The Child Emperor

The emperor was too young, and Qiao Wanfu used to be a little official who took care of the official warehouse. In Han Chou's eyes, such two people were really not worthy of being his opponents. That's right, he was careless for a while and was caught off guard in Luoyang. Leaving the nest, he was reduced to the capital as an idle official. Because of this, he had to go all out in the next battle.

Han Chou laughed, as if two old friends who had known each other for many years were making a rude and well-meaning joke. Suddenly he stopped and said a little embarrassedly: I'm sorry, Mr. Qiao, are you serious?

Jovanf nodded solemnly.

Han Chou smiled again, this time with a smile, and then sighed, Luoyang is the best place in the world, and they all say that it is a fertile land, but it is also a dangerous land. It is not easy to be an official in Luoyang. Master Qiao said that there are businessmen in Luoyang. To be accused of corruption and bribery, to be honest, I am not surprised at all, how many people I offended in Luoyang, and how many people want to kill me now.

Han Chou put away the last smile on his face, and said with the same seriousness: Thank you, Mr. Qiao, for your advance notice, but I have nothing to worry about. Today's sages are wise and wise, rare in ancient times, and will never be mistaken by a few profiteers. Anytime, anywhere, I'm willing to confront the accusers, no matter what.

This time it was Qiao Wanfu's turn to smile, The so-called evil does not suppress the righteous, Han Zongzheng is completely loyal, and those Luoyang businessmen were also fascinated by greed, and dared to attack Han Zongzheng. Because of his position in the Shaofu, the lower official accidentally When I heard about this, I came here to remind Han Zongzheng that this matter has not been brought to the attention of His Majesty, and Han Zongzheng understands it, I hope you don't...

Han Chou leaned over and wanted to pat Qiao Wanfu on the shoulder, but there was a short distance. Qiao Wanfu leaned forward wisely and handed his shoulder to Han Chou.

Before serving as an official in Henan County, and now serving for His Majesty in the capital, you and I are close friends. I understand that the conversation here will never reach the ears of a third party. Mr. Qiao informed the news in advance, which shows the friendship. I appreciate it and will never forget it.

The two talked for a while, Qiao Wanfu said goodbye, and Han Chou sent him to the door, looking at the distant background, his eyes gradually showed contempt.

On the surface, Qiao Wanfu lost a move, but he did not gain anything. Han Chou's self-confidence can only show one thing. He is the one who hides behind and manipulates businessmen to collect debts. It never broke, but it was stronger. As soon as I heard Qiao Wanfu's words, I knew it was a lie.

Qiao Wanfu also made an appointment with someone. In the evening, he arrived as scheduled, and the other party was already waiting for his visit.

Shen Mingzhi became prime minister as he wished, but he was always not confident enough. He always felt that such an arrangement was the emperor's expedient measure. As soon as he had a chance and a candidate, he would find an excuse to be replaced. Therefore, I heard that the officials brought back by the emperor from outside made an appointment to meet him. , agreed immediately, no matter how big the status gap between the two was.

The servant of the prime minister's mansion brought Qiao Wanfu to the back study, not only to express his kindness, but also to show that this was not a formal meeting, and he would not stay for dinner.

When he saw Shen Mingzhi's name on the list provided by the emperor, Qiao Wanfu was surprised at first. In his impression, Shen Mingzhi's reputation has always been good. During his tenure as the censor of the right patrol, he was responsible for supervising officials outside Beijing, which was relatively strict. , I seldom heard that he had bent the law for his own sake.

The censor of the right patrol has the opportunity to succeed the prime minister, and the position is relatively delicate. The further step is to be the head of the hundred officials. If you take a step back, you may be imprisoned. Shen Mingzhi has every reason to act cautiously.

But after reading the evidence given by the emperor, Qiao Wanfu could only feel that he still didn't know much about officialdom.

When Shen Mingzhi served as the censor of the right patrol, he did not accept bribes, but in order to become prime minister, he needed the support of some ministers. These ministers valued not only ability, but also actual rewards.

Shen Mingzhi had no money, so he could only ask for help from outsiders. Those who were willing to help the censor of the right patrol had long queued up. Shen Mingzhi carefully selected only one person, who was Yin Hanchou from Henan at that time.

Of course Han Chou was willing to help, but he would not pay the money himself, so he could only loot it from the merchants, and sent his confidants to contact the Right Patrol Censor on a single line.

This confidant kept the master's request in mind, kept his mouth shut, and kept aloof from businessmen and officials, but when he came to the ugly king, he was less vigilant.

Qiao Wanfu understood the difficulty of Shen Mingzhi. He was competing with Xiao Sheng, the censor of Zuo Cha, at that time. The Xiao family was very rich and generous. A clean official.

Shen Mingzhi did not get up to welcome the guests, but only let the servants take the seat. The two were polite for a while. Although the Shaofu was in charge of the emperor's private wealth, it was part of the court after all. Be concerned about paying off debts.

In order to settle the relatives of the Queen Mother, the Shaofu has spent a lot of money, right? Do you still have the energy to repay the debts of the refugees?

The placement of the Queen Mother's relatives, the households pay most of the money, and the young mansion does not spend too much. As for the debt repayment, there are indeed difficulties. I thought that those businessmen could understand the difficulties of the court, and looking at the current situation, they will not retreat.

Hey, no businessman is not a traitor, even if there is a guillotine in front of the silver, they dare to rush. ​​Shen Mingzhi has no direct contact with businessmen, and like most civil officials, he is full of contempt for such people, What help does the Shaofu need, although The opening is that His Majesty took the debt on himself, for the sake of the people of the world, how can the court sit idly by?

