Reborn in the last years of Kangxi

Chapter 788
This year, Shengjia left Beijing to escape the summer heat earlier than in previous years. On April [-]th, Shengjia left Beijing to Xingrehe.Originally, it was planned that the third elder brother, seventh elder brother, ninth elder brother, fifteenth elder brother, sixteenth elder brother, and twenty elder brother should follow suit.Later, for some reason, the ninth elder brother and the sixteenth elder brother both stayed in the capital.

The third elder brother hesitated in his heart. For a while, he felt that the fourth elder brother who stayed in the capital to preside over government affairs was more valued by the emperor's father, and for a while he felt that it would be a good thing for him to be by Shengjia's side.

After all, the prince elder brother who stayed in the capital was no better than the crown prince supervising the country, and major national affairs still had to be approved by Rehe.

It's just that a few days ago the Empress Dowager was presenting to the Andi Palace, and the imperial father asked the fourth elder brother to read the proclamation ceremony. I don't know if there is any deep meaning in it.

Thinking of this, the third elder brother became more and more resentful. If it hadn't been for the Meng Guangzu case, he would not have been implicated, and his status in front of the emperor's father would have plummeted.

Although I'm not sure who did it, but it's just those few good brothers.Don't others have disciples?Before the third elder brother left Beijing, he called his confidants, that is, Duoduo sent people to pay attention to the various prefectures in the capital.

According to Huang Jie's warning, he should not invite too much fame, lest he violate the imperial father's taboo.Since he is not easy to invite names, then don't expect others to be clean.The big guys are all dirty, so you can't tell black and white.

On Cao Yong's side, he hurried back to the Ministry of Households after sending off the holy driver to the courtiers' palace.

Mu Helun, Minister of the Ministry of Household Affairs, "collected money and food from the Ministry of Accounts along with the balance of silver and did not report it according to the facts", was demoted to five levels and left the Ministry of Accounting today.

Cao Yong is not bored with this Shangshu who is dawdling in the household department with a "corrupt" stomach.Speaking of it, the origin of the two can be traced back to the 49th year of Kangxi.Although we don't have much contact, we have known each other for ten years.

Whether he was a doctor in the household department in the early years, or in the past two years, Mu Helun, an official of the household department, treated Cao Yong politely.Cao Yong likes such a person, save trouble and worry.

Even if he doesn't have much talent, but he doesn't envy the virtuous and doesn't take credit from his subordinates, Mu Helun, an old man who usually looks smiling, is already much better than many people.

Moreover, speaking of Cao Yong, he still owes Mu Helun a favor.When Cao Yong was still in the household department in the early years, Mu Helun asked him to recommend a secretary, and Fu Xiangong and Peng Zhu of the Fujian department filled the vacancy of Yuanwailang.in,
Now these two people are still in the household department, Fu Xiangong is already a doctor in Fujian, and Peng Zhu has been promoted to a doctor in the warehouse.

These two are grateful for the kindness of Cao Yong's recommendation. They have always respected Cao Yong regardless of Cao Yong's promotion or demotion over the years.It's just because Cao Yong is currently serving as the accountant officer, in order to avoid suspicion, the contacts are alienated.

When Mu Helun left, Cao Yong naturally wanted to see him off.

Several hall officials from the household department, Shangshu Zhao Shenqiao, servants Fu Erhuna and Guo Barn have left Beijing, leaving only the servants Wang Jingzeng and Liang Shixun.

Except for Cao Yong, Wang Jingzeng and Liang Shixun all came to see Mu Helun off.

Mu Helun was born in the family of the Lord of the Eight Banners, even if he was convicted this time, it is hard to guarantee that he will not stand up.In the officialdom, no matter what the relationship is in private, you have to leave three points in the face to speak.

Mu Helun was still smiling, but looked haggard.He didn't come from a professional background, he started from a pen sticking style, and then moved four times to be a censor, and three times to be a cabinet bachelor. He was once the most important courtier of Kangxi.Even when he was involved in the "Mingzhu Case" and "Garri Case" in his early years, he still stood firm.

It's just that he is in a prominent position, and he no longer has the courage of his early years.

Cao Yong sighed slightly in his heart, who would have thought that the fat Shangshu in front of him was once a stern imperial censor.In the early years, I went to Shandong to check relief, impeached officials in half of Shandong Province, and ruined the top hats of more than a dozen countries. How courageous it was.

