Reborn in the last years of Kangxi

Chapter 698 Betting ([-])

The Forbidden City, the yamen of the House of Internal Affairs.

"The Empress Dowager's birthday gift?" Cao Yong glanced at the thick list in his hand, looked at Dong Dianbang, and said, "These are all ordered by the Ministry of Internal Affairs?"

On this list, there are dozens of pages, ranging from large Buddha statue ornaments to small jewelry.

Dong Dianbang nodded and said: "This list is based on previous years. Mr. Cao, can there be any additions or subtractions?"

Cao Yong didn't have any objections, and handed the list back to Dong Dianbang, saying: "It's fine if you think it's appropriate."

Dong Dianbang hesitated for a moment, and said, "I don't know if I should say something or not?"

Seeing him like this, Cao Yong smiled and said: "If you have anything, please say it!"

"Lord Cao, although the internal treasury has received income in the first month, [-]% to [-]% of it has been used up to now. I am afraid that the internal treasury will be empty until next year." Dong Dianbang said, took out an account book from his sleeve, and sent it to Cao In front of Yong.

"A few million taels, how could it be spent so quickly?" Cao Yong couldn't help being surprised when he heard this.

"Only repairing the three palaces of Rehe, Changchun Garden, and Xiyuan cost nearly a million taels. The Tangquan Palace was not only repaired, but the two palaces that were expected to be built before were not able to start this year due to insufficient money. , This is a big project, and it is nearly a million taels. The emperor patrolled the north and rewarded the Mongolian princes and soldiers, and it was nearly a million taels of silver..." Dong Dianbang explained several places where money was spent.

Cao Yong sighed in his heart while looking at the account books.

Kangxi wants to be a "Ming Jun", so the garden and the practice palace are not paid by the Ministry of Finance, so as to save the censors from making noise.However, he didn't let go of the place where he could spend money.

In addition to repairing the palace and rewarding travel, the cost of Guan Bei's tour in the past few months was nearly one million taels.This is only the expenses of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. For example, the cost of road construction from the capital to Rehe, and the cost of tens of thousands of guards accompanying them, are included in the expenses of the Ministry of Household Affairs.

"Where is the salt tax?" Cao Yong asked, remembering that this was also going into the inner warehouse.

"My lord, the Yansi Yamen is a big deficit. Even if the money is collected, I'm afraid it will have to make up the deficit of the household department. There are only a few people who can enter the internal treasury." Dong Dianbang replied.

Cao Yong closed the account book and said: "Master Dong is an old man of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Where did the expenditure of the Ministry of Internal Affairs come from in previous years? This year, there are still several million taels of income, which is not enough; if it is an ordinary year, isn't it Is the lack even worse?"

"Originally there were several mines, and gold and silver were put into the warehouse every year. The mines that have been mined in the past two years have almost been dug, and the money is getting tighter and tighter." Dong Dianbang replied.

Seeing Dong Dianbang's earnest face, Cao Yong immediately felt a little vigilant.

He still knows how much he weighs.

Although it can be seen that Dong Dianbang is hoping that he can find a way to make a fortune, but he is just an ordinary person, and he is not really a boy who is good at wealth.

Besides, Cao Yong also found out that the Ministry of Internal Affairs is the Yamen that spends money.If you have less money, use the flowers from the household department; if you have more money, you need to spend more.For the sake of the so-called royal face, there is no concept of "increasing income and reducing expenditure" at all.

"When Lord Sixteen returns to Beijing, he will report the lack of silver, and then please brainstorm." Cao Yong put down the account book and said casually.

Dong Dianbang didn't expect Cao Yong to respond like this, he was a little stunned, hesitated for a while, and said: "Master Cao..."

Cao Yong picked up a volume of documents from the case file, and said indifferently: "I still have official duties to deal with, so I won't be with Mr. Dong now."

When Dong Dianbang heard this, he clasped his fists and said: "Since that's the case, Mr. Cao is busy first, and I will take my leave."

Because he is the head of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and his rank is lower than Cao Yong, so he still acts as a subordinate.

Cao Yong got up, cupped his hands and said: "Since that's the case, I won't send you off. I'll talk to Mr. Dong another day."

Seeing Dong Dianbang go out, Cao Yong sat down again, already feeling somewhat regretful in his heart.When Yaerjiang came to look for him, he shouldn't have agreed so readily.

Even if he is pressed by the emperor's order, it should be delayed for a while, which seems more difficult.Otherwise, he would really be regarded as a bodhisattva, thinking that if he bowed, he would be able to do everything according to his heart.

Regret is useless, long-term memory will be in the future.Don't be self-righteous, as if you are powerful.

