Reborn in the last years of Kangxi

Chapter 727 Gold
Outside the bulletin board at Caishikou, there was a circle of people.

Whether you can read or not, stop and watch the excitement.Those who have read books for a few days and know a few big characters have to show off and explain the announcement.

It was originally a question from the Ministry of Criminal Justice. Several thieves stole the thieves who dug the mausoleum of the previous dynasty. The leader escaped, and the other thieves were caught. Today they will be hanged.

Xiao Xi put down the curtain of the car, and said to Han Jiang: "Girl, it seems we have to take a detour."

After all, the Han Jiang family is a woman's family, and they can't smell the killing, so they nodded.Xiaoxi poked her head out and gave the coachman a word.

After a while, the carriage arrived at Cao's Mansion in Xicheng.

Today, Han Jiangshi was invited by Chu Yu, but she is still ignorant of what the so-called matter is.

Han Jiang's family can be regarded as a frequent visitor to the Cao Mansion, and all the concierges know each other.In addition, Chu Yu had already sent a message to ask Han Jiang's inner house to speak directly, so Han Jiang's carriage rushed directly outside the second gate.

Xiyan waited at the second gate. Seeing Han Jiang's arrival, she sent people to Wutong Garden to report. , while leading her to Wutong Garden.

All the people who followed stopped at the second gate, only Xiao Xi followed Han Jiangshi into the second gate.

Along the way, those who met the steward's daughter-in-law and those who knew Han Jiang's family had to say hello; those who didn't know Han Jiang's family, seeing that Xi Yan was leading them, all stepped aside to make way for them.

When we arrived at Wutong Garden, Chu Yu's side, we just finished doing the housework.Zijing has to take care of Tianyou and Hengsheng, and Zhuangzi has not come back from Changping, so Chuyu has to worry about the big and small things in the mansion.

Seeing that Mrs. Han Jiang had arrived, Chu Yu dismissed everyone and invited her to sit down and have tea in the West Room.

Today I invited Han Jiangshi to come over, but I have something to ask for.It turned out that after Prince Jane Yarjiang made a fuss about collecting gold, there was a shortage of gold in the capital city.Now even if 12 taels is exchanged for one tael, there is still a price but no market.

At Chu Yu's mother's house, Er Gege has been married for several years and will be out of the court next year; Wu Gege will be seventeen next year, and he will be out of the court next year.King Chun Fujin wanted to prepare a dowry for the two princesses, whether it was jewelry or utensils, there was room for gold.

Refers to Gege who got married to Mongolia, there is a dowry provided by the Ministry of Internal Affairs, but for a noble daughter of the palace, getting out of the court is a lifelong event, and the palace should also prepare decently.

Besides, Er Gege is Chu Yu's same mother and sister, and Wu Gege is the only prostitute in Prince Chun's mansion, so even if their dowries are not comparable to Chu Yu's, they have to be similar.Especially for Wugege, the system should be richer than Chuyu's.

Chunwang Fujin couldn't find any gold outside, so he raised it with his daughter.

The Cao family also has a lot of gold, and they pay tribute to the palace during festivals and festivals, and sometimes they also use gold utensils.On Chuyu's side, Han Jiang's family was on her mind.

Although the Han Jiang clan has been in the capital for several years, due to his limited background, he has few contacts.In addition, her family's business was originally a bank, and it was specified that gold was indispensable, so Chu Yu thought of talking to her about this.

This is not a big deal, since Chuyu asked, Han Jiangshi readily agreed, and asked Chuyu how much to use.

Chu Yu thought about it for a while, and said an amount of 2000 taels.In addition to being used by Chun Wang Fujin, as an older sister, she also wanted to add makeup to the two younger sisters.

Compared with other things, gold is the most practical.

As long as you talk, there will be a woman who will report the matter.Seeing that Chuyu was busy, Han Jiangshi didn't stay long, got up and said goodbye.

On Chuyu's side, he ordered people to pack mushrooms, fungus, whitebait, venison, etc., which had just arrived from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and sent them to Han Jiang's family.

Wu Sheng has already got the news, and he called a few nurses to follow him, and went with Han Jiang's family to exchange gold at Han's house.

As for the 4000 taels of silver required for the exchange, it was not withdrawn from the Cao family account.Chu Yu made an agreement with Han Jiang's that at the end of the year, the income from going to Daoxiang Village would be deducted, so as not to send it back and forth cheaply.

On Han Jiang's side, they are only willing to exchange ten taels for one tael.Chu Yu asked her for help, how could he take advantage of her?According to the market price outside, I want to give her 12 taels.

