The Child Emperor

The Shaofu is in charge of the emperor's private wealth. Since the beginning of the autumn, it has been facing a great enemy: more and more businessmen from other places gather. Although very few people dare to come to ask for debts, they still refuse to leave. Not decreasing, but increasing.

The young mansion maintained a cold and arrogant attitude, and said nothing, as if disdain to speak out for this small amount of money. In fact, he was very guilty. All the IOUs from refugees from all over the world were gathered here. The same thing: Shaofu can’t afford to pay, even if the Ministry of Household takes out the revenue of the imperial court, it will be able to pay off without food or drink for five or six years.

Businessmen who borrowed debts to refugees, especially those in Luoyang, are extremely treacherous. After clever disguise, one or two points of profit on the surface can be calculated to be as high as five points or even ten points. People, occupying fields, occupying houses, after being intercepted by the emperor, they only want money.

Qiao Wanfu entered the Shaofu from the small Ao Cangling, and he only served as a deputy, but he was an official appointed by the emperor himself and had the most direct responsibility for repaying the debt.

He was also guilty, and he had not thought about eating and drinking for several days. As soon as the doorman entered the lobby, he was terrified, thinking it was the arrival of a businessman who wanted a debt.

On this day, he was summoned by the emperor and arrived at the Marquis Mansion early.

Han Ruzi had been busy all day, and he didn't know that Qiao Wanfu had been waiting for a day. After meeting, he said, How long has Mr. Qiao been here?

It won't be long, just a while. Qiao Wanfu didn't even eat lunch. One was that he didn't have his food, and the other was that he had no appetite.

How is the situation over there in the Shaofu? Han Ruzi was rude and went straight to the topic.

Qiao Wanfu saluted, Wei Chen got the news that three days later, on the day the Queen Mother's family arrives in Beijing, the merchants will gather in the Shaofu to collect debts.

Well, what is the Shaofu's response?

Weichen thought that we needed to kill chickens and monkeys, and we also needed to do it first. Before the debt collectors came to the door, we should arrest a few people and ask them for the crime of robbery. There are many loopholes in those IOUs, and His Majesty has a lot of loopholes in them. Other evidence is enough. Wei Chen has a list here, there are exactly five people, they are the leaders of Luoyang merchants, jumping up and down, causing trouble, and counting them the most, buying IOUs and settling on the day when the Queen Mother welcomes her family to collect debts are all theirs idea.

The evidence in the emperor's hands all came from the ugly king, which was hidden in the Marquis Mansion, and has been kept as a killer weapon.

If it had been a few days earlier, Han Ruzi might have suggested to Qiao Wanfu. This was originally his idea, but under the influence of Zhao Ruosu, he changed his mind.

The real emperor is killing harm for the people, but the emperor in the minds of everyone is likely to default on his debts and instead frame them. After all, the bad terms in those IOUs are deeply hidden. Because of a deed of sale, there is not much hatred for the merchant who lent them money, and some people are grateful.

Han Ruzi explained to Qiao Wanfu: This is my mistake, I should explain the sinister nature of these IOUs to the refugees early in the morning, so that the world can see clearly the treacherousness of Luoyang merchants, and then arrest people will be a matter of course. Now the trouble is Yes, by putting these five people in prison, the world will not think they are guilty, but will only think that I am playing a rogue.

Qiao Wanfu thought about it so much, But... the young mansion really can't repay these debts, and most of the debts should not be repaid, or only the principal, so the debt can be reduced by at least 30%, or even 50%, Shaofu still can’t afford it, but the pressure will be much less.”

Han Ruzi thought for a while, then leaned over and asked, Have you investigated, why are these businessmen so bold?

Qiao Wanfu bowed and said: I have inquired, all the five business leaders instigated and instigated evil.

Then why are these five people so bold?

Qiao Wanfu was taken aback, Because...because there is a backer behind him?

Han Ruzi nodded, picked up a stack of papers on the table and shook it, I have detailed information on these five people. It's a coincidence that among the evidence of bribing officials in Luoyang, these five people have the most content.

Qiao Wanfu suddenly felt a lot clearer, Yes, these five people spent a lot of money and bought almost all the officials in Luoyang. Even in the capital, as far as Wei Chen knows, many people have received their gifts. He shook his head, Could it be that there are ministers behind these businessmen?

Although no clear supporters have been found in various sources of information, Han Ruzi will definitely have them. The actions of those businessmen are too consistent, and it is definitely not something that can be discussed by a few people.

Qiao Wanfu stepped forward and asked, Does Your Majesty want to arrest a few ministers first?

Han Ruzi smiled and shook his head, The time has not yet come, and arresting someone now will still not escape the suspicion of defaulting on the debt, and it will also frighten the DPRK.

Your Majesty means... Qiao Wanfu was confused again.

Can the refugees borrow money, can the emperor borrow money?

Qiao Wanfu didn't understand the meaning of this sentence, Uh, as far as Wei Chen knows, Emperor Wu once collected heavy taxes from merchants from all over the world due to insufficient military spending, but that was not a loan, and it was cancelled after a few years. The minister dared to say that heavy taxation should not be taken lightly. At the time, the annual income may have been increased, but it will be greatly reduced later. There is no reason for it. Heavy taxation destroys business. Although some businessmen are abhorrent, but without these people, the world will stop. There will be fewer exchanges between them, and Qi will suffer more.

