The King of Beijing in the Red Mansion

After Shui Rong served the medicine, he came here, walked around a screen with mountains, rivers, clouds and cranes, and walked in on the wool carpet.

When the Feng family father and son in the front hall saw Shui Rong coming, they hurriedly stood up to greet him and bowed.

Shui Rong nodded slightly and looked at the middle-aged man in front of him. He saw that he was tall, more than a head taller than Shui Rong, with a full forehead and bright eyes. He looked very heroic.

Well, not bad, he has the demeanor of a military general on the battlefield.

After handing the fur coat to Yingluo, Shui Rong sat in the main seat and asked jokingly, "General Feng, how come you have time to come to the palace today?"

The "General Feng" was naturally referring to the mighty General Feng Tang. After all, Feng Ziying was still a commoner and could not be called a general.

Feng Tang listened to Shui Rong's jokes with a normal expression. He bowed and said, "My son Ziying has always been naughty. Your Majesty has taken good care of him. I am grateful and have come to pay my respects to Your Majesty."

Feng Ziying, who was standing by, looked unhappy. His father said that he was naughty, so what could he say in rebuttal? Wasn't this called a father betraying his son?

Shui Rong looked at Feng Tang with some interest. The Feng family was originally a member of the Beijing Prince's Palace, so it was not strange to call him the last general. This guy was not a pure military general either, and he spoke quite a lot of polite words.

Shui Rong understood Feng Tang's humility very well. Although the Feng family was also a family of nobility, it was far inferior to the royal palace. Moreover, the military background of the Beijing Palace, plus Shui Rong's special identity, was a double buff that far exceeded that of an ordinary royal palace.

After a pause, Shui Rong said with a smile, "Ziying is a young hero, how could he be naughty? General Feng is too harsh."

Feng Ziying was a very straightforward person, and Shui Rong admired him for that. Shui Rong asked Feng Ziying to help with some inconvenient things, and Feng Ziying did a good job, which showed that he was also capable.

Compared with the young masters of the Jia family portrayed in the original novel, Feng Ziying is a young hero. Feng Tang said that he was naughty, so Shui Rong naturally spoke up for him.

Feng Tang's face changed when he heard this. He had known for a long time that his son was close to the Prince of Beijing. This was a good thing for Feng Ziying and the Feng family, so he had already reminded Feng Ziying of this.

Seeing Shui Rong praising Feng Ziying, Feng Tang said modestly: "My son has no serious work to do. He only knows how to play all day long. Your Majesty, you are too kind to praise me."

Shui Rong didn't take it seriously. It's good to have fun. How many people want to have fun but can't do so in order to make a living!

Shui Rong immediately stopped talking, sipped his tea, and continued chatting endlessly.

Feng Tang's eyes flickered when he saw this. After a pause, he bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I came here to pay you a visit, firstly to see you, and secondly to ask the Ministry of Revenue to pay the silver that is owed."

As he spoke, Feng Tang raised his eyes to observe Shui Rong's expression, and seeing that Shui Rong was unmoved, he added: "Each family is a little at a loss, please give us some advice, Your Majesty."

Shui Rong's eyes narrowed slightly when he heard this. If it means "each family", then it would not just be the Feng family. One must know that the Beijing Prince's Mansion started out with military honors, and its old subordinates were spread all over the city. Many military heroes in the capital were among them, and the Feng family was just one of them.

Seeing that the Beijing Prince's Mansion responded to the demand for payment of the overdue silver, they guessed that they were unsure. They knew that Feng Ziying of the Feng family was quite close to the new Beijing Prince, so they asked Feng Tang to be the representative to inquire about Shui Rong's attitude.

Shui Rong groaned for a moment, then said calmly, "It has been a natural thing to pay back debts since ancient times. What else do you need to show me?"

They said they were trying to find out their attitude, but in fact they had their own plans in mind. They wanted to make it seem like they would obey Shui Rong's orders if he gave them one.

Feng Tang raised his eyebrows slightly when he heard this, as if he supported the payment of the debt.

After thinking it over again and again, Feng Tang said carefully: "Your Highness, this is true, but every family has its own difficulties. Apart from other things, my family only makes a few thousand taels of silver a year, which is barely enough to maintain the dignity of the mansion. If we pay the money owed to the Ministry of Revenue, I am afraid that the whole family will have nothing to eat next year."

Shui Rong paused after hearing that, and looked at the respectful Feng Tang intently. What bullshit instructions were he talking about? He was just here to cry poor. What? Did he want the Beijing Palace to fill the hole for you?

Feng Tang seemed to notice Shui Rong's strangeness, and hurriedly added: "But if the prince orders it, I will definitely return the money owed by the Ministry of Revenue even if I have to sell everything I have."