"Call Zhao Tong." Cao Yong looked down at the Chinese book in his hand, saw that it was the case file of the Punishment Department, and ordered Xiao Man, who was waiting in front of him, to say.

After a while, Zhao Tong came in.

Cao Yong handed over the case file in his hand, and said: "Take it to Yu Feilin to have a look, and make a note of the criminal law corresponding to each matter, and mark it if it is appropriate or not."

Together with Li Wei, Zhao Tong followed Jiang Jian to learn the curtain.Among them, Zhao Tong is more attentive, especially in terms of criminal names.

On Cao Yong's side, happy to be fulfilled, more documents related to criminal names are handed over to Zhao Tong for handling...

*
Cao Yong is not the only one who has regrets, and Dong Dianbang also regrets it in his heart.

Because Dong's family and Cao's family had already negotiated that they would live in Dading when Cao Yin returned to Beijing, so Dong Dianbang was a little more close to Cao Yong and less respectful to Cao Yong.

Originally thought that if he could work with Cao Yong to solve the matter of the Shaoyin of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, he would be considered as the head of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, so he couldn't wait to mention this matter.

Thinking of Cao Yong's estranged appearance just now, Dong Dianbang knew that he had acted too hastily, so he patted his forehead hard and sighed heavily.

I really shouldn't be self-righteous, just say those few more words.

If you start slowly from Brother Sixteen, maybe Cao Yong can still listen to it...

*
Cao Mansion, side hall.

Han Jiang's family has been in and out of Cao's house many times, and has also lived here for a while, so he is quite familiar with the furnishings in the house.However, sitting here now, thinking of the dream a few days ago, she only felt that her face was burning hot.

She stroked her chest, picked up the teacup, and took two sips before she felt better.

Xiaofu stood beside him, with some concern, he asked: "Did the girl catch a cold last night, and her face was so red?"

Han Jiangshi shook his head, calmed down, and said, "It's okay, just go back and drink a bowl of ginger soup."

While talking, I heard footsteps outside the window.

Han Jiangshi stood up, but it was not Chuyu who came in at the door, but Zijing.

"The second grandma in Dongfu's fetus is moving, and the second master is not at home. The eldest grandma went to take care of her. Fang sent someone to go over and see, and I'm afraid she won't be able to come back for a while." Zijing said: "If Grandma Han has something important, I will come back again. Wait; if you are not in a hurry, please come back tomorrow."

Mrs. Han Jiang shook her head and said: "It's not urgent. I told the girl that it's the same when the girl told the grandmother. Nowadays, money is expensive and silver is cheap in Beijing. One tael of silver can only be exchanged for big money of 750 Wen. In the past, the monthly balance was in the There are also losses in the conversion of the bank into silver, and it is also a lot of money after many years."

Zijing was in charge of the accounts of the inner courtyard of the Cao Mansion, so she knew the comparison of money and money, nodded and said: "Yes, money is getting cheaper. I remember when I first arrived in Beijing a few years ago, one tael of silver could be exchanged for eight hundred Wen, but now it can only be exchanged for 750 Wen." [-] texts."

"Not only copper coins are expensive, but copper wares in the world are also expensive in the past few years. Turning copper coins into bronze wares can change hands at a profit of almost 730%. Someone has already found a shop and wants to exchange the copper coins in the shop for a long time, [-] One or two taels of silver. In ten shops, only [-]% of the monthly income is silver, and [-]% is copper coins. There is loss in exchange in the bank, so that the exchange is higher than the market, and the inside and outside is [-]% more profit. One year It's a lot of money if you come down," said Han Jiangshi.

After hearing this, Zijing faintly felt that something was wrong, but she couldn't tell where it was for a while.

At this time, someone said outside the door: "This is not an advantage."

It is Cao Yong who is back.

Jiang Chenxi will leave Beijing for Rehe tomorrow, and today he will have a banquet with his relatives and friends in the capital to say goodbye. Cao Yong also received the post, so he came back to change clothes in the yamen.

Seeing Han Jiang's carriage, Cao Yong asked, only to know that Jinghui was going to give birth, and Amethyst was here to entertain her.

When he didn't want to pass by, he was listening to Han Jiang's mention of the exchange of copper coins, which attracted Cao Yong to stop.

Daoxiang Village earns quite a lot of money, with a profit of more than half a year, and tens of thousands of taels.However, the imperial court has the "Money Law", which restricts private casting, circulation, and collection.

Although bronze wares are lucrative, there is a law from the imperial court that folk bronze wares must not weigh more than five catties. If it exceeds five catties, it will be considered illegal, and craftsmen will be punished if they use it.Those who hide too much money will also be charged with violating the system.