The more self-sufficient a place is, the easier it is to feel rebellious. When Qiao Wanfu was an official in Aocang, he felt deeply about this. He once mentioned it to the emperor, and now he reminds it again.

The imposition of heavy taxes is the last resort. Of course, Han Ruzi will not use it casually. He smiled and said, You misunderstood. I mean simply borrowing money. For example, I will borrow ten taels of silver from you now.

Qiao Wanfu looked dazed, the emperor really stretched out his hand behind the table, Does Mr. Qiao have ten taels of silver on him?

Twelve taels... Yes. Qiao Wanfu fumbled for a while, took out a few pieces of silver, and blushed, Your Majesty forgives the sin, Wei Chen went out in a hurry, and only brought these six or seven taels.

Enough is enough, ask Mr. Qiao to lend me six or seven taels of silver.

There were no outsiders in the study, so Qiao Wanfu had to go forward, put the money on the table with both hands, and then pushed it towards the opposite side, still feeling that the money was too little, and his face turned even redder.

Han Ruzi stretched out his hand and hugged the silver coins, glanced at them, put them on a piece of paper, and pushed them back together, I'll give you the silver back, so it counts as I borrowed money, right?

Qiao Wanfu was completely bewildered, and carefully withdrew the silver. Under the emperor's signal, he also took the paper in his hand, took a few steps back, and said hesitantly, Forget it.

Master Qiao is embarrassed, I can only borrow a few taels, but someone has money, so they should be able to borrow a little more.

Qiao Wanfu looked at the emperor, if he understood something.

Han Ruzi was inspired by Chao Jing. Corrupt officials embezzled money from businessmen, so why not let them pay off the emperor's debts? I originally said that I wanted to kill chickens and monkeys, but I made a mistake. The leaders of businessmen are not businessmen, but corrupt officials. It is more effective to fight corrupt officials than businessmen.

Qiao Wanfu looked down at the paper in his hand. There were more than a dozen names neatly written on it. All of them were officials from Luoyang and the capital. Zong Zhengqing and Han Chou came first.

I don't have time to deal with corrupt officials right now, but I can always borrow some money from corrupt officials, right?

Qiao Wanfu said in shock: But these people will not admit that they are corrupt officials. If your Majesty borrows money, they will definitely give it, but they will not give too much.

The evidence of the businessman's bribery is also the evidence of the official's bribery. Mr. Qiao will take away a few copies later, enough for them to admit that they are corrupt officials.

Qiao Wanfu suddenly came to his senses, Your Majesty asked Wei Chen to borrow money?

Han Ruzi smiled and said, If I borrow money in person, I will leave a pretext, so if I want to fake someone else's hand, Mr. Qiao is willing to do it for me.

Of course. Borrowing money for the emperor has no faults. Qiao Wanfu has no reason to refuse. He is still worried about the number. Although these people are corrupt officials, they can't pay all their debts even if they go bankrupt.

Han Ruzi put away his smile, Mr. Qiao doesn't need to take the money directly, just divide the IOUs from the Shaofu. The merchants forcibly rob it, most of the money flows into the hands of the corrupt officials, and the corrupt officials provide protection for the robbery. In the final analysis, these debts It's a matter between businessmen and corrupt officials, let them settle the accounts themselves. If anyone is unwilling, the young mansion will come forward, and some people will not, I will come forward.

Qiao Wanfu held the list, thought about it for a while, and knelt down, Don't worry, Your Majesty, this can be done.

When Qiao Wanfu left, the two eunuchs carried a box and sent it out of the house. Qiao Wanfu's entourage took it, feeling really heavy.

After arriving home, Qiao Wanfu immediately opened the box and inspected it. Although it was a copy, the copy was very clear and almost the same as the original.

Qiao Wanfu watched for a whole night, and his confidence increased. After dawn, his stomach growled with hunger, and he was satisfied after drinking three bowls of porridge.

There was not much time, so Qiao Wanfu went to the Shaofu Dianmao first, took care of some affairs, and sent his servants to send greetings to the two adults, one to meet at noon, the other to meet in the evening, and warned the servants to make an appointment , really not, can imply that what to talk about is very important.

The first person Qiao Wanfu saw was Han Chou.

Ao Cang belongs to Henan County. Qiao Wanfu used to be a small official under Han Chou, and he rarely even had the chance to meet each other. Now he is still a small official in front of Zong Zhengqing, but his status is different. Everyone knows him. Appreciated by the emperor, the future is promising. Without any hints from the servant, Han Chou immediately agreed to meet at noon, at the Zongzheng Mansion.

Qiao Wanfu didn't bring anything, and left his entourage in the Shaofu. He went to the meeting alone with a sense of relief.

Han Chou hadn't guessed Qiao Wanfu's intention yet, so he greeted him warmly, and he was very polite.

Qiao Wanfu was also very polite, recalling the past in Luoyang with Han Chou, lamenting the ups and downs of life, and praising the emperor's kindness... After half an hour, Qiao Wanfu explained his purpose.

Han Zongzheng is in danger at the moment, is there a way to save himself?

Han Chou was stunned for a moment, then his face sank, Why did Mr. Qiao say this?

A businessman is about to submit a letter to testify that Han Zong was bribery and bribery when he was in Luoyang.

Han Chou was stunned for a second, then laughed. It was hard to say anything else. He was not afraid of the accusations from the businessman.

Qiao Wanfu smiled rightly, as if it was just a little joke.

If he can't even do this well, Qiao Wanfu will be ashamed of the emperor's reuse.