Reborn in the last years of Kangxi

Chapter 146
After the initial "run-in period", the several hall officials above the household department began to look like they were performing their duties and working together as one, but the atmosphere in the yamen gradually became subtle.

It turned out that those principals were divided into factions, but this faction was disrupted in the constant changing of personnel appointments, and the situation was somewhat chaotic.But now, with the arrival of the hall officials one after another, the interpersonal context has become clearer, and the division of factions has also been faintly revealed.

Cao Yong looked at it coldly and knew some reasons, but it was because of the different standpoints of the officials above, and the officers below also began to stand in line.

Some of them are those who like to curry favor with their superiors and want to be reused and promoted; some of them are filled by newcomers, and the middle and low-level official vacancies vacated by the Ministry of Finance corruption case are probably "trafficked" by various forces. However, those buyers who came in through the same channel naturally stood together and became the exclusive relatives of certain forces.

There is another part that is completely passive.Cao Yong saw that someone was called by the officer to question him, and his smile was very stiff when he came out, and he was frowning and sighing when he was carrying someone back.

Among the hall officials, there are also some who want to win over Cao Yong, such as Man Shangshu Mu Helun.Firstly, Cao Yong was not interested in joining any forces; secondly, he didn't have a good impression of Mu Helun.This Mu Helun has a fat head, big ears, a full face, and a general's stomach. He doesn't look like an upright official.On weekdays, relying on the dignity of Manchu, he yelled at some Han officials three times and four times.Cao Yong is not used to it, naturally disdain to associate with it.

As for Zhang Penghe, Shangshu of the Han Dynasty, he had already tried two cases of Kali's impeachment of Jiangnan officials.Because he had no special expression on Cao Yong, Cao Yong naturally kept him at a respectful distance.

Later, in Cao Yin's family letter, Cao Yong was also mentioned to be wary of Zhang Penghe, especially when Cao's family was still "deficit" in the household department.

Pearl's income in May was indeed enough to cover the debt, but Cao Yin did not pay off the shortfall all at once.The Pearl Club itself is very eye-catching. If the Cao family immediately repays the million-dollar shortfall immediately after the Pearl Club, wouldn't it tell the world that they have made a lot of money on the Pearl?It is a trivial matter that this business cannot be kept. At that time, there were political struggles again, and it was even more difficult for the Cao family to survive alone.Therefore, after Cao Yin and Cao Yong's father and son discussed, they planned to make up for the shortfall quietly and slowly in a few years.

This idea can be hidden from the Ministry of Households and the whole world, but it cannot be hidden from Kangxi.Not to mention the words "junchen" and the undercover investigation by the Secretary of the General Administration, that is, in Kangxi's Zhu Yin memorial to Cao Yin, the sentence "the relationship between the two Huaihe Rivers has many disadvantages, and there are many deficits. It is necessary to try to make up for it. It’s a good thing, don’t be negligent. Be careful, be careful, be careful, be careful!” Cao Yin was so grateful for the kindness of taking care of him, how could he hide it from Kangxi that he could pay back the shortfall with money?

Cao Yin wrote a secret book to Kangxi, and told him the whole story of the Pearl Club. Naturally, he had to mention his son Cao Yong. Although the writing was as simple as possible, there was still a sense of pride between the lines.This is entirely the pride of a father who hopes his son will become a dragon, and he never thought that Kangxi would put his "capable" son in the household department.

After Cao Yin received his son's letter, he thought about it for a long time, and discussed with his staff for a long time before replying to his son, teaching him some ways to get along with others, and reminding him of what things and who to pay attention to.

As for the phenomenon of party division, it has actually existed in all dynasties.Although Cao Yong has just entered the official career, but when he helped Jiang Ning's father to deal with some official affairs when he was recuperating, he also had some understanding of what was going on in the officialdom of the Qing Dynasty. bright.Although it's not a matter of getting everything right and wrong, it's still not the slightest bit of trouble.

In the household department's yamen, there was a disturbance for a while, the situation was almost settled, and there was no chaos.It's just that when Kangxi asked Zhang Penghe about the Jiangnan deficit case again, Zhang Penghe didn't know what the purpose was, saying that Jiangning local officials voluntarily deducted their salaries year by year to make up for various deficits.

Although this proposal was rejected by Kangxi, it still caused a lot of ripples in the household department and Jiangnan official circles.Zhang Penghe didn't clearly stand on anyone's side this time, and he didn't know who he was going to hit with this stick, or it might just disrupt the situation.The officials from the household department who participated in the investigation all muttered, and some restless people were ready to move.

Fortunately, there was Shi Shilun, a former censor's servant, most of the people did not dare to tear each other down even if they were opposed, and the daily affairs were carried out in an orderly manner.

