Daming Yinghua

Chapter 444: The relative who made the decision

In the mid-spring of the third year of Taichang, when Zheng Haizhu left Beijing, even her subordinate Hong Chengchou thought she was going to Daning again to keep an eye on Dai Guozong's descendants for the imperial court to replenish their army.

In fact, Zheng Haizhu met up with the Dongchang fans sent by Tian Ergen in the southwest of Beijing, entered the border of Henan, passed through Zhangde, Weihui, and Huaiqing prefectures, until they crossed the Yellow River in Meng County and entered the country of King Fu Zhu Changxun. Henan Prefecture, stationed in a carriage shop where merchants gathered outside Luoyang City.

After Wei Zhongxian got the news, he came over quickly.

"Madam, as you expected, King Fu refused to pay even 200,000 taels."

"Did Huang Bingshi reply to you personally? How is his mood?"

"He is not a young boy. He scolded King Fu for his lack of virtue in front of me. He just kept asking our family to come back to Beijing to make things harmonious for King Fu. But what's interesting is that he married his family, no? , and brought Prince Fu’s in-laws to me to pour out their sorrows.”

Zheng Haizhu said: "Oh? He is the father-in-law of King Fu's eldest son, King Dechang?"

"Yes, I have checked secretly. This Huang Qirui has a good personal relationship with Huang Bingshi. King Dechang's reputation is a little better than his father's, and it is also related to this Huang Qirui. The Prince's Mansion and the Huang Mansion often make soup. This time Huang Qirui came with Huang Bingshi and gave me three thousand taels of silver to buy wine for the brothers. "

The corners of Zheng Haizhu's mouth curled up: "These two Huang Gongs not only do not pretend to be powerful or bully others, but they also rarely act like people who are stupid after studying. How many businesses do they have inside and outside Luoyang City?"

Wei Zhongxian was squatting in Henan Mansion, originally using the name of selecting a beauty to investigate the true status of Prince Fu's family. His relatives and the civil and military officials of the palace were also included in the secret investigation.

He answered Mrs. Zheng's question fluently: "Huang Bingshi is self-righteous and has no nepotism to make money. He only has two concubines at home to serve him. His legitimate sons and concubines stay in his hometown, under the care of his wife, and they study and pass the Jinshi. As for Huang Qirui, he does have relatives here. There are shops in the city selling brocades and paper from Shu, which do not overlap with the property of King Fu and his guards and minions."

"Sichuan? Is he from Sichuan?"

Wei Zhongxian nodded.

Zheng Haizhu played with the lid of the tea cup, thoughtfully.

Although the emperor Zhu Changluo had given her the power to get one million silver from King Fu regardless of means, like Linxuan gave her a yue, but how to use power is an art.

Zheng Haizhu asked the theater troupe to create public opinion in the capital, and asked Wei Zhongxian to bring Fang Yun, the enemy of Prince Fu and his son, to Luoyang, and to smooth the hair of the palace chief Shi in a way that scholars like, all of which were to prepare himself for the situation.

Now, after listening to Wei Zhongxian's report, Zheng Haizhu realized that Huang Qirui could also make a fuss about this line.

Maybe, while overthrowing King Fu, this sect can no longer occupy the Jianghuai salt supply, and the salt exchange and consumption of Hedong salt and Sichuan salt can get back on track.

"Old Wei, you go back to the city first, stay put, and still look at the beautiful women slowly. You only choose two every day. Anyway, we didn't go to disturb the state government, and we don't have to spend the money in the government. We, the government officials, are happy. Watch the show. If King Fu can’t hold it back anymore and starts buying women from the countryside, just do it..."

Wei Zhongxian listened to all Mrs. Zheng's instructions and said with a smile: "Madam, don't worry, when Old Wei used to make a living in the market, his voice was louder than when the imperial court fired a three-eyed blunderbuss."

