Red Mansion: Bastards rule the roost

Just when Jia Cong was feeling proud of the prosperity of his business, he suddenly heard from the girl that an angel from the palace came and hurriedly called him into the palace to see his majesty.

Jia Cong looked at the sky. It was already dark. Why did you ask me to come into the palace? What's so important?
Although he was a little confused, he didn't dare to delay. He hurriedly changed his clothes and came out of the front hall. He saw a eunuch who was familiar with Dai Quan's staff and asked: "Eunuch, is there something urgent about your Majesty's summons this morning or evening?"

The eunuch said in a low voice: "Returning to the Marquis, His Majesty just saw the report from the Ministry of Revenue and was very angry. He said it was because of the shortage of the treasury. Please come into the palace quickly. Lord Feng is still being disciplined in the Yangxin Hall. "

Jia Cong frowned and followed him into the palace. He had some guesses in his mind. He had been farsighted and far-sighted in his actions.

Now that the examination fraud case has just passed, why is it that the state treasury is in deficit again? If these old cases are really investigated in depth, it will shake the earth.

I thought about it all the way into the palace and went to see you in the Yangxin Hall.

"Your Majesty, Jia Cong, I'd like to see you, Your Majesty." Jia Cong raised his head and saw that in addition to the bachelor on duty and several ministry officials, there were two fat men standing with grimaces. It was Feng Yuanhe. Faithful.

"Pingshen." Emperor Xifeng said calmly: "There is something urgent about calling you here at this time."

"Please give me your Majesty's orders," Jia Cong said hurriedly.

"Feng Qing, tell him." Emperor Xifeng said.

"Yes." Feng Yuan glanced at Jia Cong and said, "Recently, the Ministry of Revenue has been ordered to conduct an inventory of the national treasury's deficit over the years. It was found that embezzlement of public funds has become increasingly popular in recent years. The national treasury alone has lost more than 10 million taels of silver. All provinces have The vassal treasury doesn’t even know how many people there are.”

Jia Cong said hurriedly: "Master Feng, my family also owes money to the treasury?"

Feng Yuan nodded.

"How much is owed?" Jia Cong's heart tightened. Jia She and Jia Zhen, the grandsons, don't let me get into trouble.

"Ningrong's Second Mansion has owed the Ministry of Household Affairs a total of more than 600,000 taels over the years." Feng Yuan knew these figures very well.

Jia Cong breathed a sigh of relief, fortunately the number was not big, and said hurriedly: "Your Majesty, I am busy with my official duties, and I don't know that my family owes money to the treasury.

I will return the full amount to the household department tomorrow, please forgive me. Since I took office, I have never borrowed a penny. "

Emperor Xifeng glared at him and said: "I know that your family is rich, and I didn't ask you to come here to force you to pay back the money.

Since I came to the throne, I have always felt that I have been stretched thin and unable to perform my functions. Recently, I checked the accounts of the Ministry of Revenue and found out that the crux lies here!

Ten million! How shocking, this is more than two years of taxes from the country!

In addition, the deficits in the treasuries of various provinces are unknown. I can't imagine that it was just 'borrowed'. Over the years, it has been borrowed but not repaid, and now it has become a bottomless pit!

Could it be that the country's financial resources, the people's wealth and their support, were just lost for no reason? Do you have any good ideas? "

Huo Peng said: "Your Majesty, I believe that public funds must not be lost without reason, and must be severely recovered to rectify the national laws.

It's just that this matter has been accumulated for a long time and has become a chronic disease. Only capable officials can make a strong decision to make it happen. "

Dong Yi said: "I second the proposal. The feeling that the national treasury is in short supply has been around for a long time and is deeply rooted. The people who have borrowed the most money are all relatives of the emperor or powerful officials. They have great power and power, and it is difficult for ordinary people to shake it.

People who are not of good character, have excellent talents, and hold high positions are not qualified for the job. "

Emperor Xifeng said: "Do you have any recommendations?"

Dong Yi said: "I recommend Prince Zhongxin, Marquis Huan and Shilang Feng.

The prince is Zuo Zongzheng, who is highly respected in the clan; Marquis Huan is in charge of the royal guards and is best at detecting traitors and arresting evil; Shilang Feng is proficient in money and food and is familiar with the state of the treasury. These three are the perfect candidates. "

Only then did Jia Cong understand why Feng Yuan and Zhongxin had such grim faces. Destroying people's wealth was like killing their parents. This guy wanted to kill so many parents. Who would be willing to take on this job?

He hurriedly declined and said: "Your Majesty, my character is lacking and I am not suitable for such an important task."

Emperor Xifeng said calmly: "What's your fault?"

Jia Cong also took the risk, saying that it is better to make a small mistake than to make a big mistake. He said hurriedly: "I am lustful. Last time I went to Jiangnan, I collected more than 20 thin horses from the salt merchants. I also took the daughter-in-law of the Zhen family in Jiangnan into my house. This is a stain on my life. Although I am ashamed to speak out about it, I dare not hide it in front of the emperor."

