second master only said I was busy with schoolwork, so I went on the road together with the subordinate officials from King Khan's Mansion who came to Beijing." Zhang Yi bowed and replied: "In front of the son, the second master didn't say anything, but he talked about it with the younger ones in private. The second master is concerned about the family. , thinking about the end of the uncle and the others, and Miss Ping's departure from the court." Zhang Yi said with a bow.

Zhang Yi is a few years older than Cao Yong, and he is in the prime of life; although Cao Yi is past his age, he was born as a warrior, and his body has always been strong.

Now the two of them have lost a lot, their lips are chapped, their complexions are red and black, and their eyes are sunken.

The two of them are like this, let alone Hang Seng who is still a young boy.

Cao Yong shook his head and said: "He is messing around, you don't want to persuade him, why is he in such a hurry."

Zhang Yi hesitated for a moment, and said: "I didn't rush like this before. When I arrived at Guihua, I heard that the master was dismissed as the governor of Zhili. The second master was worried, so he rushed back all the way without stopping."

Although he didn't mention his height, he didn't even change his clothes. When he came back to welcome Cao Yong at the door, he was no less worried than Hang Seng.

Cao Yong saw the concern in his eyes, and was quite moved in his heart, but he remembered the injury of Zhang Yi's eldest son, and said: "Go home first. During the Mid-Autumn Festival, something happened while watching the lanterns. Zhang Ao and Changsheng They were all injured. Thanks to the Zheng family's second child, nothing serious happened."

Zhang Yi didn't take it seriously, and said with a smile: "I heard about it, the boy is naughty, bumping into each other, but it's normal, it's not a big deal, but I'm going to trouble the master."

Although he said it lightly, he still cared about his son, and after he said a few more words, Zhang Yi hurried away.

Cao Yi remained, "hehe" stood aside, but refused to leave.

When Cao Yong saw this, he couldn't help but wonder.Cao Yi came from a reckless background, and he has always spoken and acted without restraint. When was he so hesitant and shy?
"Second priest, do you have something to say to Cao?" Cao Yong hurriedly entered the inner courtyard to see Hang Seng, so he said bluntly.

Cao Yi suppressed his smile, and said solemnly, "Master Cao, do you still remember that before I escorted the second son out of Qingyuan, I mentioned to Master Cao that I would like to ask Master Cao for a favor when I come back?"

Cao Yong nodded, there is such a thing.Cao Yong also said at the time that as long as he does not violate the law, Cao Yong will do his best.

For nothing else, he has worshiped Cao Yi in Cao's house for more than ten years, and guarded the safety of Cao's house. Cao Yong had long wanted to do something for him.

When Cao Yin brought several priests to Beijing, some returned their favors and went back separately. Those who stayed in the Cao family also married wives and had children, and settled down. Only Cao Jia and Cao Yi contributed the most. still alone...

*
There are still four days left, two hundred votes away from sixth, and one hundred has been caught up.In the next four days, Xiao Jiu will continue to work hard...

(End of this chapter)