Uncle from a poor family

Chapter 211 The evil wind is back again (Subscribe please)
After sending Wei Tai away, Wei Xing was obviously panicked.

"It's not easy to make ten telescopes in a month. And what about Huangshan mica? It just sounds ridiculous...Eunuch Liang, what do you think he means?"

Wei Xing's voice even changed.

Liang Fang gnashed her teeth and said, "Isn't this obvious enough? Qin Chang has calculated that our family is going to be in trouble, so he is trying to add insult to injury and make us obey him!"

Wei Xing frowned and said, "Where does he get the courage? When Huai En was here, he didn't even dare to fart!"

Liang Fang was furious: "Didn't you hear what Wei Tai said? Qin Chang is now the head of the Imperial Household Department and the Minister of Internal Affairs. This means that all of us eunuchs have to be decided by him! Isn't this just adding insult to injury?"

"but……"

Wei Xing wanted to say, after all, people have told you that the thing is made of Huangshan mica, can't you just go find the materials and make it?
"How many Huizhou merchants in Beijing have dealings with us?" Liang Fang asked, changing the subject.

Wei Xing looked embarrassed: "In fact, there are not many. I believe you also know that the best business now is salt trading, and the accumulated salt is occupied by our people. Most of the Hui merchants keep their shares, and some even have permanent shares... In the past two years, because of the salt business, Hui merchants have basically stopped dealing with us."

The Ming Dynasty's salt policy had basically collapsed by the end of the Chenghua period.

It was said that salt permits could be obtained by sending grain to the northwest front, but even if the salt permits were obtained, it would become a big problem when going to the salt field to get salt.

The salt produced by the salt fields must be withdrawn first by the powerful and wealthy. Even if they do not withdraw it, it will be reserved as salt and will be withdrawn later.

Even if ordinary merchants had salt permits, they could not withdraw salt and could only wait outside the salt field, which was called "holding the permit". Salt permits that could not be withdrawn for more than ten years were called "changing the permit".

The root cause of all this, in addition to the arbitrary encroachment of the powerful and wealthy, is the indiscriminate issuance of salt permits.

Logically speaking, there is one person for each job, and salt permits should be issued in proportion to the amount of grain transported to the northwest front. There would not be a situation where one has a salt permit but cannot get salt. However, the purpose of the government printing salt permits is to obtain more grain and gain more benefits. Naturally, the relevant government offices will not sit on a mountain of gold and silver and do things according to the usual practice.

The salt vouchers representing the grain-opening system and the Ming treasure notes based on copper coins basically all gradually went towards complete defeat during the Chenghua period.

Liang Fang said, "It seems that the merchants from Huizhou are trying to trick us by borrowing tribute. They are so bold! Find out who got the Huangshan mica and what happened to the telescope!"

"Yes."

Wei Xing first accepted the order, then made an analysis, "Based on the current situation, the most likely ones are the big salt dealers. They want to stand on the side of the prince and oppose the eunuch and the people in the court who occupy the stockpiled salt. This move is simply a mantis trying to stop a chariot and courting their own destruction! But at this critical juncture...should we...give way first?"

"What do you mean by that?"

Liang Fang frowned.

Wei Xing said in embarrassment: "If there is no help from Huizhou merchants, can we find Huangshan mica? Maybe they have already calculated the current situation and deliberately hid some raw materials, waiting to... negotiate with us?"

Liang Fang finally calmed down.

After thinking carefully about Wei Xing's proposal, he nodded and said, "Then do as you said. Try to find out the merchants in Huizhou who are doing big business, especially those who are dealing in salt this year. You can lead people to talk to them in person. You must find the so-called Huangshan mica!"

"The prince's side..."

Wei Xing looked embarrassed again.

What this means is, how should we deal with the prince now?

I had wanted to use the incident of tribute being stolen and illegally appropriated by officials to ask the emperor to depose the prince, but the result is that I can't even protect myself now.

Who can I talk to?
Liang Fang frowned and said thoughtfully: "The mysterious immortal thing like Huangshan Mica is just from Tan Ji's mouth, who knows whether it is true or not?
"The key now is to investigate Qin Ji's situation and find out who he is dealing with behind the scenes! Also... we must do whatever it takes to get the technology to make telescopes. If I can make hundreds or thousands of telescopes at a time, wouldn't the prince's lies be proven wrong?"

"Eunuch Liang is indeed very smart. It's just this matter... uh..."

"You want to say that we are dreaming, right? We absolutely do not believe that old man Qin Ji can find something unique in the world and present it to the prince. This thing can definitely be made by our hands and severely slap the prince in the face! If you don't believe me, just wait and see!"

……

……

At Li Zi Provincial Government.

Liang Fang came to visit unexpectedly.

Li Zisheng was reluctant to meet him at first, but Liang Fang was the benefactor who recommended him after all, and he also controlled the huge power of the Imperial Stables and could not afford to offend him easily, so he patiently invited Liang Fang into his study.

"It is truly an honor for Eunuch Liang to have you here. I have also wanted to visit you recently, but I have been too busy with government affairs to find the time. I have prepared some small gifts. It is rare for Eunuch Liang to come in person, so please take them with you when you leave."