"It's not bad for the money. It's better not to make extra troubles. Besides, I don't know whether the person who collects the money is forging bronze ware or forging other things. In addition to people's livelihood items, copper is also used in weapons. If it involves the above Let's go, what trouble will it cause if it is not in order?" Cao Yong entered the house and said to Han Jiangshi.

Han Jiangshi is not a fool, but was blinded by interests for a while. Hearing Cao Yong's words, he also understood the importance of it.

He nodded and said, "What Master Cao said is that the little woman is short-sighted."

"If you want more than half of the profit, there is no other way." Cao Yong said here, pondered for a moment, and said: "In addition to the expensive money, meat and vegetables are also expensive due to the price increase of food in recent years. Buy from outside the city." A farm allows people to specialize in raising pigs, chickens, ducks, geese and other poultry for use in shops. Similarly, wheat fields and orchards in the suburbs, rice noodles and fruits that can be used are also like this, and the price of raw materials will drop.”

Han Jiangshi's eyes lit up, and he nodded repeatedly.

Cao Yong had to rush out, so he didn't delay any longer after speaking, let Amethyst accompany the guest, and went back to the inner house to change clothes by himself.

On Han Jiang's side, he felt very ashamed.

In the past few years in the capital, although there have been a few turmoil, the business has been booming. Han Jiangshi is not without complacency, but he became arrogant, lost his calculations, and almost got into trouble.

Seeing Han Jiangshi's embarrassing expression, Zijing was afraid that she would feel uncomfortable, so she said with a smile: "In my opinion, what Grandma Han said is also a good idea. Let alone Grandma Han, even if I encounter such a thing, the appointment is also a good idea." I am willing. It doesn’t cost a little bit, but it’s half a penny more, who wouldn’t be tempted? It’s just my uncle’s temper, it’s been like this since he was a child, he is cautious, and he doesn’t like to get into trouble, Grandma Han will be more considerate.”

"I still didn't think thoroughly." Han Jiang looked at the sky outside, got up and said: "Today, the little lady will go back first, as Uncle Cao said just now, please tell the girl to tell Grandma. If Grandma nods, I will send people to the outskirts of Beijing to plan."

Zijing complied, and personally escorted Han Jiangshi out. Seeing her getting into the carriage, she turned around and returned home.

Han Jiangshi sat in the carriage, thinking about Cao Yong's appearance just now, he couldn't tell what it was like.She gently supported her forehead and closed her eyes, feeling exhausted all over her body.

After walking for a quarter of an hour, they heard noises from outside, and the carriage had already stopped.

Han Jiangshi opened his eyes, and Xiaofu had poked his head out to ask each other.

It turned out that a family on the east side of the street died. Because they had no son, several nephews came to fight for the family property under the pretext of going to the funeral.

Someone has already reported to the yamen, and the officers are arresting people, and the neighbors in front of him are all watching the fun, blocking the road.

Hearing this, Han Jiangshi thought of himself, feeling impetuous, and asked Xiaofu to tell the coachman to detour.

This delay took more than half an hour before Han Jiangshi arrived at home.

Before entering the second gate, I saw Hui'er sticking out her small head and looking out.

The moment she saw Han Jiangshi, Hui'er burst into a smile, ran forward, pulled Han Jiangshi's lapel, and said with a smile: "Mother is back."

"Didn't I tell you not to run and be careful of falling?" Han Jiang said with a straight face, but his voice was much softer.

Hui'er was no longer as timid as when she first came here, she whispered back: "Hui'er misses her mother..."

Han Jiangshi felt warm when he heard this, took Hui'er's little hand, and said softly, "Go in."

Hui'er refused to leave, raised her head, and said in a low voice: "Mother, from now on Hui'er will serve Mother just like Sister Xiaofu and Sister Xiaoxi. Mother, don't sell Hui'er." With a grin, tears have already begun.

Han Jiangshi didn't hear right, squatted down, frowned and said, "Who told you that I'm going to betray you? Where did you hear all these bastard words?" The last sentence was looking at Xiao Xi who was behind Hui'er and said of.

Xiaoxi didn't know the reason, so she hurriedly said: "Miss, no one told Miss. Today Miss can read and write obediently, she didn't go out to play, and no one came in to tell her about it."

Xiao Xi is Han Jiang's personal servant girl, so she is naturally trustworthy.

Han Jiangshi turned her head, stretched out her hand to wipe Hui'er's tears, and said, "You are my daughter, why should I sell you? Hui'er is obedient, and said to mother, okay, why do you think of this?"