Shi Shilun had some contact with Cao Yong because of the case of the Cao family being attacked when he was the governor of Shuntian Prefecture. He had a good impression of Cao Yong.Working together at this time, although they didn't take care of Cao Yong, they didn't have such harsh demands on others.

Cao Yong knew that Shi Shilun had always hated rich and powerful dudes. Although he was not a rich and rich, the word "rich and powerful" could not be erased.At first, I was a little worried that Shi Shilun would look down on him and deliberately make things difficult, but later I found that Shi Shilun treated him rather leniently, secretly wondering, but also relieved.

Since entering November, Cao Yong has encountered the busiest period.Due to the disaster in Fujian, 15 shi of grain rice from Jiangsu and Zhejiang had to be intercepted and transported to relief, and the work of the Ministry began to get busy.After get off work, Cao Yong rushed home as early as possible, and had dinner with Cao Yi and Cao Song in the Sunflower Courtyard, hoping to get together again before his sister got married.

Cao Yi's wedding is on November 22, and all the dowry has been prepared, just waiting for Jueluo's family to marry.

In consideration of Jueluo's family's face, Cao Yong was unwilling to make too much publicity. Except for the dowry prepared by his parents in the south, what Amethyst added was practical but not extravagant.

In addition to the dowry, Cao Yong also asked He Maocai to buy a small village of [-] hectares in Changping, which is regarded as a dowry field for dowry.Not counting the barren mountain hot springs, he also has three farms under his name, one is the one that Sun's grandson first married to Cao's family, the other is the one given by the [-]th elder brother on his birthday last year, and the other was rewarded by Kangxi. They all have their own opinions, and it is not suitable to transfer, so I bought [-] hectares specially.

Because Mrs. Li was not in the capital, Mrs. Cao Jia, as the elder sister, naturally took over the role of mother, and took her younger sister to the house several times to teach her about marriage.

*
On November [-]th, Shengjia will go to visit the Fengdian of Temporary An, Xiaoling Mausoleum, the second elder brother Yinfeng, the fifth elder brother Yinqi, the seventh elder brother Yinyou, the eighth elder brother Yinhu, the fifteenth elder brother Yinyu, The sixteenth elder brother Yinlu accompanied him.

On the second day of Shengjia's trip, the fourth elder brother appeared in the Hubu courtyard.

Cao Yong didn't know whether he was here to inspect the work or for something else.Because on the [-]th, Kangxi denounced Shi Wengui, the servant of the warehouse, as weak and incompetent, and said that warehouse affairs were the most important, so he awarded Shi Shilun as the servant of the warehouse, and transferred Shi Wengui to make up for Shi Shilun's vacancy, and became the right servant of the household department.

This Shi Wengui is the uncle of the Crown Princess, Kangxi used the word "weak and incompetent", and the ministers couldn't help thinking about the Sacred Heart.Cao Yong was also unavoidably vulgar, and discussed the matter with Mr. Zhuang for a long time in private.Now that the fourth elder brother appeared, it was hard for Cao Yong not to think about the issue of seizing the heir.

The fourth elder brother didn't do anything, just patrolled for a week as usual, and when he saw Cao Yong, he asked lightly: "Are you familiar with the errand?"

Cao Yong replied: "It's almost the same."

The fourth elder brother just nodded and left without saying anything else. The second monk Cao Yongzhang was left at a loss.Maybe let yourself do it well so that it can be used by him in the future?Cao Yong had to think so.

*
As the wedding day approached, the smile on Cao Yi's face became less and less, and his appetite became smaller and smaller. Although he forced a smile in front of others, he occasionally showed a little uneasiness.

Cao Song is careless, how did he find this?The way Cao Yong looked at her was somewhat similar to the panic he felt when he entered Beijing last year, and he understood her thoughts a little bit.

At this time, what is important is "the water poured out by the married daughter". Although Mrs. Jueluo and Seshitu seem to be kind and generous people, they are not family members who have been with each other for many years.Regarding the upcoming married life, Cao Yi is looking forward to it with anxiety and fear, right?He persuaded him twice, but Cao Yi just kept silent, and he didn't know if he heard it or not.

On this day, Cao Yi ate very little for dinner.Even Cao Song felt something was wrong, and asked Cao Yi, "Third Sister, is the food not to your liking?"

Cao Yi smiled and shook his head: "I'm not hungry!"

Cao Song opened his eyes and looked at Cao Yi's rice bowl, but only went to the tip: "I only took two bites, it's like cat food, how can I not be hungry?" He wanted to say more, but Yuchan came back and said It was Mammy Zhang who asked the second master if he had eaten well, and if he had eaten, please ask the second master to go back.

Although Cao Song was impatient, he was his mother's nurse after all, so he ate more than half a bowl of rice in two bites, said goodbye to his brothers and sisters, and went back to Huaiyuan first.