Qiao Wanfu got up, cupped his hands and said, Xiaguan does have something to ask for.

Sit, please speak.

Qiao Wanfu did not sit down, According to rumors, many businessmen are likely to gather in the Shaofu to collect debts on the day the Wang family arrives in Beijing. Your Majesty is busy with all kinds of plans and has no time to take this matter into consideration. Don't embarrass Your Majesty and Empress Dowager Cining.

It should be like this. Why deal with it in private? As long as your Majesty speaks, the court will issue an order to arrest a few profiteers, and the others will naturally flee. Alas, the current situation is not as good as before, if it was in the time of Emperor Wu...

During Emperor Wu's time, no merchants dared to come to ask for debts, but when Emperor Wu opened his mouth, he could not borrow any money, so the imperial court could only order heavy taxes.

Qiao Wanfu smiled, The key is not to distract Your Majesty. Wouldn't it be best if you could resolve this matter without His Majesty's words?

Shen Mingzhi is also an old fox. Hearing this, he already understands that the emperor wants to gain both fame and fortune, so he doesn't show up, hoping that the ministers will solve the problem on their behalf, so he also smiles: Of course, it is best for everything to be peaceful, just let Qiao Your Excellency is troubled. Mr. Qiao must have something to ask for when he visited this mansion, even if he said it, this official should help.

Mr. Qiao Wan bowed to the end, Master Xiang's words have already helped a lot.

Shen Mingzhi smiled and said: Don't be busy, you said, it's best not to disturb Your Majesty, that is to say, the court can't intervene publicly, and this official really doesn't know how to help.

The businessmen who came to Beijing to collect debts this time have the same behavior, and it is obvious that some people are organized. If a few leaders can be persuaded, the crisis can at least temporarily ease.

Shen Mingzhi pondered: It's not that this official shirks. In the name of the prime minister, this official may be able to intimidate some people. In terms of friendship, this official does not know a single businessman.

It doesn't matter, there is a person in the court who has the closest relationship with the businessman. He can match several orders of the court in one sentence. It's just that the lower official is not familiar with this person, so I have to ask the minister for help.

Oh, there is still such a person in the court? Who is it?

Zong Zhengqing Han Chou.

Shen Mingzhi's face sank, and then he returned to normal. After pondering for a moment, he replied: Han Zong is an important official of the clan. He has been an official in Luoyang before, and it is possible to be familiar with the merchants, but this official does not have much contact with him, so he can't speak in private. .

Qiao Wanfu showed disappointment, The rumors are all deceptive.

What rumor? Shen Mingzhi was immediately alert.

It is said that Xiangye and Han Zongzheng have a very good personal relationship, to the point that they are indistinguishable from each other, and they also say that the two adults give each other a betrothal gift, and they will only marry after the son and the young lady grow up.

Nonsense, the sons and daughters of this official are already married, so why do they say that they exchange betrothal gifts?

Qiao Wanfu bowed and apologized, Xiaguan was confused for a while, and listened to nonsense rumors, Xiangye forgives his sins.

People say it's scary, but this official can stand it, but I can't help Mr. Qiao, I'm ashamed.

Qiao Wanfu let out a long sigh, Since this road doesn't work, I have no other choice, so I have to report it to Your Majesty, saying that I am incompetent: the young mansion can't repay this debt, and I can't persuade these merchants, the only way is to come After a thorough investigation, even the merchants and officials are responsible for the pot, so the world can't say that His Majesty's actions are purely for the purpose of reneging on debts.

Qiao Wanfu saluted again, The court will need to come forward at that time, please prepare early.

Well, don't worry, Mr. Qiao. This official has little contact with Han Zongzheng, but there are always people in the DPRK who are familiar with him and may be able to help.

A large number of businessmen are likely to go to the Shaofu to collect debts the day after tomorrow, and the lower officials are afraid that it will be too late to ask others for help.

When is Mr. Qiao going to see His Majesty?

We have to go tomorrow night, or else Your Majesty will be caught off guard the day after tomorrow, and the offender's sin will be a big one.

Well, this officer can help you to ask, if you can find a minister who is familiar with Han Zongzheng, and Han Zongzheng can really talk to those businessmen, Mr. Qiao doesn't need to bother Your Majesty with this matter.

Qiao Wanfu lifted the front of his shirt, knelt down and kowtowed, Master Xiang saved the life of a lower official, a great kindness and great virtue, which will be unforgettable in this life.

Shen Mingzhi helped Qiao Wanfu, talked for a while, ordered his servants to see off the guests, sat alone in the study for a long time, and found his confidant butler, and asked him to immediately hold his handwriting and go to see Han Chou overnight.

On the way home, Qiao Wanfu had a lot of thoughts, and many words could not be said clearly. He hoped that Shen Mingzhi could correctly understand his meaning: as long as the prime minister can smoothly appease the debt collection, the emperor will not embarrass him.

The important officials in the DPRK have no real honest officials at all, and Shen Mingzhi is by no means the most serious official in corruption and bribery, and it can even be said to be a minor one.

Han Chou hadn't rested yet. After he got the chancellor's handwritten letter, he read it again, and fell into deep thought. The emperor and Qiao Wanfu were more difficult to deal with than he expected, and even the line of Shen Mingzhi was dug up.

He called Yunxiong, a hidden guest in the mansion, and threw Shen Mingzhi's letter over, The prime minister will not protect me anymore. The day after tomorrow is the day when the fish die and the net is broken. If you don't give me a little confidence, I don't plan to protect you.

Yunxiong cupped his hands and smiled: Sir, don't be impatient, if you want confidence, you will have it tonight, please wait for the good news.