Zheng Haizhu sighed: "Old Wei, I always do things with courtesy first and then attack with force. When I was in Shandong, I also gave Yan Shenggong's Mansion a chance first. Who knew they had no good intentions and insisted on forcing me to break up. This time Prince Fu did the same. So. Old Wei, tell me, how come these nobles and nobles don’t have enough room to pretend to be benevolent, righteous, propriety, wise, trustworthy, and bodhisattva-like like you and me?”

Wei Zhongxian was busy expressing his emotions on his face, but he felt funny in his heart.

Come on, auntie, if you are still benevolent, righteous, propriety, wisdom and trustworthy, and if you are still Bodhisattva-hearted, Old Wei feels that there is more bad water in your belly than me.

……

Luoyang City, spring is deep.

Huang Bingshi has been uneasy since he replied to Wei Zhongxian that King Fu refused to pay 200,000 taels.

In the first few days, Huang Qirui comforted him, saying that the father-in-law named Wei accepted the gift very simply and would not turn into a monster with just a touch of his face.

Huang Bingshi said, however, no matter what the situation in the court is now, Eunuch Wei is not a soft persimmon, and he still has to persuade Prince Fu.

He also told Huang Qishi: "King Dechang loves the princess and respects you as his father-in-law even more. You must tell him. If King Fu announces that he will go to the palace to pick a girl as a concubine, he will never go there because he is sick. This is not your old Huang. My father and daughter are too small-minded to allow new people to enter the prince's palace."

Huang Qirui nodded: "I understand, I understand."

On this day, Huang Bingshi finished his breakfast and went to the palace for duty.

As soon as the sedan turned around the street, there were waves of scoldings with a Beijing accent coming from the direction of the palace.

When Huang Bingshi got off the sedan, he saw people watching the excitement, including ordinary people, as well as wealthy businessmen and scholars in the city.

The palace guards were a little timid and did not dare to drive away. It turned out that there were many Dongchang fans with round hats, brown clothes and ocher belts inside and outside the crowd. Instead of shouting at the people, they actually encouraged them. Push your way to the front and listen.

Outside the "Wanghua Gate" at the south gate of Prince Fu's Mansion, between two majestic stone lions, Wei Zhongxian is enjoying the highlight of his life.

"Dear Luoyang elders, don't miss it if you pass by. Let's talk about the greatest sage king in the three hundred years of the Ming Dynasty. Now, the sage king lives behind our family. This mansion cost the imperial court 400,000 taels of silver. Inside. What is four hundred thousand taels? Let me tell you that the emperor only asked the Ministry of Household Affairs for a sum of one hundred thousand taels to build the three palaces."

There was a moment of exclamation in the crowd. What the commoners thought was, no matter which mansion or temple was built, this amount of tens of thousands of taels of silver was enough to feed hundreds of ordinary families in Luoyang City for ten or twenty years. .

The scholars who were wearing kerchiefs, had achieved fame, and considered official career as their goal in life, thought for a moment, and began to whisper to each other. The late emperor nodded to repair the palace. Today, he sent a eunuch with a gun to carry a gun, which means "transgression". The court Is this going to be the King of Fortune?

Wei Zhongxian is like a famous actor in an opera. After he sings his voice, he first lets the audience digest it and lifts the mood.

Then, he straightened his back more and more: "To get back to the subject, the wise king behind us lives in a house more expensive than the three palaces, so he is naturally different from other princes. Hey, this is what I want to ask, our Ming Dynasty, don't What are these princes doing? Let you know, the prince of Lu Fan digs coal, exchanges it for silver and gives some to the court; the prince of Dai Fan, he has no coal to exchange for silver, what should he do? Hey, he is the one who came out. The young and strong men of Daizong are all outside the pass to guard the country for the people of Ming Dynasty. There is also King Xin, the fifth son of Long Live Lord. Like the prince, he studied under Sun Gong, the veteran of three dynasties. What are you doing? Oh, he is so awesome, he is still in his prime, and he can already confront the two armies of Fanbang and Maozi from the west, and kill the enemy's powerful generals!"