In recent years, the role of Mu Helun's household department was only to be a palm-sealed minister, who became the emperor's answerer, and kept the minister Zhao Shenqiao at bay.

Wang Jingzeng and Liang Shixun arrived at the Ministry of Households late, and because of the Manchu-Han divide, they had a mediocre relationship with Mu Helun.

On the contrary, Cao Yong, who usually acted in a low-key manner, followed him on horseback and sent Mu Helun two streets away.

When parting, Cao Yong didn't say anything, but personally sent a half-sized blue satin bundle.Mu Helun didn't want to accept it at first, but seeing Cao Yong's frank and calm expression, he couldn't refuse, so he accepted it.

The long follower who waited beside him knew Cao Yong's name, and he still murmured in his heart, could it be that there is really some rumor that his master has no hope of recovery, which attracts people to give money and make a fortune.

Mu Helun was also curious about what was in the package.

Back in the mansion, before he changed his clothes, he opened it.There are only two small buckets of tea and a purple clay teapot inside.

Mu Helun looked at the tea leaves, smelled the faint tea fragrance, and immediately recognized that it was "Yimeng Winter Tea", which is priceless in the capital.He is a tea addict, but Cao Yong has known him for ten years, and they have kept in touch with each other, and this is the first time he has been given tea.

Although "Yimeng Winter Tea" was discovered by Cao Yong, everyone knows that the Cao family did not keep it privately, and the tea garden was distributed to several princes' mansions.

Mu Helun was of the same family as the old lady Jueluo, the mother of Seishtu, and had exchanged half a catty with the mansion there a few years ago.

Don't talk about the tea, just talk about the purple sand teapot. Mu Helun is a tea lover, so there are naturally all kinds of good tea sets in his home.This teapot looks simple in style and does not look prosperous, but when you hold it in your hand, you can know that it is a top-grade purple sand.Look carefully at the inscription below, there is only the simple word "Da Bin".

Mu Helun's eyes lit up, this is the name of everyone in the previous dynasty.

Such a purple clay pot, even if you want to spend money, there is no place to sell it.For a while, he couldn't put it down, and the disappointment of being demoted was gone.

He stroked the purple sand pot and then stroked the two barrels of tea, his face was full of joy, and he was already thinking about how many days these teas would last.

That's right, he will not be a minister in the future, and he will not be in the prominent position, so he can have the cheek to mix a few catties of tea with Cao Yong, a "tea boy".

Thinking of the young man who sent him two streets on horseback, Old Shangshu couldn't help but fell into deep thought...

*
After Cao Yong sent off Mu Helun, he turned the reins back to the household department.

Mu Helun's transfer was suddenly decided by Kangxi, and no new minister has yet been selected.According to Brother Sixteen, perhaps Kangxi moved to the household department due to the occupation of Tibet, so Mu Helun had no choice but to give up his position.

The emperor reused Zhao Shenqiao and placed Mu Helun in the Ministry of Talents, but it was because he was used to it, and he was not expected to have merit, but he was expected to have no faults.Nowadays, the Ministry of Household needs money, and "no fault" has become "fault".

Why is it said that the emperor's mind is difficult to guess, because other people are human.People's hearts are different, but if you compare your heart with your heart, you can also feel the sorrow, joy and pain of others.The emperor is not only a human being, but also an emperor.There is only one emperor, so his mind is like a cloud in the sky, unpredictable and no one can grasp it.

As soon as he arrived at the door of the household department, Cao Yong was stopped by Brother Fourteen.

Although Cao Yong was impatient in his heart, but the rules dictated that he could only dismount to pay his respects.

The fourteenth elder brother had a bit of regret on his face, and he frowned and said: "Cao Yong, my master and Huang Ama recommended you to be your servant of the household department, but Huang Ama rejected the book."

When Cao Yong heard the words, he thought it was funny.I am 25 years old this year. Since the founding of the Qing Dynasty, there has not been a 25-year-old servant, right?

Decades later, there was a favorite minister, He Shen, who became minister in his thirties, and then became a minister.After 20 years of prominence, he had accumulated a huge family fortune. The new emperor ascended the throne and was confiscated to death.Bearing the reputation of corrupt officials, the royal treasury was cheap in the end, so it is said that the emperor is the best of the best.How can this be a petting courtier? How is this different from raising fat pigs in captivity?
The fourteenth elder brother sold well, but he was just trying to win him over. Although Cao Yong was disdainful in his heart, he still thanked him respectfully.

