The First Great Ancestor of the Five Dynasties

Chapter 390 Zhu Xiu, courtesy name Wencai
Jiangning, Honglu Temple.

For the Jiangning court, Honglu Temple was just an empty yamen, used to receive foreign guests only a handful of times throughout the year.

Most of the time, Honglu Temple is mainly responsible for organizing some royal ceremonial activities.

The position of Minister of Honglu Temple has been vacant for many years. Wu Shaoqing, who is in charge of daily affairs, is still part-time. His official position is that of Minister of Sinong Temple.

But this did not prevent Li Jing from allocating a large amount of money to build the huge Honglu Temple into a scene of elegant architecture in the Jiangnan water town.

On the second day after Zhu Xiu moved into Honglu Temple, Xu Xuan sent Zhu Wu's family and Wu Youdi over.

The whole family lived in this luxurious garden, with food and drink being taken care of by dedicated people. They wandered around and fished all day long, watched Pan Mei teach Zhu Wu and Zhu Liang how to practice martial arts, and chatted with Wu Youdi about daily life. In addition to not being able to take a step out of the door, He lived a leisurely life.

Li Jing spent a lot of money to repair Honglu Temple in order to show the wealth and power of the Tang Dynasty to envoys from various states.

Now it is used to house Zhu Xiu and his family, but they have taken advantage in vain.

Honglu Temple, Lotus Garden, in the lotus pavilion in the center of the pool.

The clear pool water is ruffled by the wind, the green lotus leaves are swaying gently in the wind, the sun is shining, and the water surface is sparkling.

The afternoon was leisurely, with Zhu Xiu holding Da Ya in her arms, and others sitting around on both sides, chatting away.

Daya curled up in Zhu Xiu's arms and fell asleep soundly. Zhu Liang propped up his head and lay on Wu Youdi's lap, his head clicking like a chicken pecking at rice.

"So, the imperial court has spies lurking in Jiangning?" Pan Meiniu's eyes widened.

Zhu Xiu gently wiped the sweat on Daya's forehead and said with a smile: "Don't forget, the official has a Wangyundu army. No one knows how many people there are in this army.

After the founding of the Guan family, Wangyundu disappeared out of thin air. According to my guess, it should have been merged into the Wude Division and reorganized with the Wude Division.

Wang Lingwen, the military envoy, had a deep friendship with the officials. Since he was appointed as the military envoy, Mr. Wang's whereabouts have become erratic. The government and the public only know his name but never see his person.

I had seen a detailed defense plan of Jiangning in the official imperial records before, and I guessed that there was probably a secret agent from Wude Division stationed here.

We made a big mess in Jiangning City, and there is no way Wu Desi didn't know about it.

I just don’t know how the officials will react after receiving the secret report.”

Pan Mei gloated: "With the official's temper, how else can I react? Of course I'll scold you, and then I'll kick you a few times when you get back~~"

Zhu Xiu spread her hands: "The officials will never leave me alone. If you want to kick me, you have to send someone to rescue me first!"

Pan Mei hugged her arms, shook her head and said, "It's hard for me! It's hard for Li Hongji alone. That bitch threatened to chop us into pieces and throw them into the river to feed the fish."

Zhu Xiudao: "As long as Li Jing doesn't let go, it won't be easy for Li Hongji to harm us. Just be prepared for them to do it secretly.

Hu Guangyue, from today on, the alert level has been raised to level A. We, the people, must carefully screen everything we eat, drink, live, and travel, especially our diet, to ensure safety. "

Hu Guangyue clasped his fists and said solemnly: "Don't worry, Lord Marquis, Xu Shangshu sent the brothers from the fifth capital to Honglu Temple in the name of Xu Mansion's servants. Now the people serving around us have all been replaced by our own people, so our daily life is guaranteed to be safe!" "

Zhu Xiu smiled and said: "Mr. Xu helped a lot this time. Thanks to his generous help, otherwise our situation would definitely be ten times more difficult than it is now."

Pan Mei muttered: "Thank you for stealing 30 yuan from the Xu family. Now that I think about it, we, old Pan, feel ashamed."

Zhu Xiu stretched out his hand: "Give back the [-] yuan shared by us!"

Pan Mei shook her head without even thinking about it and said, "Dream! I saved the money for Jingzhao Mansion to station in Kaifeng to enter the Academy, and the interest is one and a half cents per month!"
In the future, I will use this money to buy land, buy a house in Kaifeng, and marry a wife! "

Zhu Xiu raised her middle fingers at him unceremoniously.

Pan Mei roughly knew the meaning of this gesture, and she knew she was wrong, so she curled her lips and did not argue.

Wu Youdi said worriedly: "I don't dare to save money in the government. If it is embezzled, I don't know who to complain to!"

Zhu Wu also said: "Merchants who do business in Banqiao store dare not deposit money with the government. Not only are the procedures cumbersome, they also have to charge a large sum of money for Taiwan coupons. Sometimes the local government offices find excuses not to recognize the coupons." , ordinary people have nothing to do.”

Pan Mei pointed at Zhu Xiu and said: "Don't be afraid! Those officials in Kaifeng Mansion don't dare to take the money of Lord Zhu even if they want anyone's money! Who doesn't know that Lord Zhu has many friends and great face? If he accuses the officials, he will Make sure they can’t eat and walk around!”