Shui Rong did not express his opinion immediately after hearing this. His fingers tapped lightly on the table, and he was thinking in his heart that the reason why the Beijing Prince's Mansion had a superior status was, firstly, because of its status as a royal family member, and secondly, because it started with military merits and had many old subordinates in the army, which was a political force.

Having no sword in hand and having a sword but not using it are two different concepts. The retired emperor let him be adopted by the Prince of Beijing's Mansion, which was actually a political bargaining chip for him to live a safe life. Only with the bargaining chip could he have the capital to make Emperor Yongkang treat him well. Otherwise, it would be a foolish dream to make Emperor Yongkang treat him well just by relying on the so-called blood relationship. Don't forget that he is in the royal family.

If Shui Rong wants to live peacefully as a leisurely prince, this political force must be preserved. Only in this way can he ensure that Emperor Yongkang will always treat him well.

Thinking of this, Shui Rong said, "Well, let's do this. I will ask for mercy from His Majesty. This time, each family can pay 50%. When we have more money next year, we will pay the rest. This way, His Majesty will look good and he will not refuse me."

Although Shui Rong had requested Emperor Yongkang to pay in installments, the Ministry of Revenue still demanded payment in full this time. Shui Rong did this on purpose. Otherwise, how could he show his kindness?

Feng Tang nodded slightly when he heard this. It was not that he would not pay it back, but that he would pay it back in installments. With the dignity of the Prince of Beijing's Mansion, it was not too much to ask for this grace, so he clasped his fists and said, "I understand. Thank you, Your Majesty, for your concern."

Shui Rong nodded with satisfaction upon seeing this. Apart from anything else, the attitude of the Shenwu General's Mansion was very positive.

But before Shui Rong could feel at ease, Feng Tangfu said carefully: "Your Majesty, I don't owe much. I can make up 50% of it. But I'm afraid other families are unable to help. As far as I know, the Haining Marquis' Mansion borrowed 80,000 taels from the national treasury. Even if it's 50%, it will still be 40,000 taels. I'm afraid it will be difficult to make up in a short time."

Shui Rong's face darkened when he heard this. The Haining Marquisate was also an old subordinate of the Beijing Prince's Mansion. At the beginning of the founding of the country, he was conferred the title of marquis because of his outstanding military achievements.

But the Prince of Beijing's Mansion only borrowed 50,000 taels, how dare the Marquis of Haining Mansion borrow 80,000 taels? It was really extravagant and without measure.

Shui Rong was too lazy to care about the extravagance of the Haining Marquis's mansion. He just looked serious and said, "The treasury is so expensive, how can we delay again and again? If we can't repay even 50%, how can I have the face to ask for mercy from His Majesty? You tell the Haining Marquis that I will ask for mercy. If the family does not have enough money, then you can sell the calligraphy and paintings or the farms in the mansion. If you are reluctant to part with it, I will not force you. If something happens in the future, don't come to blame me."

The Haining Marquis' Mansion must be one of them. Shui Rong said this not only to the Haining Marquis, but also to inform all his old subordinates to pay 50% of the owed silver. This is the attitude of the Beijing Prince's Mansion. As for whether you listen to it or not, it is up to them.

Feng Tang's face suddenly changed when he heard this. The calligraphy and paintings in the house were fine, but the farm in the mansion was the foundation of the mansion. If they were sold, the mansion would be completely ruined and would be ridiculed by others. From this point alone, it was clear that there was no room for turning around.

Moreover, they have always been headed by the Beijing Prince's Mansion. The prince told them not to come to him if something happened, which meant that he would just leave it alone.

When Shui Rong saw Feng Tang's expression, he knew that he understood the meaning. Since Feng Tang had spread the message, his old subordinates should also understand the meaning.

In Shui Rong's opinion, the Beijing Prince's Mansion is actually a group of people with a common interest. When there are benefits, everyone obeys orders. Once the interests are affected, their own little thoughts become rampant and they start to become selfish.

What's more, since they are taking money from them, they may have forgotten who the boss is. Besides, Shui Rong was adopted and had just inherited the title of Prince Beijing's Mansion. How many of them are truly obedient?

Shui Rong's tough attitude this time is to make them express their stance. If Beijing Prince's Mansion is the leader, then they should be obedient. But if it is just for their own interests and to find a big tree for shade, I'm sorry, Beijing Prince's Mansion will not protect you, you have to find a way out by yourself.

Shui Rong agreed to let Emperor Yongkang collect the silver owed by the Ministry of Revenue, and he had his own purpose.

In this way, Shui Rong's move was to help Emperor Yongkang and to do favors for Emperor Yongkang. It can be said that Jian was in the emperor's heart!