Han Jiangshi saw that he couldn't talk to her, so he didn't say any more, but he made up his mind in his heart that he didn't want to take advantage of these thousands of taels of silver.She is not short of money, and it is rare to return a favor to the Cao family. If she still earns these thousands of taels of silver, what is the matter?
Favors give a horse, and buying and selling don't spare needles.

When not talking about business, the Han Jiang family doesn't value money...

*
The Forbidden City, the main hall of the House of Internal Affairs.

Yidu walked over immediately and saw two unfamiliar guards standing under the corridor, stopped the clerk who had just come out from the inner hall, and asked, "Why, Mr. Cao has a visitor?"

The clerk bowed and replied: "Returning to my lord, it is Prince Jian who has come, and the chief manager will accompany you to have tea."

Yi Duli nodded, waved his hand at the scribe, and said, "Understood. Go and do your work."

While talking, he looked at the booklet in his hand, and said to himself: "It seems that I have to come back later, really, is it true that Mr. Cao is a hen that can lay golden eggs?"

He shook his head, turned around and walked out of the yard.

In the hall, Cao Yong had already served tea, but Yaerjiang was not in the mood to drink tea.

He frowned and said: "Cao Yong, that boy Cui Fei sent the letter back. It is true that the gold can be exchanged for 13 taels of silver, but I heard that we have to wait. The number of young people who can be exchanged is limited, and we have to wait until next summer. Only then can the exchange be completed. Nowadays, the gold in Beijing is rare, and the king has asked people to inquire, and one tael of gold will cost twelve or three taels of silver. Now many people see the sky and talk to the king, what is this called? "

When Cao Yong heard this, he was really slandered.

Things have come to this point, who can be blamed?The planned 2 taels of gold turned into twelve or 3 taels of gold.In the past few months, the capital has withdrawn so much gold at once, it is no wonder that the price of gold does not rise.

After Yaerjiang Ah finished speaking, seeing that Cao Yong was silent, he raised his eyebrows and said: "You have nothing to say? You must find a way, otherwise the price of gold in the capital has been so high, wouldn't this business be in vain Toss?"

Cao Yong said: "the prince can't do anything, what idea can the lower officials come up with? He can't change the gold mountain at the moment. But the prince doesn't have to worry, just like the price of gold in Guangzhou is high, let's transport the gold to the south; the price of gold in the capital is high, Shanxi , Merchants from Liangjiang will also think about transporting gold to Beijing. It won’t be long before the gold is transported too much, and the price of gold will drop.”

"Well, what you said makes some sense." Yaerjiang nodded and said, "Actually, my king is looking for you today, and I have other matters to discuss."

Yaerjiang hesitated for a moment, and said: "I heard from Cui Fei's letter that the foreign goods business in Guangzhou is very good. If I remember correctly, the Nanyang trade road was originally under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The 10,000+ taels of gold were exchanged for silver. Just transporting it back to the capital is a waste. Look, Cao Yong, can you split up the business of the Ministry of Internal Affairs? Zuo Cui Fei and the others also make up for the lack of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and the operation is justified, right? "

This is the way of business that wants to blend in the original bidding. How could Cao Yong let go?
If this place lets go, the business roads in other places will also be lost. I don't know how many people are watching with red eyes.

"My lord, it's not that I'm an official who doesn't relieve my lord's worries, but that the bidding at the beginning of the year has a time limit. Some of them are three years, some of them are five years, and there are contracts. How many people were offended in order to raise those hundreds of taels of silver? , the prince knows it all. It’s only been less than a year. If the Ministry of Internal Affairs intervenes in the commercial business again, I’m afraid it’s inappropriate. Not to mention the prestige of the Ministry of Internal Affairs will be ruined, and the officials will also be drowned by spit stars.” Cao Yong added a little Thinking about it, there is no excuse, and telling the truth, very sincerely said: "I also ask the prince to be considerate of my servant, I am very grateful."

Yaerjiang Ah just thought of this. Although Cao Yong didn't let go, seeing his heart-to-heart appearance, his heart was also ironed.

Besides, he had also heard that the Wang family, which runs the commercial road in Guangzhou, had some problems with the Thirteenth Brother's House, so he was somewhat apprehensive.

He glared at Cao Yong and scolded with a smile: "It's just that you are lazy and don't want to bother to share your worries for the king, so you are so pitiful. Forget it, it's up to you. Just remember that you owe this king a favor. If this king has a place to order you, there is no need for you to shirk."

Cao Yong can only admire in his heart, obviously he helped Yaerjiang A to come up with a way to exchange gold, which can be regarded as suspending the economic crisis of the clan mansion.This didn't even get a "thank you", and when the topic changed, he became a debt of favor.

"As long as the minister can serve his life, he will respect the orders of the prince." But there is no place to reason, Cao Yong can only bite the bullet and answer.