Hui'er was sobbing, and after a while she replied in a low voice: "My aunt doesn't like Hui'er, Hui'er didn't rob mother from my aunt..."

Hearing this, Han Jiangshi couldn't help laughing, took Hui'er's little hand, and said: "Auntie doesn't dislike you, it's your aunt who teased you, and you take it seriously? When I see my aunt next time, Hui'er also said to her, If you don’t like Qi Gege, who asked Qi Gege to grab your aunt with you.”

Seeing what Han Jiang said, Hui'er smiled through tears, hugged Han Jiang's arm, and said, "Hui'er likes Qigege, and Qigege doesn't want to rob his aunt. As long as mother is here, Huier only needs mother. "

Looking at Hui'er's attached expression, thinking about the alienation caused by her not being of her own blood in the past few days, Han Jiangshi was ashamed.

What happened to me, why should I think about making myself ashamed and angry?

Han Jiangshi stretched out his hand to hold Hui'er in his arms, and murmured: "Mother only wants Hui'er..."

*
Shichahai, next to Yinding Bridge, Huifeng Hall.

This is the owner of the best restaurant in the capital. Today, Jiang Chenxi has booked a restaurant and entertained guests here.Cao Yong went back and changed his clothes, and then came to the banquet.

Several officials who had served in Shandong also had some personal relationships with Cao Yong.Therefore, Cao Yong greeted over there.

Almost all of the six departments and nine ministers have arrived.

Not only for Jiang Chenxi's face, but also for his brother.

His younger brother Jiang Tingxi, like his elder brother, was born as a Jinshi. He entered the Imperial Academy in his early years, and now he is a bachelor's student with a bright future.

Among the guests, although Cao Yong is not the highest official position, he still has the status of Heshuo's son-in-law.There are not many people who can be higher than him.Therefore, many people stepped forward to flatter him.

For those flattering words, Cao Yong got goosebumps straight away, but he still responded with a smile, very humble and polite.

In this way, it is even more eye-catching.

Cao Yong saw that he had the potential to overwhelm the host, so he hurriedly found a reason to hide behind, followed the corridor, and unknowingly arrived at the back door.

The back door of Huifeng Hall is facing a bird shop.

Under the eaves, there are several bird cages half the height of a person.There are dozens of birds inside, chirping and calling non-stop.

Cao Yong paced forward with a bit of curiosity.I saw that the birds here were neither starlings, parrots, or thrushes, but sparrows.

Along the coast of Shichahai, there are many large restaurants, and there are often rich and noble families who hold wedding banquets or birthday banquets.This bird shop came into being in response to the times, and it is specially sold to customers for releasing animals.

The shopkeeper was an old man. Seeing some customers stop by, he hurriedly stepped forward and said, "My lord, buy some sparrows and set them free. Accumulating good deeds will bring blessings and longevity."

Even sparrows don't want to be tied up in a cage, do they?

"How much?" Cao Yong glanced at the palm-sized shop and the weathered old man in front of him, and asked.

"Ten Wen for one, fifty for a cage, just give me four hundred Wen." The old man smiled and bowed back.

Under the eaves, there are four iron cages.

Cao Yong took out two pieces of broken silver from his purse, weighed them, and there were more than two taels, and sent them to the old man, saying: "I bought them all, is this silver enough?"

The old man was already very happy, and as if he was afraid that Cao Yong would regret it, he took the silver and said: "Enough is enough, it's enough, my uncle is really kind."

Cao Yong leaned over to open the cage door, and watched the birds scramble to fly out of the cage, feeling much more comfortable.

If it is really possible to accumulate blessings, then I wish my parents a long life and my wife and children are safe.By the way, there is also Jinghui, the younger brother and sister who is giving birth, and they are also looking forward to the safety of the mother and child.

Seeing his gentle expression, which was completely different from usual, Cao Jia couldn't help being a little puzzled, and couldn't help but stepped forward and said: "If the uncle is happy to release life, there are many bird shops along Haizi."

Cao Jia is Cao Yong's personal bodyguard, and he is used to being haunted.

Seeing him suddenly appear, Cao Yong was not surprised, and said: "Everything has a cause and effect. If I bought all the birds in the shop along the coast today, the bird catcher will see that the business is easy to do, and it will cost more tomorrow. If you think about catching birds, more birds will enter the cage."

"Since that's the case, why did the uncle buy these birds and release them?" Cao Jia asked.

"Because it's in front of you, you can't turn a blind eye." Cao Yong replied casually.

Cao Jia heard the words, thoughtful, Cao Yong has turned around and returned to Huifeng Hall.

Cao Jia didn't follow in immediately, but went into the alley next to him stealthily.