Emperor Xifeng laughed angrily, this bastard didn't do anything when he wasn't in use, but when he was needed he would clean it up all by himself.

Huo Peng said with a smile: "What Huan Hou said is wrong. Everyone has the love for beauty. It is human nature for young people to admire her. The poem says, a graceful lady, a gentleman likes to quarrel; Gaozi said, food and sex are the nature of it." What kind of sin is that? If you say lustful, I am also lustful, but now that I am older and unable to do what I want, it is not a bad thing. "

Dong Yi smiled and said: "I also know a little bit about the affairs of the Zhen family's daughter-in-law, the Chu family. It was obvious that the eldest son of the Zhen family had lost his moral character, and the two reconciled. Marquis Huan did not dislike the Chu family, but rescued her from the sea of ​​fire. This is an act of righteousness and good deeds. Why does Marquis Huan demean himself so much?”

Jia Cong opened his mouth and said that he was really not as good as these big officials.

Feng Yuan said hurriedly: "I second my opinion, if this matter is to be accomplished, it must be done by Marquis Huan."

Zhongxin also said: "I second the proposal. I am loyal and upright, but my talents are limited. I must have the help of Marquis Huan."

They both made a calculation. Who could afford to carry such a big pot if they didn't pull Jia Cong into the water?

Jia Cong wanted to strangle the two of them to death and looked at Emperor Xifeng pitifully.

Knowing that he couldn't escape, he had to say: "Your Majesty, I thought that I was talented but not virtuous and could not bear the heavy responsibility. But after listening to what you all said, I felt that I could do it again. I am willing to charge forward for the Emperor and move forward without hesitation. Please give me an edict from your Majesty." ”

Emperor Xifeng glanced at him angrily, "Slippery!"

"In this case, a debt-clearing office will be established immediately. It will be promoted by General Huo Qing, and assisted by Zhongxin, Jia Cong, and Feng Qing. It will take three years to make up for the deficit. No matter who is involved, they will be treated equally!"

"The ministers obey the order."

Jia Cong simply gave up. It was just about collecting the debt. He really had to make up his mind to repay the debt with his life. If he didn't collect all the debt, he was afraid that there were some personal relationships that would be difficult to deal with, so it was better to ask for an order to avoid having to deal with it again. Be involved.

Because he said: "Your Majesty, I still have some questions, I don't know whether to answer them or not."

"Say." Emperor Xifeng said.

"Yes. Mr. Feng, who are the people who owe the most money now?" Jia Cong said.

Feng Yuan understood as soon as he heard it and said hurriedly: "They are the princes of the clan, Wuhou and some high officials in the court."

Jia Cong said: "Your Majesty, if these people refuse to fight back, can I use force?"

Emperor Xifeng said calmly: "You can act cheaply, but you can't act recklessly and shake the government. If you don't understand anything, just listen to Huo Qing's arrangements."

Jia Cong was confused. This sentence blocked both sides. You are doing something that will shake up the situation of the court. You want me not to shake the situation of the court? So what else am I cheaper for?
Yes, it's just asking me to make the knife again. Anyway, Huo Peng is holding it, so I just come to collect debts, and if anything goes wrong, I'll leave it to Lao Huo.

"The minister obeys the order."

After leaving the Yangxin Hall, Jia Cong quietly pulled Feng Yuan and Zhongxin away together. Now the three of them have become brothers in need, and they have to hug each other for warmth.

The three of them arrived at the nearest Prince Zhongxin's Mansion together.

"Prince, Lao Feng, which song are you singing today?" Jia Cong couldn't wait to ask in the inner study.

Feng Yuan sighed: "There is going to be a big change in the court, and I'm afraid there is another meaning behind the inventory deficit."

"What do you mean?" Jia Cong asked.

"Exclude dissidents." Feng Yuan said solemnly.

If it was said that the deficit should be settled, he would support it with both hands. The more money the household department has, the better off his life would be. But if he is asked to take charge of this matter, it will be very painful. He has to collect the accounts for the country and offend others himself. Who is smart? Dry?

Zhongxin said: "Today, Huo and Dong are urging the Qing Dynasty to retreat. I'm afraid this is their plan."

Jia Cong nodded slowly and said: "The new party has been in power for a long time, and even if it retreats, it won't be able to get back a few taels of silver. But the old party will be in misery if it doesn't have Brother Zhengfang and you guys."

Feng Yuan looked heavy and nodded.

"In addition, there are clan members. The grandfather borrowed from his son, and the son borrowed from his grandson. I don't know how much I have borrowed over the years. What should I pay back? If I force it, I'm afraid there will be big trouble." Prince Zhongxin shook his head.

"The most difficult thing is the powerful Wuhou. They hold the military power. If they are pushed into a hurry... they are afraid of something they cannot bear to say."

Jia Cong frowned and said, now he just wants to develop steadily and does not want to cause trouble. In a few years, he will summon strong ships, cannons and new musketeers. Who in the world can resist?
Both of them nodded and sighed, this move was too risky. (End of chapter)