Only then did Yaerjiang stand up contentedly, and added a little smile to Cao Yong's eyes.

As the end of the year approached, there were a lot of chores that needed to be taken care of at the clan's mansion, so he didn't stay long, and said: "Just write it down, get busy first, the king has returned to the yamen."

Cao Yong got up and sent it to the yard in person.

Yaerjiang recalled something, turned around, and asked, "How is your father doing recently? I also heard about the resignation. I happened to buy some ginseng and deer antler from outside the pass, both of which are of the highest quality. The king has already ordered someone to prepare a copy, and it will be delivered to your residence as soon as possible. If there is still something missing, just ask.”

Although just now Yaerjiang Ah's irrational words were a headache, but the ardent and caring intention at the moment does not seem to be fake.

Cao Yong couldn't help thanking him, and then watched Yaerjiang's back leave.

When Cao Yong came back to the hall, Yi Duli had already received the letter. He knew that Yaerjiang had left, so he came to talk to Cao Yong.

Cao Yong found it strange that he seemed to avoid Yaerjiang'a in his speech.Because Yaerjianga's side Fujin is Yiduli's cousin, and she is also an in-law.

It's just that this is Yiduli's private matter. Although Cao Yong felt strange, he didn't take the initiative to ask each other.

Yi Duli came here, also for the matter of gold.

The newly built Tangquan Palace and several Buddhist halls all need gold.In addition, new palaces everywhere, painting dragons and phoenixes, also need gold.But fortunately, there is no rush.

Due to the severe cold at present, the work there has been suspended, and the construction will not start until February next year.

Even so, there are more than one or two places where the Ministry of Internal Affairs lacks gold.Especially at the end of the year, the palace will give out money.Even if there are only a few small gold ingots in a purse, but there are many places to reward, it is still a lot of money.

"Master Yi, how should he deal with it?" Cao Yong thought that Yaerjiang A and Yi Duli came here for gold, and he felt a little funny, as if he dug a hole himself, and now he has to think about how to fill the hole Flat like.

Yi Duli has always been accustomed to listening to Cao Yong's words, so how can he have his own idea?
Listening to Cao Yong's question, he couldn't help being stunned, and said: "What can I do for the lower officials, of course I should ask my lord for instructions!"

Cao Yong spread his hands and said: "The gold on the surface of the capital city has been searched by Lord Jian. What can I do? Is it possible that I will ask for a leave of absence and take someone to search for gold mines?"

When Yi Duli heard this, his eyes lit up, and he said: "Your Excellency, don't forget to take your subordinates with you. Your Excellency is willing to go with you."

Cao Yong is just a joke, he is not a god, how would he know where the gold mine is.But seeing Yi Duli trusting without thinking, his mood improved a lot.

"Don't worry, my lord. If there is a day when I go out to search for gold mines, I will definitely go with my lord." Cao Yong said with a smile: "My lord doesn't have to worry about the use of gold in the palace. The emperor still has an internal treasury. As for the palace , By February next year, the price of gold may drop."

After hearing this, Yi Duli felt a little disappointed, and said: "Thanks to your lord's blessing, I have been outside a few times in the past few years. Now I feel that the capital is really difficult, and I feel much more comfortable outside."

Cao Yong knew that he was just complaining.If he was really asked to be released as an official, he would not go.He is the eldest son in the family, and he has to serve his widowed mother to fulfill his filial piety.

"The waves behind the Yangtze River push the waves ahead, and the blue is better than the blue." This is what Cao Yin said to his son after he handed over his letter of resignation.

In Cao Yong's heart, he knew that no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't keep up with his father.Because I was not a native of the Qing Dynasty, the word "loyalty" was missing.

Be it Kangxi, or the fourth elder brother who has not ascended the throne, no one is a human sperm tempered in the palace.

Do I really want the "Road to a Famous Minister" that my father expected?Wouldn't that be pretending for a lifetime?

Even a real actor will show his flaws sometimes; he is just a mortal, how can he perform on stage for a lifetime?

*
Cao Mansion, side hall.

Seeing her father whom she hadn't seen for several months, Qiniang jumped for joy and threw herself into Fang Zhonggong's arms, her eyes were already red with grievance: "Father is really bad, why did you come back?"

Fang Zhonggong fondled his daughter's hair, looked her carefully, and said, "Qiniang has grown taller."

Qiniang raised her chin, stretched out her hand, touched Mr. Fang Zhong's chin, and asked in surprise, "Hey, where is Dad's beard?"

"Hehe, it's not cheap to go out, it's a scrape." Fang Zhonggong replied.

How can Qiniang believe it?A beard is not hair, but it is only two or three inches long, so why is it not cheap?However, it is true that she looks ten or 20 years younger after such a tidying up.

