Do you know: I have a different surname: Wang, uncle Minglan.

Chapter 155: Stingy Prime Minister Han Zhang, a woman blocks the way in the street
It was originally agreed that he should be the young master.

After all, the case of two kings collaborating with the enemy and treason is destined to be recorded in history.

It would be unjustifiable if the official who presided over the case was not rewarded.

But Wang Anshi had always been a local official, so why did he suddenly change his identity and become the prince's young master?

Even if Wang Anshi is to be left as the crown prince, he can't be promoted like this, right?
At the very least, we have to pay attention to some face-saving projects, right?

Of course, this has nothing to do with Wei Yuan, "I have heard about Mr. Wang's talent for a long time, so it is most suitable for him to serve as the Prince's Young Master."

The only real powerful official positions he holds now are the Chief of the Ma Army and the Minister of War.

And it’s still fourth grade to third grade.

Only the post of Honored Officer Shangguan Hujun and the soon-to-be-named Crown Prince Shaofu have higher official ranks.

But no matter what, Wei Yuan came up step by step.

Wei Yuan smiled and said, "Weren't all the gentlemen talking about him just now?"

Wei Yuan shook his head, "I still say what I said, I will do whatever your Majesty tells me to do, without any complaints."

Zhao Zhen said again: "When Wang Anshi comes to Beijing, please wait for me to greet him."

Wei Yuan continued: "Others say that it is because I have a good master that I am able to achieve my current status."

Zhao Zhen was speechless.

Unlike Wang Anshi, who was directly promoted to several ranks and became the Minister of the Ministry of Personnel and the Prince's Young Master.

"I just want to say that Your Majesty knows people well and handles them well."

Zhao Zhen smiled and said, "Your boy is the future pillar that I value, so there is no need to rush to flatter him."

"A few days ago, Wang Anshi gave me a letter and asked me to lift the sea ban."

Wei Yuan was slightly surprised.

"We discussed it before the year, and I will finalize the position of your young master. In the beginning of spring, in March, you will take the new army to the south to fight some beautiful battles for me."

"You two are both important ministers of the dynasty. Getting to know each other in advance will also help you manage the government together in the future."

This has never happened since the founding of the Zhou Dynasty.

A joke breaks away some melancholy and solemnity after the conclusion of a major case.

It can be seen that Zhao Zhen can't wait to start arranging some things.

Zhao Zhen asked curiously: "Have you heard of him?"

Wei Yuan said: "No matter how talented Wang Anshi is, he is not here. As your Majesty's personal loyal and brave uncle, I can't flatter him."

Zhao Zhen nodded, "Good Qing Wei, you still have a long way to go."

"But I know in my heart that if it weren't for Your Majesty, I wouldn't be here today. As the saying goes, the king and his ministers are father and son, and it is natural for the minister to share the worries of the king."

Wei Yuan bowed solemnly, "Your Majesty, please rest assured."

Zhao Zhen said seriously: "Wei Qing, I asked you to preside over the case of two kings collaborating with the enemy. What do you think?"

Want me to welcome Wang Anshi to Beijing?
Your Majesty, what does this mean?
The future ministers of Hugu will probably be the future pair of Han Zhang and Zhang Fu.

The emperor issued an order, and Wei Yuan had to obey it.

The next day.

Zhao Zhen issued an edict to inform the world.

The evidence of the two kings collaborating with the enemy is conclusive.

Seventy-two officials and countless merchants were involved in the offence. More than thirty of them were executed, and more than 1,400 officials and their family members were exiled.

Including the residences of the two princes, the confiscated property was equivalent to nearly 70 million taels of silver.

It is equivalent to one year’s fiscal revenue in Great Week.

Of course, the silver here refers to the comprehensive income from the confiscation of homes, including but not limited to antiques, calligraphy and paintings, silk, grain, property, land deeds, etc. If calculated carefully, it is impossible to get 70 million taels.

This was just an account that the court kept openly visible to the people. Behind the scenes, Zhao Zhen did not know how much he had taken.

All in all, the money that was revealed will be handed over to the Ministry of Household Affairs, and the money that was not revealed will belong to Zhao Zhen.

In other words, the country has money.

After this battle, not only did they make up for the money lost during the military campaigns in the past few years, but they even had a surplus.

Zhao Zhen can also do some things that he usually wants to do but dare not do.

As soon as the imperial court had money, Wei Yuan was not idle, and immediately began to train the new army nervously.

