Reborn in the last years of Kangxi

Chapter 423

Summer Resort, Danbo Jingcheng Hall.

After being reprimanded, Kangxi waved his hands and asked the elder brothers to kneel down.Apart from Kangxi, there was only Wei Zhu left in the hall.He stood by the door, looked at Kangxi's gloomy face, and leaned lightly against the doorpost, trying to hide his figure.

Long live master's most useful servant, Liang Jiugong, the chief eunuch of the Qianqing Palace, was dismissed and detained for greedy extortion of bribes. Now the servants around the prince's elder brother are also dishonest, so I can't blame long live master.Wei Zhu watched his nose with his eyes and his heart with his nose, muttering to himself.

As the king of a country, how could Kangxi care about a few house servants?He held his forehead and sighed, thinking about the empty treasury.

Following Lazang Khan's note, Kangxi also knew that Cewang Allah Butan's ambition to get involved in Tibet has never been extinguished.He first married Lhazang Khan's sister, and now he married his daughter to Lhazang Khan's eldest son, Galdan Danzhong, and left his son-in-law in Zhungeer, looking for opportunities to enter Tibet at any time.

Speaking of this Cewang Allah Butan, Kangxi felt tired and crooked in his heart.

Mongolia is divided into three parts: Monan Mongolia, Mobei Mongolia, and Moxi Mongolia.Monan Mongolia is Inner Mongolia headed by Horqin, Mobei is Outer Mongolia headed by Khalkha, and Moxi is Xinjiang Mongolia, nomadic in the Tianshan Mountains.

The Mongolian tribes in Southern Monument are the current vassals of the imperial court, and have belonged to the imperial court for many years; the Mongolian tribes in Northern Mobei have always expressed their respect to the imperial court, but Western Mongolian has never expressed their submission to the imperial court.

When Galdan ruled Moxi Mongolia, Zhungeer attacked the neighboring Khalkha tribe, which made the northern frontier defense unstable. This was the reason why Kangxi's three imperial conquests.

Tsewang Alabutan was Galdan's nephew, and he split from Galdan in the 27th year of Kangxi.

After Galdan's defeat, Tsewang Allah Butan returned to Jungar, collected the rest of Galdan, and ascended the throne of Jungar Khan.

The imperial court has always used the policy of gentleness, but Cewang Allah Butan didn't appreciate the imperial court very much, and various small actions have continued over the years.

The reason why the imperial court has repeatedly tolerated it is because their territory is too far away to send troops to conquer easily.

It's just that although the imperial court wanted peace on the frontier, Cewang Allah Butan didn't have to think so.He admired the Yellow Sect, respected the Dalai Lama, and tried to intervene in Tibetan affairs under the guise of "protecting the Dharma", and was reprimanded by Kangxi several times.

Seeing him so painstakingly planning, he thought he was about to imitate Gushri Khan and enter Tibet as the king of Tibet in the name of "protecting religion".

Although Kangxi was aware of his wolfish ambitions, he couldn't do anything about it, because there was no money in the treasury, so he couldn't use light weapons.

One of the important reasons why Kangxi agreed with Lhazang Khan to dethrone the sixth Dalai Lama Tsangyang Gyatso and set up Yixi Gyatso was that Tsangyang Gyatso had contacts with Tsevanarabutan and had a good relationship.

The treasury has no funds to send troops, which makes Kangxi a headache.Although the Ministry of Households has recovered a lot of treasury silver in the past few years, due to bad times, many provinces have been exempted from money, food and taxes, and the treasury is still unable to make ends meet.

Money and food is a major national event, what is the method of increasing income and reducing expenditure, Kangxi pondered...

*
Apart from Kangxi, Li Wei was the one who bothered about money and food.

On the street that day, he was beaten by gangsters. He was fine when he was beaten, but when he returned to his residence, something was wrong.When the doctor was invited to see him, he was injured and had to recuperate for a while. .

For this reason, he has not gone to the Cao Mansion to thank him.