Secondly, he wanted to screen out those die-hards who obeyed the Beijing Prince's Palace. He knew that the group was a mixed bag, with some former members of the Beijing Prince's Palace and some fence-sitters who came here to rely on the palace because of its power. By demanding payment, he would expose their true colors. If they couldn't even pay 50% of the debt, they would definitely be teammates like pigs, so he had to split them up as soon as possible to avoid them being a burden to him in the end.

Although this move would consume the power of Prince Beijing's Mansion, this was exactly the effect Shui Rong wanted, because the power of Prince Beijing's Mansion was too large and was feared by the Emperor. So Shui Rong simply cut off one of his arms to weaken the Emperor's fear, but at the same time he had to preserve some of it as a political bargaining chip.

In a peaceful and prosperous era, too much power is actually a burden to the Beijing Prince's Mansion and Shui Rong. Moreover, the power of the Beijing Prince's Mansion is very watery. The other party depends on you but does not obey you blindly. Once they fall from power, they will sever ties with you more simply than anyone else.

If we think about it carefully, it is not the quantity of soldiers that matters but the quality. Most of those left are die-hards, which means removing the branches and keeping the trunk. Only then will the Beijing Prince's Mansion be more stable in the future.

Thinking of this, Shui Rongfu said no more and waved his hand, "Alright, General Feng, tell them what I said, and leave now!"

The choice is given to them, and the rest depends on their decision.

Seeing Shui Rong chasing people away, Feng Tang stood up, bowed, and said, "Your Majesty, I will collect 50% of the money owed and send it to the Ministry of Revenue as soon as I get back. Please rest assured, Your Majesty."

Shui Rong raised his eyes and glanced at Feng Tang when he heard that. He made up 50% of the debt. This was to show Shui Rong that the Feng family respected the Prince of Beijing's Mansion and it was very good for Shui Rong to obey their orders.

Since the Feng family has expressed their views, Shui Rong cannot remain indifferent. He said kindly: "General Feng is sensible. No wonder he has cultivated a young hero like Ziying."

Feng Tang was delighted when he heard this, and replied with a smile: "It is my honor to be praised by the prince."

Shui Rong knew that Feng Tang had more messages to convey, so he said no more and let the Feng father and son leave. He looked at their backs as they left and wondered in his heart how much prestige he, the Prince of Beijing, had!

Chapter 54: Strange Style

Imperial City, Qianqing Palace, inside the Imperial Study.

In front of the imperial desk, Emperor Yongkang, dressed in an apricot-yellow dragon robe, sat reviewing memorials. The palace maids and eunuchs standing by looked respectful, not daring to make any sound, and the scene was quiet and silent.

After a while, Emperor Yongkang, who was concentrating on the memorial, noticed the movement outside the palace. He looked over and saw the person coming. His expression eased a little and he said with a smile, "My eighth brother is here."

The person who came was Prince Zhongshun. As the right-hand man of Emperor Yongkang, he was one of the few people who could enter the imperial study without reporting in.

Prince Zhongshun held a memorial in his hand and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, I pay my respects to you."

After the ceremony, Prince Zhongshun respectfully handed over the memorial and said in a clear voice, "Brother, this is the account of the recent debts that the Ministry of Revenue has asked for payment. Please have a look at it."

The eunuch tactfully stepped forward to take it, carefully handed the memorial to Emperor Yongkang on his desk, then bowed and left.

Emperor Yongkang looked at the memorial and his expression changed slightly. The Ministry of Revenue had been urging the payment of overdue silver for more than a month. He knew that Prince Beijing's Palace had responded positively, but he was not sure about the specific effect. However, it would definitely not be too bad.

With anticipation, Emperor Yongkang picked up the memorial and began to read it. After reading the contents of the memorial, Emperor Yongkang nodded and said, "Two million taels have been paid. Not bad. It seems that Little Sixteen has made a great contribution."

According to the statistics from the Ministry of Revenue, the ministers and princes and nobles owed the national treasury about 15 million taels of silver. In the past, he had basically gotten nothing when he demanded payment. This time, he got a good return, about 15%, and this was paid in installments. By the next year, he would have nearly 30%, which was already very good and much better than he had expected. It seemed that Shui Rong was not just being perfunctory with him.

Upon hearing this, Prince Zhongshun groaned for a moment and said in a clear voice, "Brother, this time Xiao Shiliu has not only contributed a lot, but has also put in all his strength. He has strictly ordered his subordinates to pay 50%. Those who cannot pay must sell their property. There are many people selling calligraphy and silverware on the streets of Beijing now, and it is quite lively."

"Oh." Emperor Yongkang was slightly surprised when he heard this. It should be noted that Shui Rong had never paid attention to state affairs. Even if he was asked to help, he would always refuse. How could he be so hardworking?

"Then how come the debt owed is only two million taels?"

Emperor Yongkang was well aware of the power of the Beijing Prince's Mansion. Most of the nobles in the capital were related to it. If it was true as Prince Zhongshun said, how could there be only two million taels? It would probably be more than double.

