Reborn in the last years of Kangxi

Chapter 602

This night, Cao Yong felt a little uncomfortable.

Until the next morning, when he got up and changed his clothes, his face was still a little embarrassing.

Chu Yu wanted to comfort Cao Yong with a few words, but it was not easy to mention this first, so she just acted like an ordinary person, serving Cao Yong and changing into an official uniform.

On the first day of February, this was the time for the Great Court Meeting. Thanks to Tang Quan's stay, Cao Yong and his son did not have to get up early.

After all, it is about the dignity of a man, Cao Yong lost his appetite when he looked at the table full of pasta and side dishes.

I just felt that the taste was like chewing wax. After eating two bean paste buns indiscriminately, Cao Yong put down his chopsticks.

Seeing this, Chu Yu took the teacup from the servant girl and sent it to Cao Yong.

Cao Yong took it, rinsed his mouth, took a look at Chuyu, and said in a low voice: "I'm really tired these few days, and I went to Tangquan Palace a while ago, and I didn't come back until midnight. Yesterday was bad again. I wake up when the light is on, and my body feels tight."

When Chu Yu heard this, a look of self-reproach appeared on her face, and she said, "It's all my fault, I should have thought about making some tonics for my forehead."

Cao Yong felt uncomfortable at first, and when he heard the word "tonic", he felt even more uncomfortable. He quickly waved his hands and said, "If you are not sick or disaster, what tonic should you take? Don't worry about it, I will be fine after two days of rest."

When Chu Yu heard the words, she didn't say any more.

In the past few days, Cao Yong led people to work directly in the warehouse on the side of Dongjiang Mi Lane.The yamen of the Ministry of Rites where Cao Yin is located is also there.Therefore, when Cao Yong left Wutongyuan, he went to Lanyuan and left the mansion with his father.

If it were another yamen, the master would live in the yamen.

The House of Internal Affairs belongs to the palace. Jiang Jian and Li Wei go to the Yamen with Wei Hei, Zheng Hu and others every day.

The two of them were both stout and strong. They looked valiant and high-spirited. If they didn't know it, they thought Cao Yong had changed two long followers.

In addition to Jiang Jian, Cao Yin and Mr. Zhuang also found a master of money and grain for Cao Yong.People from Yangzhou, in their forties, are also well-known.Unexpectedly, on the eve of going to the museum, I received a letter from my family and went back to my hometown for the funeral.

Should have looked again, but Cao Yong saw that Jiang Jian was also good at economics and was very interested in bidding, so he didn't rush to find other people.

As for the criminal name, there are few ministers of the Ministry of Internal Affairs who directly intervene, and they are not in a hurry.At this time, Zhao Tong begged Cao Yong, claiming that he wanted to learn from Jiang Jian.

He has always been interested in the "Law of the Qing Dynasty", and he has a thorough understanding of the laws and regulations.

Cao Yong had nothing to say, and asked people to buy a lot of related books for him.For these long followers who have been with him for many years, Cao Yong is also happy to see that they are promising.

After a while, when we arrived at Dongjiang Mi Lane, Cao Yin took a sedan chair to go to the yamen of the Ministry of Rites, while Cao Yong rode a horse and took the others to the warehouse.

Wei Hei took Xiao Man and other chief guards with him, and Jiang Jian, Li Wei and Zhao Tong followed Cao Yong into the Yamen.

Yi Duli had already arrived, holding a booklet in his hand, frowning and looking at it.

Seeing Cao Yong arrived, he seemed to have found the backbone, his face became alive, and he walked over quickly: "My lord!"

Cao Yong stepped forward, nodded, and met Yi Duli.

Yi Duli looked at the booklet in his hand, hesitated for a moment, and gave the booklet to Cao Yong with both hands.

Cao Yong took it over and saw that it was a merchant registered by the Ministry of Internal Affairs to participate in the bidding.

This bidding involved several items, in addition to commercial channels, there were also some small procurement biddings.According to different bidding projects, a certain deposit must be paid in advance.

As of today, there are only seven merchants listed in this volume.Looking at the amount of deposit paid above, they are all participating in small auctions, but no one cares about a few business channels.

Yi Duli wanted to put his future on Cao Yong, but now he was a little uncertain and worried.

Cao Yong looked at the brochure, but saw a familiar brand - Tongrentang Lejia Old Shop.

At this time, Tongrentang was not popular among the many pharmacies in Beijing.Although it is well-known in the Qianmen area, the medicines used by the rich and powerful people are mostly medicines from big pharmacies in the inner city.

Only Cao Yong, who did not expect the famous Tongrentang to exist at this time, felt very kind in his heart, and even ordered his family to buy medicine from Tongrentang.

On Cao Yong's side, he made a special trip to ask people to inquire about the history of Tongrentang.The founder of Tongrentang is the father of Le Fengming, who was once a petty official in the Imperial Hospital.

Le Fengming was his third son. He had no intention of inheriting the family business. He had obtained the honor of a scholar and wanted to study and become an official.As a result, he took part in three township examinations, all of which failed in Sun Shan.