Moreover, as the right minister of the Ministry of War, he wrote to Zhao Zhen, hoping to replace a batch of swords and armor.

When the boy arrived at Zhongshu Province, he was detained by Han Zhang.

Wei Yuan was puzzled, so he went to reason.
"Mr. Han, the new army should look like a new army. Go and take a look at the Danglu army. Most of their armors are worn out. Even some of their bows and crossbows are rusty. How can we talk about a new army?"

Han Zhang refused to pay, "General Wei, although you have done a great job in handling the case, if everyone is like you, one person will come to me for money today because of this matter, and tomorrow they will come to me for that matter."

"By then, no matter how much money the court has, it will be spent by you."

"Nowadays, the country is in dire straits and needs to be revitalized. Money is everywhere. Let's wait until the national treasury is full before we can talk about replacing weapons."

Wei Yuan said: "I don't want much, not one million, not five hundred thousand taels, just five hundred thousand taels."

"As long as we can replace a batch of armors, as for the bows and arrows, I will find a way."

Han Zhang shook his head and said, "No."

"If General Wei doesn't want military spending for the coming year, I can think of a way."

Wei Yuan said: "It's not in line with the rules for you to suppress me, Zha Zi, isn't it? Will Prime Minister Han be willing to let go only if we really have to make trouble in front of His Majesty?"

Han Zhang said: "I have indeed not presented your letter to Your Majesty, but I have told Your Majesty what you mean."

"His Majesty said that we should focus on where the court currently needs money and let the Prime Minister take care of it."

Do you think we can do it?
Wei Yuan took a deep breath and said, "Then just do what you want!"

"If the new army misses training because of this matter, we will go back to His Majesty to reason!"

Finally, Han Zhang saw Wei Yuan's ability with words and allocated 300,000 taels of silver to the new army.

It's better to have it than not.

Wei Yuan wants to use these 300,000 taels of silver to train a special forces team suitable for this era.

The number of people should not be too large, about three hundred people are enough.

And this team will appear in the army in the form of Zhongyongbo's personal escort.

Anyway, there is no way for him to spend his own money to form such a team.

After all the hard talk, three hundred thousand taels of silver were squeezed out of Han Zhang's teeth. These days, nothing can be done without money.

Wei Yuan thought that it was because Han Zhang had a prejudice against him that he was like this.

However, before he left Zhongshu Province, he saw an official from the Ministry of Industry coming over, saying that he needed money to build the imperial mausoleum.

Han Zhang refused without saying a word.

"There has been heavy rain in the past few days, and the embankments in various places are in danger of bursting. Once this matter is over, we will finalize several major expenditures and allocate money to you to repair the imperial mausoleum."

Hearing this, Wei Yuan's arrogance was mostly gone.

Yu Gong said that in the entire Zhou Dynasty, there was indeed no one more suitable to be prime minister than Han Zhang.
-
The big case is over.

Wei Yuan heard from several people from the Imperial City Department.

There is a rumor circulating among the people recently.

It is said that the two kings and some officials, merchants, etc. involved were not guilty of collaborating with the enemy and treason.

At most, it is a crime of corruption and bribery.

The imperial court had to form a new army and amend the Salt Law. There was money everywhere.

But the tax situation in recent years has really not been good.

I had no choice but to build a big prison and make some money.

Wei Yuan had to admit that any rumors were definitely not groundless.

Anyway, after this battle, the pockets of the imperial court and Zhao Zhen were bulging.

Whenever those in power in the past dynasties were short of money, they usually got it from three sources: one from officials, two from merchants, and three from the common people.

Competing with the people for profit, using the people's money, and imposing taxes is the way to end the dynasty and the way to death.

Zhao Zhen definitely doesn't want to do it.

However, targeting the two royal parties will not only gain money, but also give the court a chance to breathe.

It can also eliminate some hidden dangers and protect the country's crown prince. It can be said to be done once and for all. Why not do it?

Just when Wei Yuan left Zhongshu Province and was about to return home to rest.

But he saw a dilapidated carriage with the words 'Taichang Temple' printed on it parked in front of him on the street outside the imperial city.

Wei Yuan didn't care.

Taichang Temple must give up the chariot of Zhongyongbo's residence.

But the other party did not give in. Wei Yuan didn't know what he meant, so he asked someone to come forward and ask.

But inside the carriage, a woman opened the curtain, and she slowly said:

"My little lady took the liberty of coming here today to thank you, General Wei, for sending the letter."

(End of this chapter)