After a while, I saw Cao Yi walking quickly.

Cao Jia lowered his voice and said, "Where did that person go?"

"Ninth brother's residence." Cao Yi replied.

When Cao Jia heard this, he couldn't help frowning, and said, "Look for two people, and watch over there to see what he's going to do."

Cao Yi bowed in response, turned and left.Cao Jia raised his head and looked at the birds on the tree, wondering what he was thinking...

*
Inside the Anding Gate, Prince Yong's Mansion, Study Room.

The fourth elder brother sat behind the desk, and Dai Jin stood in front of the desk, and what he told in his mouth was Cao Yong's whereabouts today.

"Buy birds and release them?" Si elder brother's blunt expression eased a lot when he heard this, and said: "Speaking of which, Cao Yong also has a bit of Buddha's fate."

Dai Jin went on to say: "Master, according to Liang Qi, of course there are a group of people who are staring at Cao Yong. Their whereabouts are secretive. I don't know what their origin is."

The fourth elder brother heard the words, his face sank, and he said: "So what? We were discovered?"

"Don't worry, Mr. Liang Qi is the most alert. When he found out that someone was following him, he deliberately went around to Brother Jiu's house." Dai Jin replied.

The fourth elder brother snorted coldly, and said: "How can we take chances? If there are such mediocre people everywhere, what's the use of keeping them?" At the end, he was already a little angry.

Dai Jin knew the fourth elder brother's temper, and he couldn't touch the sand in his eyes. He bowed and said, "They are all slaves, they are too negligent. This is called Liang Qiling sixty boards, as a severe punishment."

The fourth elder brother waved his hand without raising his head, and said, "Go, let others watch it, and have a better memory..."

*
At this time, Brother Jiu was sitting in the living room of the outer house of Prince Jian's Mansion in Fangjia Hutong, crossing his legs, looking at the furnishings in the house, not knowing that he had been blamed.

Hearing the sound of footsteps outside, Brother Jiu looked up at the door.

Seeing that it was Yaerjiang Ah who had arrived, he stood up and said with a smile: "Brother Wang, I am an uninvited guest today, brother Wang, don't blame me."

Yaerjiang'a was wearing ordinary clothes, and with a smile on his face, he said: "This is polite. The house here is shabby, Brother Jiu doesn't dislike it, if you can come to the door, it is already giving me face."

Brother Jiu pointed to the two antique bile bottles on the case, and said: "Just this pair of bottles can be exchanged for several houses. Brother Wang still said it was simple? In addition to the furniture hanging on the wall, Even if this house is not made of gold, it is still worth more than gold. It is said that the little sister-in-law here is Brother Wang's heart, but I thought it was an outsider spreading rumors. Looking at it today, I believe it."

Yaerjiang laughed triumphantly a few times, sat down with the guest and host of the ninth elder brother, and asked someone to bring tea.

Brother Nine is not full of food, if nothing happens, he will not chase him to the outer house.Yarjan's heart is open, and he has already thought about his speech.

Sure enough, Brother Nine expressed his intention to come with a few polite words, and he still wanted his disciples to be in charge of the errands of the imperial family.

So far, Brother Jiu still doesn't know that the clan's mansion exchanges gold for silver in Guangzhou.I only know that in exchange for gold, I went south to Guangdong to do other money-making businesses.

Hearing this, Yaerjiang'a frowned, hesitated for a moment, and said, "Brother Jiu, you are not an outsider, and I have nothing to hide from you, so I'll just tell you the truth. There is already a candidate for this job, and there is no shortage. "

Brother Nine's smile froze when he heard the words, and he looked at Yaerjiang and said, "Brother Wang, who is so diligent and rushed to participate in this matter?"

"Brother Thirteen." Yaerjiang replied.

Brother Nine was quite surprised, and asked with some doubts: "How could it be the old thirteen? He didn't stay in the mansion honestly, and rushed to participate in outside affairs?"

"The thirteenth brother is not a knight, and the shop in the mansion is selling foreign goods. Maybe he is afraid that the Ministry of Internal Affairs will go to Guangzhou to steal his business." Yaerjiang said casually.

There is a nose and an eye in what he said, Brother Jiu already believed it a little bit in his heart...

*
PS: monthly pass.Rolling around begging for a few guaranteed monthly tickets, it's about to fall below [-].

By the way, today Xiao Jiu appeared in Master Yueguan's new book "Growing Lotus Step by Step".Cough, play a good guy, ouch.ISBN 1409408
The mountains and rivers are picturesque, the beauties are like poetry, the world of Saha, lotuses grow every step of the way...

(End of this chapter)