Le Fengming inherited his father's business and took over Tongrentang.

Just to buy medicines for the Cao family at Tong Ren Tang, Le Fengming even brought his son Le Li to personally pay his respects to the Cao family.

Speaking of Le Fengming and Le Li, Cao Yong turned his head, glanced at Li Wei, and said: "You Jie, the father and son of the Le family..."

Before Li Wei entered Cao's mansion, he was stranded in the capital, often hanging out at the front door, and had some friendship with Le Li.

Seeing Cao Yong's questioning, Li Wei stepped forward and said with a smile: "My lord forgot that a few days ago, the villain once said that if he wanted an invitation post, he would give it to their family. The uncle was busy in those two days, so the villain didn't go into details. Sue."

Although Li Wei downplayed it, Cao Yong also knew that the Le family and his son dared to get involved in such a thing, and Li Wei was appointed to bewitch him.

In the yamen, Cao Yong didn't say much, but he also knew that Li Wei pulled people's heads to coax people in, but he was afraid of being left alone, and he couldn't hold back his feet.

The meeting place has been prepared. To the north is a temporary high platform made of wooden planks. There are tables and chairs under it. This is the "VIP seat", and the rest are rows of wooden chairs.

The number plates are posted on the chairs, which are the positions of the bidders.

Tomorrow, in addition to officials from the Ministry of Internal Affairs coming here to preside over the bidding, two hundred green battalions will be seconded from the Infantry Metropolitan Yamen to shake the field.

This is the inner field, and it is next to the six yamen, who dares to come here to make trouble?

It's just for momentum.

"My lord, what if it's just these seven?" Yi Duli looked at the rows of wooden chairs, all of which had numbers pasted one hundred away.

Tomorrow is the first bidding for the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and it is also the first thing Cao Yong does after taking office. If there are really only seven bidding companies for this huge venue, even if they can successfully take down all the items they are concerned about, it will not be much. silver.

Back and forth, it took more than two months of work. If this happened, it would be a big joke.

Cao Yong, the head of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, even if he can't be charged with any crimes, he may not be able to convince the public in the future.

Cao Yong looked at those families, and Cui Fei from Zheng's and Prince Jane's mansions were not on the list.According to what they said before, they did not intend to give up the bidding.

Thinking about it, it's either today to pay the deposit, or tomorrow morning.

Cao Yong handed the brochure back to Yi Duli, and said: "My lord, please be calm, there is still a day and a half to go, maybe everyone is waiting and watching."

Seeing that Cao Yong was calm and relaxed, Yi Duli felt relieved, and replied with a smile: "Even if the adults say so, the officials have nothing to worry about. Although there are not many merchants, the adults on the side of Liubu are I can't sit still. Several adults have already sent their long followers over, asking about the invitation post that they might want to come here.

On Cao Yong's side, he heard the sound and knew the elegant meaning.

This so-called bidding, to put it nicely, is open, fair, and fair.

However, the Manchu Qing Dynasty under the reign of Kangxi was the peak of feudal centralization in all dynasties.

It goes without saying that the dignitaries of the Eight Banners belong to the privileged class, along with the children of the Eight Banners.

This bidding, centralized management on the surface, reduces the intermediate links of various procurements, and it seems to be able to save some money.In fact, it is the concentration of power that makes the people above find excuses to make money.

It is both famous and profitable.

Cao Yong this time, because it was a new official took office, and Brother Jiu deliberately held back, which reduced the excitement a lot.

Rao is so, this year Cao Yong received the annual gifts, but also several times in previous years.

This made him have to praise the wealth of merchants.

I heard that many bureaucrats who have made a fortune have become fat by finding a way to annex such wealthy businessmen and wealthy households.

It is for this reason.As a result, many merchants have joined the rich and powerful, seeking asylum.

The host of tomorrow's bidding is Idori.

He went to worry, holding the manuscript that had already been written, and the rest was a little nervous.

Seeing him, Cao Yong persuaded with a smile: "My lord, it's just a matter of presiding over the wine order, and the volume should be louder."

Yi Duli looked at the high platform, raised his eyebrows, and said: "Yeah, I'm so nervous, even if the seats below are full of red-capped people, what about the yellow belts? It's just for the upper court. Not to mention, there are a group of Landlord."

The two were talking, and Elder Sixteen arrived.

Looking at the registration booklet, he also frowned.

Brother Sixteen took Cao Yong to sit in a secluded place, pondered for a while, and said: "It won't work like this, or I will send people to talk to several palaces to see if they can send some slaves over. Even if they don't What, it’s good to fill up the scene. You are a young man showing your position, and there is such a big commotion when you come up, there are not one or two waiting to catch your pigtail.”

Cao Yong shook his head and said: "Master Shiliu, you don't have to. I didn't hide it from you. This is nothing more than trying to fill up the internal treasury in a short time. It is to collect money, but not for me. As long as we I have done everything that should be done, even if the auction fails, it has nothing to do with us; even if someone impeaches me before the emperor, the emperor will know my difficulties."