"Okay! As a relative of the Ming Dynasty, no matter old or young, you should contribute money and efforts to our Ming Dynasty!"

“King Lu is wise, King Xin is brave!

The "sitters" arranged in advance by the fans in Dongchang cheered one after another.

Wei Zhongxian continued with a smile: "But the wise king behind us is different. King Lu digs coal and offers money, but this wise king takes the salt from the court and the money from the household department for nothing. , and also drove out all the original salt merchants in Hedong and Sichuan. On behalf of the king, they sent people to guard the military fortress outside the fortress. As for the wise king, he sent people to guard various waterways, including Si River, Jishui, Yishui, Luoshui and so on. The crossings of the Yellow River in the north are tightly guarded. What are they doing? It's just collecting money. It's a huge tax for passing merchant ships. People believe that Wang Chusheng is not afraid of tigers and dares to directly fight those thunderous foreign monkey cavalry. , As for our wise king, the old cow wants to eat young grass, and even the future niece-in-law has to compete with the nephew. "

There were bursts of laughter in the crowd.

No matter how dull the listener is, he begins to realize that the tall and powerful man in front of him, whose saliva can fly farther than ordinary storytellers, is openly and squarely fabricating a satire on Zhu Changxun, the King of Fortune.

All the high officials from the imperial court could laugh at King Fu. Why couldn't they, the common people of Luoyang, laugh?

In a joyful and peaceful atmosphere, Wei Zhongxian was about to continue his anger. Huang Bingshi, with his duty as an official responsible for protecting the land, pushed aside the crowd and came to Wei Zhongxian. After bowing his hands and saluting, he discussed with gentle words: "Eunuch, father-in-law." , This is the dignity of the prince, and the dignity of the country, father-in-law, please go back to Prince Fu first, and let me go to persuade you." "Dignity?" Wei Zhongxian's voice became louder, "I don't want to be embarrassed. , Do you want to save face? Huang Changshi, if you don’t believe what we say, go through the Imperial Palace now and take a walk around the inner palace to see if there is a little girl of thirteen or fourteen years old, and start preparing for us. Has the wise king warmed his bed?”

Huang Bingshi really didn't expect that Wei Zhongxian would speak so openly today. He couldn't help but feel angry and said sternly: "My father-in-law, how can you speak so filthy and disrespectfully to the vassal king in such a large audience?"

However, Wei Zhongxian was not annoyed and spoke eloquently: "Our family is blessed by the emperor and eats a mouthful of rice rewarded by the Long Live Lord and the Ming Dynasty. For those who don't take the court rules seriously, even the prince will not You're welcome. The prince is the foundation of the country, and the prince's selection of his concubine is a major event of the country. According to ancestral rules, during the selection of girls, girls between the ages of 13 and 16 are not allowed to marry as wives or concubines, or to be indentured as servants, or to be sold as slaves. Even Wangfu Yuefang is not allowed to recruit people as apprentices. But how did King Fu do it? Our family was still selecting people in Luoyang City, and he went to the Wangfu to recruit people. Is what the wise king did dirty?”

"You, this..." Huang Bingshi choked on his words.

"Okay, let's give the court a good scolding and feel better. Let's go back and teach the ladies the rules of the palace."

"Eunuch, don't go away, please say one more thing." Some of the people watching booed.

"Stop talking and let's go."

"My father-in-law, don't be afraid. My father-in-law is from the capital. Prince Fu dare not do anything to you."

"Hey, this young master, what you are saying is not necessarily true. From what we see, this wise king, apart from going out to fight the Tartars, there is nothing in this world that he dares not do."

People burst into laughter again. While laughing, they did not forget to cast disdainful glances at Huang Bingshi.

Especially some scribes who wear square scarves and look like they have already achieved fame. The look in their eyes seems to say: You are not as sensible and bloody as an eunuch.

Wei Zhongxian had just walked out ten or so steps in a high-spirited manner, when dozens of palace guards with weapons and swords suddenly surrounded him from both sides of Wanghua Gate.