Looking at Cao Yi's sharp chin, Cao Yong frowned slightly, turned his head and told Zhu'er who was waiting by the side: "Go and warm a bowl of milk for the girl!"

Cao Yi looked at Cao Yong uneasily, and murmured: "Brother, Ping'er is not hungry!"

After a while, Pearl brought a bowl of milk.Cao Yong personally handed it to Cao Yi, watched her drink it, and then told Chunya behind her: "Starting tomorrow, prepare a bowl of tea for the girl in the morning and evening, don't let her down whether she has eaten or not! "

Chunya secretly looked at Cao Yi, and bent down to answer.

"Brother!" Cao Yi knew that his brother was busy with work and tired him from worrying about himself, so he couldn't help feeling a little guilty.

Seeing her lower her head, Cao Yong stretched out her hand and rubbed her hair vigorously: "Silly girl, you are of the same blood, you are not the Cao family, you are not my sister?

"Brother..." Cao Yi couldn't help blushing when he heard Cao Yong's words: "Brother, Ping'er is afraid!" While speaking, tears fell down.

Cao Yong waved his hand and sent Zhu'er and Chun Ya, who were waiting beside him, to retreat, then took the handkerchief and wiped Cao Yi's tears: "With my brother here, what do you have to be afraid of? It's just a marriage, if Sai Shi If you dare to bully you, tell me to teach him a lesson! Look at him like that, he is not my opponent, I will take care of beating him obediently!"

What he said made Cao Yi laugh through tears, tilted his head and looked at his brother and said: "My brother is now a civil servant, and he looks the most gentle, why do you still want to fight?"

Cao Yong touched his chin: "It's okay to be gentle on weekdays, but if my sister is bullied, then let the gentleness go to hell!"

Cao Yi smiled and said, "Brother is so kind!" At this point, the corners of his mouth could not help but bend down, and his eyes were red and he said: "Brother, I miss my mother and father!"

Although Cao Yin is in better health, he is old and has an errand, so it is not suitable for him to travel long distances.Mrs. Li has to be a housekeeper and take care of her husband and Mrs. Gao, how can she escape?A few days ago, I specially sent someone to deliver a letter to the capital, but I couldn't come to send my daughter to get married.

Cao Yong gently persuaded: "If you think about your parents, you should cherish yourself more. They are elders, don't they just hope that we as children will have a good life? Although Jiangning is far away from Beijing, the road It's quite smooth. I think Mrs. Luo is a sensible person, and she is also good to you. When you become a daughter-in-law, treat her like your parents and respect her! She loves you, so naturally she understands how you miss your parents, and she won't Stopping you from coming out! At that time, it will not be a big deal for you to take your brother-in-law back to Jiangning!"

After listening to the previous words, Cao Yi kept nodding his head in agreement; when he heard the mention of "daughter-in-law" and "brother-in-law" later, he couldn't sit still in shame, he hesitated twice, and quit.

Cao Yong relieved his sister, he was in a good mood, and ate half a bowl of rice with the dishes that hadn't cooled down.

Seeing Cao Yi go out, Zhu'er and Cui'er picked up the curtain and came in to wait. Seeing Cao Yong eating cold dishes, they hurried forward and said, "Master, wait until it's hot before eating!"

Cao Yong put down his chopsticks and waved his hands: "I'm already full, but your sister Zijing has been busy with the girl's dowry list these days, and I don't have time to go back to the yard for dinner. Remember to ask the kitchen to prepare Send over some supplements."

Although the official day of Cao Yi's marriage is November 22, according to the etiquette procedures at this time, it is often arranged in the first three days and two to five days: the first day is for adding boxes; the second day is for makeup delivery; the third day is for Engaging women (that is, marrying a man's family); the fourth and fifth days are celebrations.In these five days, the woman will hold a big banquet to entertain relatives and friends.

Although the elders of Cao's family are not in Beijing, but they have many relatives and friends, and now that Cao Yong is in charge here, even those princely mansions will come to socialize because of the face of Pingjun Wangfu and Chunwangfu.

Since November [-]th, Cao Yong took leave of absence from the ministry and began to organize his sister's wedding.Fortunately, there are regulations to follow, and Prince Ping's mansion is helping, everything is in order.

Although Xiangcao is reluctant to part with Cao Yi, considering that she is too old to be a dowry maid, she still listens to her mother and stays with Cao Yi.In addition to Chunya, Xia Fu, Qiuxuan and Dongzhi who were the four personal attendants who accompanied her as dowry, Zijing was also among the servants and chose two honest and dutiful couples to be companions.

On November 22, amidst the sound of "cracking" firecrackers, Cao Yi was helped onto a sedan chair while wearing a red hijab.

After the firecrackers were set off, there were red confetti all over the floor. Cao Yong stood outside the gate, watching his sister's sedan chair leave, his eyes were sore.

(End of this chapter)