"If you really get to that point, you may not be able to secure your position as the manager." Brother Sixteen still couldn't hide his worry.

Cao Yong said: "It depends on the emperor whether he can be safe. As long as the emperor lets me be, I will be safe; the emperor doesn't want me to be. What's the point of being in love with this position? Others, just make two more noises." Yelling, I can’t be the master.”

The sixteenth elder brother looked at Cao Yong, remained silent for a while, and said: "If you know this, you should know the seriousness. Don't talk about others, Huang Ama will not allow you to make mistakes." Speaking of this, it has already He lowered the volume: "The more important a person is, the more picky Huang Ama will be. Fu Ruowan must not be taken lightly, remember, remember..."

*
Jiubeizi Mansion, the living room.

Brother Ba was sitting in the hall, holding a bowl of tea, staring at the calligraphy and paintings hanging opposite him in a daze.

Ninth elder brother walked in quickly, saw eighth elder brother on the seat, and said with a smile: "Oh, mynah, you are such a rare visitor. I usually make you come here, but you don't come. Why do you think of coming to see my brother early in the morning?"

The eighth elder brother saw that the button on his front vest was still unfastened, and his beard was still stained with water, so he asked, "It's already time, the ninth brother just got up?"

Brother Nine took the seat next to Brother Eight, and said with a smile: "The left and right saints are not in the palace, so don't get up early, just snooze for a while."

Seeing the blue circles under his eyes, Brother Ba couldn't help shaking his head, thinking of his light walk just now, and said: "You are not too old, you should also cherish your body."

Brother Nine smiled "hehe" and changed the subject: "What's the matter that makes myna come to the door in person? Myna, tell me quickly, my younger brother is curious."

Hearing the words, the eighth elder brother restrained his makeup, and said seriously: "Ninth brother, last time I advised you not to get involved in the affairs of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, why didn't you listen to my advice?"

"Hehe, what is this saying? My younger brother naturally listened to what Brother Ba had said. Whoever is full eats and supports me with this." Brother Jiu denied it with a sneer, but he didn't dare to look at Brother Ba.

"There are only seven registered merchants in the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and there are no hands and feet of the ninth brother?" The eighth elder brother frowned, and said: "Ninth brother, this is not the time to vent your anger, you should focus on the overall situation."

"Qijia?" Elder Brother Jiu changed his color, raised his lips and said, "I want to see, that bastard has the guts to put eye drops on me!"

The eighth elder brother saw that he was still pestering this, shook his head, and said: "Ninth brother is confused! Are you still angry at the emperor for not trapping elder brother? Who is in charge of the Ministry of Internal Affairs now, it is Xiaoliu and Xiaoshiqi. Cao Yong's The manager is not recommended, not promoted, but Huang Ama hand-picked. Even if Cao Yong makes a fuss again, Huang Ama is standing behind! You are not fighting against Cao Yong, you are challenging Huang Ama! On Huang Ama's side, it is designated to blame me for the crime." At the end of the speech, it was already a bit desolate.

Brother Jiu clenched his fists, and said in a muffled voice: "What are you doing to the myna? Even if Huang Ama blames it, I should blame my younger brother. I am really upset that I let Cao Yong, that little servant Yangzi, be rampant. I don't believe it, what a shame. If the procurement is a child's play, Cao Yong, the head of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, can still do it properly!"

The eighth elder brother waved his hand and said: "It seems that the ninth brother really can't tolerate Cao Yong, but you forgot a word. If the sky wants to kill him, he must first make him crazy. If the ninth brother really wants to deal with Cao Yong, he should It would be good to make him proud. He is not very old, but he is so highly valued by Empress Huang, not only because of his connections with the Cao family, but also because he has always acted prudently."

Brother Nine patted the table vigorously, with a very resigned face: "Could it be just let it go like this, it's really hard to swallow. It's all here in the capital, who can be foolish? Who doesn't know, the Ministry of Internal Affairs It's myna's influence. Cao Yong made a fuss, what if he didn't slap myna in the face?"

When the eighth elder brother heard the words, his heart trembled, and he looked towards the north, with pain in his eyes...

*
Outside Qianmen Street, Xuzhou Guild Hall.

Several merchants were standing restlessly in the hall of the guild hall.

After a while, I saw a young servant rushing in, panting and reporting to one person: "Master, someone came out from the Yangzhou Guild Hall..."

The man looked at each other with several other merchants, and their expressions were a little moved.

After a while, someone came back again, "Someone from the Taiyuan Guild Hall has gone to the inner city."

"South Fujian Guild Hall", "Guangzhou Guild Hall", "Luzhong Guild Hall" sent messages one by one.

Some people in the hall couldn't wait any longer, waved their hands and said, "Let's go, let's go too, don't get up early, catch an evening show..."

*
In the afternoon, I dreamed of delicious food, and I felt very happy; I clicked on the website and saw, tears, the monthly pass has been overtaken, and eating meat is not happy. Happiness is that everyone can support the monthly pass, really.

(End of this chapter)