Li Zisheng seemed to be on the right track.

When you come to my house, I will accept all the gifts you bring, and the gift I give you in return will only be more generous than what you gave me. So you can't say that I'm taking advantage of you, right?
Liang Fang said patiently, "There's no need to be polite between you and me. I think Lord Li should know what happened in the palace, right?"

"What's the matter?"

Li Zisheng opened his big innocent eyes with a curious look on his face.

Liang Fang got angry when he heard this and shouted, "Why are you pretending to be stupid in front of me? The prince has offered tribute again and tricked me. Now His Majesty has given me a time limit to make ten telescopes... I can't find a way to complete the task now, so I can only come to Lord Li for help."

Li Zisheng pretended to be enlightened and nodded, "Telescope? But it's like a long tube, can it bring distant scenes closer to the eyes? Yes, I did see Your Majesty playing with it in the Qianqing Palace, but I really don't know who presented it... Isn't it your masterpiece, Eunuch Liang?"

Liang Fang was a little dumbfounded. She didn't know whether Li Zisheng was really confused or just pretending to be confused.

But think about it, Li Zisheng today is so powerful in the court that it is not an exaggeration to say that he can cover the sky with one hand. He has a great say in the appointment and removal of officials. He can be a powerful minister and he may not know the dirty things in the palace.

Do you expect the prince to tell Li Zisheng?
Crazy!
Also, will Qin Chang and Wei Tai tell the truth?

Impossible!

Not to mention the emperor!
Liang Fang changed her aggressive attitude, and said with a bitter face, somewhat annoyed: "I thought it was a tribute from the local area, so I boasted in front of Your Majesty that I could buy it back at any time, but I didn't know..."

Li Zisheng interrupted him and asked, "Who would have thought that the crown prince would seize the opportunity to pay tribute again? Your Majesty is blaming you, Eunuch Liang, for this?"

"Ah."

Although Liang Fang didn't want to admit it, she nodded helplessly.

"Then... in this case, shouldn't Eunuch Liang report the situation to His Majesty truthfully? Given how favored Eunuch Liang has always been, His Majesty shouldn't blame him... After all, a large number of tributes have been presented, so what's missing are those one or two?"

Li Zisheng said this in a tone that showed he was enjoying the fun.

Liang Fang heard the perfunctory tone in Li Zisheng's words, and frowned, and shouted, "Just make a statement, are you going to help or not?"

Li Zisheng said with a fake smile: "Eunuch Liang, I am deeply grateful for your recommendation. But I have repaid you a lot in the past few years, right? I have placed all the officials you recommended in satisfactory positions. Now that you have encountered difficulties and come to my house, I will not turn you away, and I will even help you. But your attitude..."

Liang Fang heard that even Li Zisheng wanted to suppress him.

I cursed in my heart, you are all a bunch of mean people who curry favor with the powerful. When I am in a good position, just wait and see how I will deal with you.

"Please forgive me, Lord Li. We are very anxious, aren't we?" Liang Fang said in a humble tone.

Li Zisheng nodded and said, "I understand and deeply sympathize with Eunuch Liang's feelings. But as for this telescope, I only saw His Majesty playing with it once. Even if I want to help you... I have to spend some time to investigate the situation first."

Liang Fang bowed and said, "Lord Li has extensive connections. As long as you are willing to help, we will definitely gain something. We will be very grateful. It's getting late, so I'll take my leave first..." After saying that, she stood up.

"Eunuch Liang, can you sit for a while? Someone, come and sort out the gifts and hand them over to Eunuch Liang..."

"No need! As long as Lord Li is willing to help, it will be the best gift. After completing the task assigned by His Majesty, our family will definitely send a generous gift as a thank you. Lord Li, please keep this matter in mind and hurry up."

……

……

When Li Zisheng returned to the study after seeing off the guests, Pang Qing was already waiting there.

After Li Zisheng explained the situation in general, Pang Qing frowned and asked in confusion, "He just came to ask you to help find a telescope? Why didn't he even explain the details clearly, but just gave a general introduction to the situation? With the little information he provided, how much help can we get?"

Li Zisheng sneered: "He really thinks I'm a fool! Wei Tai has already told him everything about the Huangshan mica needed to build the telescope, but he didn't mention it to me this time. It's obvious that he is afraid that I know the materials needed for the telescope, so he asked someone to cut off his raw material channels in advance, leaving him with nothing to hand over."

"what!?"

Pang Qing was very surprised and asked, "Since he wants to ask you for help, and is so cautious, can we still trust him in the matter of changing the storage?"

"I don't trust his grandma!"

Li Zisheng started cursing immediately.

Li Zisheng was also very upset at this time. He seemed to have boarded the wrong ship and was almost dragged down.

Pang Qing felt the same way: "Master Dao, please calm down. Who could have thought that the things could be found by the prince in advance? No one can be blamed for this. Otherwise, why would even His Majesty not trust his son, but rather trust a servant?"

This is to comfort Li Zisheng.