Once in and out of Shuntian Mansion, Li Wei's desire to seek an official became more and more urgent.This little commoner's life is useless, and the slightest sign of trouble can make chickens fly and dogs jump.

Although he donated a prison student on his body, the folks in Mengmeng Township in the countryside of Xuzhou are still good. This is not a big deal in the capital, Dingdaipu Street.

If you can't take the imperial examination, if you want to be an official, you can only continue to donate.

It's just that in today's world, there are many people who want to donate to officials, but the number of children is limited, which means that there are too many monks and too few gruel.

It's not difficult to get a false name, to reduce money and food, and to go in and out easily.The alternate magistrate of ten thousand taels, the alternate magistrate of tens of thousands of taels, have found the right way, and these are all clearly marked.

But Li Wei didn't want to be so imaginary. He was in his thirties and he was in his prime, so he didn't just want to find something to do.

After a lawsuit, Li Wei was also a little afraid of business operations, and had already sent the housekeeper to close the business and sell the shop.

A strong dragon does not overwhelm a snake, and Li Wei is a clever man, so it can be seen that it is not easy to earn a few coins in the capital, where the Eight Banners' dignitaries walk the streets.

The store sold quickly, and he didn't get much money, and his previous savings were almost spent, so Li Wei felt a little tight in his hands.

He has already sent someone back to Xuzhou to write a letter to Mrs. Li, discussing whether to sell some land, and buy a real shortage.

Now, there is no letter from Xuzhou, but Li Wei can't sit still.

Today is a good day, and his injury is almost the same.The room was a bit stuffy, and Li Wei shook the fan vigorously for a long time, but it didn't help, so he thought about going out to get some air.

He wondered whether to go to the Cao Mansion to thank him first, or wait for the money from his hometown in a few days, and prepare a generous gift before going there.

For a moment, he was a little undecided.

Although he should be grateful for the kindness of helping, but the other party's family status is too high, he doesn't know what kind of gift to prepare, he is afraid that he will not be able to express his gratitude if he is contemptuous, and he is also afraid that he will be looked down upon as a country bumpkin.

As soon as he arrived in the courtyard, Li Wei heard the door knocker ringing, so he raised his chin and asked the boy to open the door.

The one who came was an acquaintance, the shopkeeper Huang from the shop next door to Li Wei's original shop.

Shopkeeper Huang's face was covered with sweat, and he was still carrying things in his hands. When he saw Li Wei, he nodded hurriedly and said, "Oh, Mr. Li, I finally found you!"

Li Wei couldn't help sneering in his heart, Guisun Jiang, he is not a fool, he knows that the only ones who made him sue are these few shops.

It's just that he came to his residence like this, but he didn't know what he meant?With a half-smile, he tilted his head, looked at shopkeeper Huang and said, "The sun is rising in the west, why is the shopkeeper free to visit the humble house?"

The shopkeeper Huang was already a head shorter than Li Wei, but he nodded and bowed his waist, making him look even shorter, and he laughed and said, "It's not that the big dragon rushed to the Dragon King Temple. In the past, I didn't know that Master Li was a friend of Cao's son-in-law, so There was some misunderstanding between the two. Our earl's mansion and Cao's mansion are close friends and closest relatives. You don't know that our second master will scold the young one and ask the young one to come and plead guilty to Master Li, so as to save the two families Suspicion. Master Li, you sold your shop and changed your residence. This little one has been looking for you for a month, and finally found you!"

Li Wei was a little stunned, even though he didn't have much knowledge, but since he wanted to be in the officialdom, he knew the titles and ranks well.Earl, that is a super product, much higher than the status of the governor.

Who would have thought that the earl's mansion is behind the unobtrusive property next door to him.

Thinking of this, Li Wei couldn't help breaking out in a cold sweat, and couldn't help but feel scared for a while.In the Yamen of Shuntian Mansion, he still resisted to death. If Cao Yong hadn't come forward to speak out, it would be a matter of whether his little life could be saved.