The leader quickly stepped forward and stopped in front of Wei Zhongxian: "Please go to the palace, the prince has something to ask."

Wei Zhongxian chuckled: "What if we don't go?"

"Then don't blame me for being rude."

As soon as the captain of the guard stretched out his hand, Huang Bingshi hurriedly stepped forward, used all the strength of a scribe to hold him up, and scolded: "Don't be rude to your father-in-law."

At the same time, dozens of Dongchang fans came from all directions.

"Canglanglang..."

The white blades were flashing on both sides, and they looked tense.

The Luoyang scholars and common people who were enjoying watching the theater a moment ago suddenly screamed in shock. You pushed me to the side to dodge, and scattered like birds and beasts, for fear of becoming a fish in the pond.

The first few "shills" did not forget to shout while running: "We are going to rebel, we are going to rebel, the palace is attacking and killing the imperial officials."

After hearing these shouts, Huang Bingshi became more and more frightened. He glared at the chief of the palace guard and said, "You idiot, did you hear what the people were shouting? If you don't want to be taken to the capital by the Jin Yiwei in a few days, let the guards do it now." Let’s go back to our duty station!”

After all, the captain of the bodyguard had a military position. He knew that unlike Huang Bingshi, a civil servant, he could directly talk to the court, so it was more likely that his military men would be pulled out to take the blame.

"Then, His Highness's side..."

"I am going to see His Highness right now."

The murderous look in the captain's eyes faded slightly, he glanced at Wei Zhongxian again, and finally decided to listen to Huang Bingshi.

He raised his hand to signal, and the guards retracted their weapons as ordered.

Wei Zhongxian bowed his hands to Huang Bingshi, smiled meaningfully, and walked away with his followers.

To the west of the palace, half a mile away at Fuquan Temple, on top of the pagoda, Zheng Haizhu put down his telescope and said to the people around him: "Fortunately, Huang Changshi knows the importance."

Her response was silence.

Zheng Haizhu turned his head and looked at Huang Qirui.

She actually didn't know that in the history of another time and space, when Li Zicheng's team approached Luoyang more than ten years later, Huang Qirui, as a relative of King Fu Zhu Changxun, urged King Fu to use the wealth in the palace to reward the Ming army and recruit young men. Be strong and protect Luoyang. But King Fu refused, and finally the city of Luoyang was defeated. King Fu and more than 200 Luoyang officials and big landowners were beheaded under the city gate by the intruders.

Only after listening to Wei Zhongxian's research and secretly visiting Huang Qirui personally, Zheng Haizhu further judged that this relative's thoughts could be manipulated.

Otherwise, he would not have appeared in the temple on time today to watch the drama in front of Prince Fu's Mansion with him.

"Huang Gong, Huang Gong..." Zheng Haizhu called softly a few times, and then said in a calm tone, "Long live the meaning of the Lord and the court, have you seen clearly today?"

Huang Qirui always faced the figure of Prince Fu's Mansion and moved slightly.

"Zheng Siqing, if Huang does what you said, what will the history books write about Huang?" Huang Qirui sighed softly and asked.

"I can't write about you," Zheng Haizhu said calmly, "I can only write about King Dechang becoming the second generation of King Fu this year."

When Huang Qirui heard this, the corner of his mouth suddenly curled up, as if he felt that he was thinking too much and was a bit ridiculous.

Zheng Haizhu stared at him: "Huang Pingping also did business, and he should have figured it out by now. In fact, you will definitely make a profit in this business. But if you think about it again, don't be in a hurry."

Zheng Haizhu turned to leave. Huang Qirui gritted his teeth and finally raised his hand to the woman and said, "Huang, the plan has been decided. I will listen to the instructions of the temple minister and the court. Huang just wants to ask for one thing."

"You said."

"Huang Bingshi, he, he is a good official and should assist King Dechang."

Zheng Haizhu said: "He is a good official, and you are also a good person. I understand what you are asking for, and I promise you, Huang Changshi will definitely still be Huang Changshi of Prince Fu's Mansion."