Look, when the emperor made mistakes, it’s not surprising that you, Li Zisheng, occasionally make wrong choices.

Don’t be sad, let’s clean up the old situation and start over again!

Li Zisheng seemed to suddenly remember something and asked, "Hasn't Zhang Laizhan come to your house recently?"

Pang Qing said helplessly, "Master Dao, I have something to say about this. You gave the order yourself. Not only should Zhang Laizhan be blocked, but even Shen Jingli should be turned away. You are not going to turn the tables and think that we are incompetent, are you?"

"Bah! Stop talking nonsense to me here!"

Li Zisheng rolled his eyes at Pang Qing and shouted.

"But..."

Pang Qing was not affected at all. He changed the subject and said with a smile, "Among the tributes presented by the Crown Prince to Your Majesty, there is a portion for Zhang Honglu... that is, Huang Shanhu. He even mentioned it to you personally. But I think the telescope and soap and other items should have nothing to do with Zhang Honglu, right?"

Li Zisheng sneered and said, "How can it be unrelated? The things were brought to the palace by Qin Ji. How could I not know how much Qin Ji weighed?
"Since Zhang Laizhan and Tan Ji have had dealings before, I think this matter is most likely related to Zhang Laizhan! Otherwise, who has such omnipotent abilities?"

Pang Qing nodded slightly, and then asked casually: "Then... Taoist, who are you helping now? The prince? Or Eunuch Liang? You are not really planning to help Eunuch Liang build a telescope to help him out, are you? From what I have seen, the evil wind in the palace seems to have returned again, we need to make plans early!"

"you……"

Li Zisheng was stunned for a moment.

Then he glared at Pang Qing with a vicious look, as if to say, You are really bringing up something that is not relevant. You are really rude!

Don’t hit people in the face, you know?

Damn it, I helped the Crown Prince to successfully overcome the crisis before, and everyone thought I was on the Crown Prince's side. Then I changed my mind and prepared to help Liang Fang to promote the plan of changing the Crown Prince, but now I have to turn around again when I see that the wind is blowing in the wrong direction...

Are you mocking me for being a fence-sitter?

Li Zisheng became angrier and angrier as he thought about it. He slammed the table and said viciously, "I won't help anyone! Who knows where the evil wind will blow in the future? This matter has nothing to do with me!
"If Liang comes to my house again next time, I will say that I am stupid and can't do anything about it! Humph, let's see what he can do to me!"

……

……

Zhang family.

Zhang Luan did not go out that day. He stayed in the yard at home to cultivate his mind and relax himself.

There was a table beside him with a teapot and teacups on it. Zhang Luan lay leisurely on a bamboo lounge chair, covering his face with a book, basking in the spring sunshine while drinking tea and enjoying the comfort.

Zhang Yanling was amazed to see how his cheap father was sitting when he went out in the morning and how he was still sitting in the same position when he came back.

"Come here, come here."

When Zhang Luan heard the familiar footsteps, he took off the book that was covering his face, asked Zhang Yanling to sit on the chair next to him, and as a father he actually poured a cup of tea for his son.

Zhang Yanling didn't appreciate it, and held his stomach and said, "Dad, can you wait until I go to the toilet and come back before I tell you the details? I've been holding it in for almost a day."

Zhang Luan scolded him, "You are such a loser that you don't even know how to find a toilet before going out? I don't know how many times I've been there today..."

Zhang Yanling thought to himself, it has to be you.

Drinking tea in your own yard and guzzling water into your stomach is not a pleasure at all; it's simply a violation of your bladder.

After Zhang Yanling finished his work and came back to sit across from him, Zhang Luan said, "Son, I'm also curious. You said you had already presented the telescope, but why has there been no movement outside these two days? Do you want to go to Eunuch Tan to ask?"

"I'm not going!"

Zhang Yanling answered very straightforwardly.

"You kid, you are such a fool... Your father is a little worried. Is it so difficult to ask you to go and get some information?" Zhang Luan was a little anxious. "How about... your father go by himself?"

"Dad, don't be stupid. Now that the case has been exposed, the mansion of Eunuch Qin must be under constant surveillance. If you go to his mansion casually and Liang Fang's accomplices find out, you will be in trouble."

At this time, Zhang Yanling finally understood the purpose of his old father calling him, and hurriedly spoke out to stop him.

Zhang Luan pursed his lips and asked, "This case and that case, aren't they just a few telescopes? It's not as serious as you say, right? And you say this matter concerns the crown prince's position as heir, is it possible... that we are taking that thing too seriously?"

"hehe."

Zhang Yanling smiled with a look of disdain.

Although my father was born into a scholar family and had a certain level of knowledge, he lacked political experience and had no idea how dangerous party struggles were. It was a life-and-death fight with no room for maneuver.

After all, my dad is an optimist who always wants to take shortcuts. No matter how much I explain to him, it's useless.

Seeing his son like this, Zhang Luan was furious and wanted to scold him to let him know what it means to respect the elderly and love the young. Unfortunately, Zhang Yanling had already stood up and ran away.

Zhang Luan couldn't help but shook his head, his face full of helplessness.

(End of this chapter)