Zhu Xiu said with a smile: "You used my name to save money?" Pan Mei said matter-of-factly: "Of course! As soon as I mentioned the name of the founding lord of Dingyuan County, those guys laughed so hard that they made me sick!"

Wu Youdi, Zhu Wu, and Yang Qiaolian looked at Zhu Xiu in amazement.

Zhu Liang's eyes were shining, and the image of his little uncle in his mind was becoming more and more majestic.

Zhu Xiu just smiled and fell into deep thought.

The business of flying money has a long history. It probably appeared among the people during the Yuanhe period of Emperor Xianzong of the Tang Dynasty. It has been nearly 150 years since then.

To be precise, Feiqian is not a currency, but a kind of bill endorsed by the credit of the government and merchants. It is a kind of exchange business.

Its function is, firstly, to restrict the circulation of coins in the region, and secondly, to facilitate merchants to traffic goods, conduct bulk cargo transactions, and promote commercial circulation.

However, after a long period of war, the private market economy was seriously damaged, the credibility of the government was greatly reduced, and the overall social order was affected. It often happened that the government borrowed money to make money. When merchants took the tickets to withdraw physical coins, the government used various forms of money to collect money. An excuse for delay, denial, and ink.

The good copper coins that were originally sold as ten coins were deposited as cheap money, but when they were withdrawn, they could only be exchanged for the bad and cheap coins that were sold as five coins or two coins.

Over time, the flying money exchange business run by the government has completely lost credibility among the people.

On the contrary, the flying money business opened by some wealthy businessmen and aristocratic families in their own shops is very popular, and their credit is relatively good.

However, this kind of private flying money is easily affected by war, as well as the operating conditions of major businesses. There are many uncertain factors and high risks.

This has caused great inconvenience to the long-distance transportation of bulk commercial goods.

If given the opportunity, Zhu Xiu would like to suggest that Guo Wei set up a real money shop in the name of the imperial court and specialize in the circulation of coins.
Wu Youdi took Zhu Xiu's hand and said worriedly: "Brother Xiu, it really can't be done. Let's admit our mistake, kowtow to the prince and apologize, and beg him to let our family live."
There is food and drink in this place, and the room is spacious. Even the mattresses for sleeping are made of silk. The flowers and plants look beautiful, but my mother is not at ease at all. The longer she lives, the more she feels uneasy~~~"

Wu Youdi sighed: "If the prince is really angry and insists on killing someone to vent his anger, you can hand your mother over and let him kill me. My old lady is of no use. There are only a handful of bones left after death. You two brothers can pick up two and take them back to Hao." State, just find a place to bury it.”

"Mother! What are you talking about?" Zhu Wu was in a hurry, "It's not easy for us to reunite as a family, and the good-for-nothing can die? Let me tell you, if the prince insists on killing brother Xiu, let's go with him." Fight hard! I will have someone to support me even if I die!"

"Yes! Let's fight!" Yang Qiaolian also expressed her stance firmly.

Zhu Xiu hurriedly laughed and said, "You don't have to worry, Lord Tang is a smart man, he won't take my life easily!"

Zhu Wu scratched his head, his face full of confusion: "Why? He is the emperor, and he will lose his head if he says a word!"

Zhu Xiu explained: "I am a minister of the Great Zhou Dynasty. The Lord of Zhou Qin granted him the title of Marquis of the founding of the country. I also serve as the Deputy Envoy of the Huai Army. I am also considered a high official. If the Lord of the Tang Dynasty kills me, it will easily provoke border disputes between the two countries and make the war more intense." Burn.

The Tang State is now sending all its troops to Southern Chu and cannot spare any troops in Huainan. According to the temperament of the Lord of the Tang Dynasty, he will not easily build a grudge against our dynasty.

But one thing is very important. I am only going south to find my relatives. What I did has nothing to do with the official family of our court. Whether it is breaking into Jujingyuan or kidnapping the prince, it is all my own decision and it has nothing to do with the Zhou Dynasty court.

You must keep this in mind, and no matter who comes to ask, you will bite them to death.

In order to prevent the Tang court from making a fuss about this matter and ruining the reputation of our officials. "

Zhu Wu, Wu Youdi, and Yang Qiaolian nodded in understanding, keeping Zhu Xiu's words in mind.

Zhu Xiu then told Hu Guangyue: "Recently, there will be many strange faces inside and outside Honglu Temple. Some are spies sent by the Tang Dynasty court, some are people from Li Hongji and Song Qiqiu, and some may be our own people from Kaifeng Wude Division." , you should pay attention to distinguish.”

"My subordinate understands."

Zhu Xiu shook his arm, which was sore from Zhu Fang's pressure, and said with a smile: "Mr. Xu said he wanted to introduce Han Xizai to me. Just in time, Master Han, please give me a word."

Wu Youdi hesitated for a moment and said, "Brother Xiu, actually before your father died, he asked Blind Man Wang, a fortune teller in the county, to pick out a word for you, saying that it would be useful when you get a good name and become an official in the future."

"Ah?" Zhu Xiu was stunned, "What's your name?"

Wu Youdi thought about it and said with certainty: "Wencai! Zhu Wencai!"

Zhu Xiu twitched the corners of her mouth and her face turned a little dark.

Pan Mei laughed loudly, and patted him on the shoulder: "Zhu Wencai! What a good word! It matches you very well! Hahaha~"

(End of this chapter)