The fourteenth elder brother has always been in a hurry when he came to the Ministry of War. After exchanging greetings with Cao Yong, he took out his pocket watch from his pocket, it seemed that he was in a hurry.He put the pocket watch back, and asked straight to the point: "Cao Yong, Xiao Shiliu was supposed to be a follower, why didn't he go? I heard that he has been looking for you all the time recently, are you planning something?"

Cao Yong is a little difficult to answer, the relationship between the two is not enough to know everything; but if he does not know, he will not be able to hide it from others when the money is done, but he will offend the fourteenth elder brother.

As he was thinking about it, he heard Elder Fourteen say: "Cao Yong, I know that you have some grievances with Brother Ninth. Speaking of which, you are still our niece and son-in-law. They are all in the capital, and we can't see each other when we look up. Brother Ninth loves economics the most." Yes. Another day when the Lord will be the host, let's have a good drink and avoid grudges with a smile, what do you think?"

Cao Yong's scalp was numb from his staring, and he couldn't take it easy. He admitted that he had any grievances with the prince's elder brother, so he could only deal with it: "Fourth Lord loves you, dare you not obey his orders? It's just a word of grievances, please ask ten Don't mention it, fourth master, I never felt any resentment towards ninth master in my heart."

I don't know whether Brother Fourteen believes it or not, maybe what he wants is just a statement from Cao Yong.

He was in the Ministry of War, so he knew the situation in the Northwest very well, and he could guess that the discussion between Brother Sixteen and Cao Yong must be a "big business of making money", so he came here eagerly, wanting to push Brother Nine out to get a share of the pie.But I don't know that in the plan of Cao Yong and the sixteenth elder brother, the ninth elder brother was originally counted.

Because he was in a hurry and wanted to get results before the end of the year, Brother Sixteen did not delay. After discussing with Cao Yong that day, he found an opportunity to talk to Brother Nine.Otherwise, Brother Nine would not have temporarily withdrawn from the list of retinues.

The fourteenth elder brother left contentedly, Cao Yong looked at his back, but got a message, that is, the ninth elder brother and the fourteenth elder brother who watched the relationship "return to the original" were not as good as they appeared before. intimate.

Without the assistance of the eighth elder brother and the support of the ninth elder brother, the "emperor dream" of the fourteenth elder brother became more and more illusory.

*
Cao's family, Xifu, Lanyuan, Shangfang.

Mrs. Li and Chuyu's mother-in-law and daughter-in-law were discussing going to Haidian Garden to escape the summer heat. Seeing that the weather was getting hotter, Mrs. Li wanted to go to Haidian Garden with her husband.

As a daughter-in-law, Chu Yu wanted to follow her to serve her, but was persuaded by Mrs. Li.

According to Li's statement, Cao Yong went to the Yamen as an errand every day. If he traveled to Haidian, it would be strange.Besides, there are a bunch of maids and mothers-in-law, so there is no need for the daughter-in-law to serve them personally.

Besides, Cao Xiang of the Eastern Mansion has already been hired by the General's Mansion, and is scheduled to marry on the eighth day of May.In the mansion over there, Mrs. Zhao Jia can't be counted on. Mrs. Li wants to invite her to take her fourth sister and fifth son to Haidian Garden to escape the summer heat, so as not to cause trouble for her.

Jinghui is seven months pregnant and has a bulky body; Suxin is just a young daughter-in-law, and she has to help Chuyu, the elder sister-in-law, in order to prepare for the wedding.

Because of her mother-in-law's insistence, Chu Yu had no choice but to stay, and the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law agreed on a list to follow.I still want to follow last year's example, the children and husband will go there, and only Cao Yong and his wife will be left in the mansion.

Originally, I was worried about whether Tianhui would go to the garden with her grandmother or stay in Wutong Garden, but yesterday a letter was delivered from the Pingjun Prince's Mansion, and Cao Jia wanted to take her niece to live there for a while.

Although Chu Yu was reluctant, but she sympathized with the pain of her eldest sister's bereavement, asked her mother-in-law and her daughter's thoughts, and agreed...

(End of this chapter)