After the shopkeeper Huang explained his intentions, he handed over the various gifts in his hand to the servants of the Li family. At the same time, he took a silver seal from his sleeve, handed it over with both hands, and said, "Master Li was surprised because of the misunderstanding. It's a small apology, Master Li must accept it!" As he spoke, he stuffed the silver seal into Li Wei's hand without waiting for Li Wei to say anything.

Li Wei just felt like he was in a dream, and when he woke up, there was no one in front of him.He quickly took a few steps to go out, and the shopkeeper Huang had already led the people through the alley.

Li Wei patted his forehead vigorously, and said embarrassingly, "That's what you say!"

He lowered his head and opened the silver seal, saw a few pieces of silver money, and after reading the amount on it, he knew that it could not be accepted.

500 taels of silver ticket, why should a majestic Earl's Mansion send someone to find someone, and send you 500 taels. They know which onion Li Wei is, and it's not for the sake of the Cao Mansion.

That Mr. Cao is young. He was the minister of the imperial court in his weak crown, and he will be appointed as a marquis and worship a minister... Thinking of this, Li Wei thought of a good thing, that is a Hetian white jade ornament that was "immediately entrusted to the marquis". I bought it for 900 taels of silver.

It was originally intended to be used as an official in the future, so it was stored in a box and placed in the kang cabinet in the east room.

Thinking in his heart, he hurriedly sent a young man to fetch it, and then looked down at his figure, he was dressed decently, and rode to Cao's mansion.

But he didn't want to think about it, even if Cao Yong didn't have a retinue, it wasn't time for him to fall into office at noon.

After walking around for half an hour, Li Wei arrived at Cao's mansion and handed over a name card, begging to see Cao Yong.

Before Cao Yong left, he really missed Li Wei's visit, and he specifically explained to the concierge that if Li Wei or Wang Mengxu came to the door, he should be entertained and ask Mr. Zhuang to come out to socialize.

Therefore, the concierge enthusiastically led Li Wei to the side hall, but instead of inviting Mr. Zhuang, he sent someone to the second gate to invite Cao Song.It turned out that Mr. Zhuang went out in the morning, and he has not returned home yet.

It is said that the prime minister's concierge is a seventh-rank official. During the two years in the capital, Li Wei also followed his fellow countrymen to the mansions of several Beijing officials. Whose concierge is not arrogant, like the Cao family, who treat him so warmly? many.

Li Wei couldn't help feeling a little flattered, but he didn't know what to do.According to what the concierge said, Mr. Cao went to Rehe to escape the summer heat with the emperor, and now his brother is at home. Well, this is the "second master" who made people invite him.

Li Wei was still thinking about it, but Cao Song had strode into the side hall.He was wearing the clothes he went out, and he tidied up in a smart way. He entered the room and looked Li Wei up and down.

Seeing that the visitor was well dressed and young, Li Wei guessed that he might be Mr. Cao's brother, so he stood up.

Seeing him tall and strong, showing the majestic appearance of a warrior, Cao Song couldn't help but feel a little good in his heart, and said, "You are Li Wei? I heard my brother mentioned you. It is true that you dare not be afraid of the powerful and powerful, and block the carriage in the street. Man!"

This compliment made Li Wei a little embarrassed, he laughed twice, bowed and said: "I have seen the second master Li Wei!"

Cao Song returned the gift, invited Li Wei to sit down, and asked the servant to bring tea.

Cao Song had already heard what happened on the street that day, so he knew the danger.If Jue Luo Shi and Jing Huizhen were robbed and returned to Dong E Mansion, they don't know what will happen.

Thinking of this, he became more and more fond of Li Wei, clasped his fists and said: "The person who helped Brother Li that day was his cousin who gave up, so he should thank Brother Li well." Li Wei made a bow.