With curiosity, she couldn't help but carefully looked at her father's eyes again.There is still no trace of heroic spirit, wearing a gorgeous new cloak, looking like a local rich man.

She hugged Fang Zhonggong's arm, pointed to the woman standing behind him, and asked, "Father, who is she?"

She lost her mother since she was a child, and she has been used to hearing stories about bad stepmothers in dramas over the years, seeing her father tidy up like this, she couldn't help but be wary, for fear that she would have an extra stepmother.

The woman was wearing a blue cloth gown, her black hair was braided, hanging behind her head, her head was lowered, and she couldn't see her eyes clearly.

"It's the daughter of my father's old friend. Her name is Xiaoying. Qiniang wants to call her sister." Mr. Fang Zhong said to Qiniang, and then said to Xiaoying: "Niece, this is your sister Qiniang."

The woman raised her head at this moment, she was only fifteen or sixteen years old, her complexion was a bit dark, and she looked very thin.Although she cannot be said to be an amazing beauty, there is another kind of delicate look between her eyebrows.

She bent her knees and said a blessing to Qiniang.

Qiniang put down her father's arm, feeling a little embarrassed, and politely replied, "Sister Xiaoying, Wanfu."

Wei Hei was preparing to go back to his hometown these two days, so he didn't follow Cao Yong to the Yamen.Mr. Fang Zhong knew only a few people in Cao's house. He just heard that Cao Yong had gone to the Yamen at the concierge. The second person to ask was Wei Hei.

Wei Hei has always had a problem in his heart, that is, the main messenger of the assassin in Chunri has not been found out so far.Seeing Mr. Fang finally came back, he was full of doubts.

Fang Zhonggong also has a lot to say, and he wants to talk to Wei Hei.

After seeing his daughter and Xiaoying, he said to Qiniang: "Your elder sister Xiaoying traveled a long distance with her father, and the carriages and horses are exhausted. Qiniang will take your elder sister down to rest first."

Although Qiniang was reluctant to part with her father, seeing Qiniang's lack of expression, she obediently responded and took Xiaoying down to resettle.

"I have sent people to the yamen to invite you, and you will be back in about half an hour." Wei Hei said to the other party: "A few days ago, I heard you mention that Mr. Fang picked up Fang Baikui's bones and returned to Fujian. He thought he would have to wait a few years later Only then can there be old news from Fang.”

Not only Qiniang looked at Fang Zhonggong strangely, but even Wei Hei also saw that something was wrong with him.

It's just that he was born in a reckless rivers and lakes, and he is used to seeing people change clothes, mostly when he got into a lawsuit and died on the verge of death.

Thinking of this, Wei Hei's heart sank.He walked to the door, dismissed the waiter, and came back, "Could it be that Mr. Fang got involved in a lawsuit?"

Mr. Fang Zhong sighed, and said: "Master Wei guessed right, Mr. Fang did not expect to end up in such a situation. Because of Mr. Cao's order, Mr. Fang returned to Fujian and handed Mr. Fang's bones to Fang. After being a member of the clan, he went north to Zhili. Before the matter came to light, the lawsuit was unclear. An old friend of Fang was implicated by Fang and fell into the hands of the government. Even Fang was also punished by the Ministry of Punishment. Wanted. Fortunately, Fang was on guard before, and escaped only by using aliases and false hometowns reported to the outside world. Xiao Ying just now is the daughter of that old friend. The helping hand, unexpectedly, came a step too late, and the government has already executed the execution by hanging."

According to the usual practice, the punishment of Autumn Judgment is carried out after the Mid-Autumn Festival every year.

If this friend Fang Zhonggong fell into the hands of the government recently, even if he was sentenced to death, he should wait until next autumn.Those who can be sentenced to beheaded or strangled must be heinous crimes.

Thinking of this, Wei Hei couldn't help frowning, and asked, "Old Fang, what are you accused of?"

"Stealing and excavating the imperial tomb of the former dynasty!" Fang Zhonggong replied.

This is the latest big case, and Wei Hei has also heard about it.

"Could it be that Mr. Fang is 'Han Qi', the leader of the robbers who robbed the imperial tombs of the former dynasty, who was wanted by the Ministry of Criminal Justice?" Wei Hei lowered his voice and asked.

Mr. Fang Zhong nodded, and said with a bit of grief and indignation: "Wang Wu who is hanged today is Xiaoying's father, Mr. Wei, Fang is incompetent, and his brother has been wronged and killed innocently. For all these things, we have to ask Cao Grandpa is in charge..."

*
quack.Tomorrow, the secret will be revealed, the story of the black hand behind the scenes.On the last three days of the month, Xiao Jiu begged for a monthly pass. .

(End of this chapter)