Prince Zhongshun said respectfully, "My Royal Highness, you may not know that only a portion of the nobles in the capital have paid their debts, and the majority are still crying poor. There is nothing I can do."

Although they were urging the payment of overdue silver, there were many obstacles and they could not collect it by force. They could only persuade them with kind words, but the effect was minimal.

Emperor Yongkang frowned when he heard this. He understood what Prince Zhongshun meant. Prince Beijing's Mansion had expressed its position, but not many people responded. What was going on? It shouldn't be like this. Could it be that Little Sixteen was playing some tricks?

Prince Zhongshun, as a close confidant of Emperor Yongkang, saw the emperor's gloomy expression and immediately understood that this was a relapse of suspicion. Thinking that Shui Rong was their flesh and blood brother, he explained: "Royal brother, in fact, most of the Beijing Prince's family are old subordinates who followed the old Beijing Prince and Emperor Gaozu to conquer the world. After a hundred years, the head of the family has changed. There is no so-called remembrance of old feelings. In the final analysis, it is nothing more than the Beijing Prince's family is powerful, and they thought it was good to take shelter under the big tree. Now that the big tree can no longer shelter them from the wind and rain, naturally they have different thoughts."

As he spoke, Prince Zhongshun looked up at Emperor Yongkang and said carefully, "Besides, Little Sixteen was adopted after all, and he just took over as Prince of Beijing County not long ago, how can he have prestige?"

Upon hearing this, Emperor Yongkang began to think about it. What Prince Zhongshun said did make sense. Usually, the nobles followed the Beijing Prince's Mansion, but once their interests were touched, they changed their attitude. If you think about it carefully, the Beijing Prince's Mansion's current power is somewhat superficial.

After a moment's silence, Emperor Yongkang asked, "What is Xiao Shiliu's attitude towards those nobles who don't pay their debts?"

Upon hearing this, King Zhongshun reported, "As far as I know, Xiao Shiliu has sent a message to the public that if the palace does not pay the silver owed, do not look for him if something happens in the future."

Emperor Yongkang chuckled. Judging from Shui Rong's attitude, he was abandoning all his disobedient old subordinates, which was tantamount to cutting off one's own arm.

At this time, Emperor Yongkang also realized that it was no wonder that Shui Rong, a lazy man, would take the initiative to care about the collection. It turned out that he did it on purpose. The current situation was probably just for him to see.

However, Emperor Yongkang did not blame him. After all, this situation was good for both Emperor Yongkang and Shui Rong. It was a good story of brothers being friendly and respectful to each other. The Daming Palace would also calm down.

Thinking of this, Emperor Yongkang said nothing more, waved his hand and said: "You can handle the matter of collecting the outstanding silver at the Ministry of Revenue. You can collect as much as you can, but don't push too much and make a fool of yourself."

Prince Zhongshun understood what he said. He was afraid that the fuss would be too much and would cause unnecessary trouble. Besides, Prince Beijing's Mansion had already expressed its stance, and Emperor Yongkang would look much better.

Thinking of this, King Zhongshun bowed and said, "I understand."

Emperor Yongkang nodded slightly. He was very confident that Prince Zhongshun was doing the job.

"Heaven and Earth", Qian Yue lives.

There were blazing charcoal braziers in all four corners of the room to drive away the winter chill.

Du Yuejiao held the wine in her bare hands. She was wearing a light orange-red long skirt that covered her cleavage, leaving only a bit of her white neck exposed.

It is winter after all. If it is too cold, the body will not be able to bear it even with a charcoal basin.

However, Shui Rong still felt that the girl looked better in the cool outfit.

Du Yuejiao and Shui Rong poured a cup of hot wine, looked at the seated Shui Rong with a smile, and couldn't help but ask curiously: "Why do you have time to come to my place today, young master?"

Generally speaking, Shui Rong seldom comes to "Heaven on Earth", so her sudden visit today made her a little surprised and happy.

Shui Rong picked up the wine cup and took a sip. A warm current passed through his stomach and his body became warm.

Facing Du Yuejiao's inquiry, Shui Rong did not answer immediately. Regarding the Ministry of Revenue's demand for payment of outstanding silver, he knew that about one-third of the former staff of Prince Beijing's Mansion had responded, which was enough, so he did not pay much attention to it. He had been staying in the palace recently, and it became boring after a long time, so he sent someone to invite Feng Ziying to come here for a drink and listen to music.

And you've seen so many gentle and lovely ones, so take a look at this peculiar and charming little girl.

Of course, Shui Rong would not say this explicitly, so he said casually: "I have nothing to do, so I made an appointment with Ziying to have a drink and listen to music. I'll trouble Miss Du to arrange something, and I'll pay for the tea and water."