Li Wei turned sideways to avoid it, and said: "Hey, Second Lord, please get up quickly, you are trying to hurt me, Li Wei, it's just a coincidence. Even if there is no Li Wei, there will be other unsightly men coming out. "

Cao Song was impatient with the polite words, and when he saw that Li Wei's words were both literary and vulgar, he stopped being polite to him and said with a smile: "Well, I won't talk to you about such stupid words. I said it. Brother Li looks brave enough, Cao Song, I respect heroes the most, and when I find a chance in the future, Brother Li still needs to guide me in punching and kicking."

Li Wei saw that his face was slightly dark, his body was strong, and he looked quite brave, and said: "Could it be that the second master also likes to wield knives and guns?"

Cao Song nodded and said, "Exactly, I'm at home now, preparing to take part in the martial arts exam."

After hearing this, Li Wei couldn't help feeling a little envious.In the early years, he also had the idea of ​​martial arts, but riding and archery were nothing, but the policy theory was like a blocker.

Although he has been invited by his family since he was a child, he has a stone head when it comes to homework.After more than ten years, it is nothing more than enlightenment things such as "San Zi Jing" and "Hundred Family Names".

Envy is envy, but it's the most important thing. Li Wei thought, holding up the brocade box that had just been placed on the small table, and placed it next to Cao Song, saying: "Second Master, I am very grateful for the kindness of Mr. Cao's helping hand." Grateful, these are just a little thank you, please help Li Wei forward the second master."

Cao Song didn't know that Li Wei was detained by Shuntian Mansion before, and he waved his hands because of the time on the street last month, and said, "Brother Li, you don't have to be polite. I just said that the person in the carriage that day was my cousin. Even if Big Brother Li wasn't there at the time, Big Brother wouldn't stand idly by. Why should I thank you for that, it's really polite!"

After Li Wei put the brocade box away, he put the money seal that shopkeeper Huang had just given on top of it, and said, "Second Master misunderstood, it wasn't because of that, I was in a little trouble earlier, and I was sent to the yamen for two days, it's still for Master Cao's face." , will come out under the guarantee."

Cao Song used to dominate Jiangning City from a young age, and when he arrived in the capital, his cousins ​​from the Zhaojia Mansion did not seldom fight.It's just that everyone has grown up and knows how to measure, so there are no major mistakes.

Seeing Li Wei's fierce appearance now, Cao Song asked: "Brother Li, is he fighting with someone? Listening to Brother Li's accent, it seems to be from Lianghuai. Make things difficult. Those in the yamen are all masters who see people as inferior."

Li Wei is a person with a good temperament, and he doesn't like those who are awkward.

Although it was a bit embarrassing to be blocked because of the banned book and people were arrested, he still told the past in a few words, then pointed to the silver seal and said: "The earl's mansion will treat me as Mr. Cao's old friend. To save face, I deliberately make people apologize. However, this is because of Mr. Cao's favor, and I have already benefited too much, so it is not easy to take advantage of it."

Li Wei said it frankly. Cao Song just heard it and didn't take it to heart. He just nodded when he heard that the other party was the Earl's Mansion, and said to himself: "So it's his house, why should it be like this? Shengfen. I didn’t see it, but Yongsheng’s actions are getting more and more powerful.”

As he said that, Cao Song secretly scolded himself for being worthless, and he was in his twenties, but he couldn't help the family with anything.

Although he knew the cause and effect, Cao Song was not easy to accept these things, so he said with a smile: "Brother Li, no matter what, even if you want to thank you, you have to wait for brother to come back to show sincerity, right? Take these things back first, and wait It won’t be too late for my brother to send him back from Rehe!”

Li Wei came here on a special trip to express his thanks, why would he accept his things and leave?The two big men are not easy to talk to each other. After a few words, Cao Song can only let him go.

Li Wei achieved his goal and didn't stay any longer, so he got up and left.It just so happened that Cao Song had something to go out today, and he didn't have much time, so he didn't hold back much, and sent it to the gate.

The brocade box was not sealed. Cao Song opened it and saw that it was a jade ornament. He took it out and took a look, then put it back in the box.The Cao family does not lack this item, not to mention that it is placed in every room, and there are many in the storeroom.

Looking at the silver seal, Cao Song hesitated for a moment, and finally opened it.Seeing that there were a total of 500 taels of silver bills, a lot of joy appeared on his face.

In the early days, besides the monthly bills, his pocket money could also be withdrawn from the cashier for less than 20 taels.Going to fight in Eryueli, the expenses of the second room are controlled by Zhao Jia, and Cao Song has no face to go to the accountant to pay the money.He knew that his brother wouldn't care about this, but he didn't want his sister-in-law to feel bad because of it.

Yuqin and the others have already returned to the mansion. Although Yuqin also has some money from Cao Song's private house, but when it comes to serious matters, it is not enough.It just so happened that his brother was not around, and it was not easy to talk to his sister-in-law, so he was in a hurry.

Even though the money, when the elder brother came back, he would have to have someone return it to Wanyan's family, or buy a similar gift in return, but Cao Song decided to use it for emergencies.

Cao Song left the mansion, rode to the front door, picked out the biggest pharmacy, and bought a big bag of things.The old ginseng, bird's nest, borneol and so on cost nearly a hundred taels of silver.

Holding the things in his arms, Mo Shu lowered his head and looked at it, speechless, and said, "Second Master, this nourishing food is not rice, so how can you buy it for ten catties? What should I do?"

Seeing that he was struggling to hold it, Cao Song took the two bags above for himself.

When he went out, he had two long-term attendants, but today he had something important to do and he didn't want others to know.Therefore, he found a reason and sent the two long followers away, only bringing Mo Shu with him.

Two masters and servants got on the horse with big and small bags, and instead of going back to Cao's mansion, they went to Fang's alley.

There is an old house in the alley here, which is the former dowry property of the Jueluo family, a somewhat dilapidated secondary courtyard.

It turned out that the family of the old mother who was raised by Jueluo lived. The old mother had passed away a few years ago, and only her son, daughter-in-law and granddaughter were left here. .

The nanny's son is Changgui, in his thirties, and has been married to his wife for more than ten years. There is only one girl, who was born in the twelfth lunar month, so her nickname is Layue'er, and she is thirteen this year.

Seeing the old master coming, the family of three vacated the main house in the backyard and moved to the front yard.In addition to Jue Luo's family and Tong Jinghui, Chun'er, a maidservant of Shen's family and Tong Jinghui, lived in.

All of Gali's family property, except for the house under the name of Jueluo, has already been admitted to the government, and the family will also sell it to the government.Cao Yong sent the housekeeper to go through the formalities of Shen Nanny and Chun'er. Because he knew that Shen Nanny and his son and daughter-in-law were there, he also bought it with money.

As a result, there are more than ten people living in the house here.

Nanny Shen waited by Jue Luo's side, her daughter-in-law and Chang Gui's family were in the kitchen, Chun'er and Layue were by Jinghui's side, and Nanny Shen's sons and Chang Gui were housekeepers, nurses, and porters. , Buying anything is considered.

Although the house here looks a bit like living after packing up, but since the Dragon Boat Festival, it has not been peaceful here.

It is a custom in the capital that the purchases of major houses are sometimes not paid in cash, but mostly kept in accounts. During the "three festivals", that is, Dragon Boat Festival, Mid-Autumn Festival, and New Year's Day, come up to settle accounts.

The house of Gali's family was ransacked, their registration was lost, and the debts outside were not cleared.

Although the old lady had lost all her children and grandchildren, and Wan Jingting was pitiful, few people sympathized with her.If the old man didn't catch him, how could he defeat his family?

The first time I filed a complaint, my son was ruined; the second time I filed a lawsuit, my son, daughter-in-law, and grandson were all killed.

A tiger does not eat its offspring, and treats its own flesh and blood like this, what sympathy does this old lady have?
Besides, it is only natural to pay off debts. Even if the children and grandchildren are gone, the old lady is also a member of Dong E's family. How can she be so reckless...

So, after the Dragon Boat Festival, silk and satin shops, butcher shops, and fruit shops each sent their bill collectors to their door...

(End of this chapter)