"What Aiqing said makes sense." Li Wanjiang hesitated slightly after hearing Zhao Yu's suggestion, "It's just something I did myself, and it wouldn't be appropriate for others to bear it, right?"
But I didn’t say it wouldn’t work.
"If I am not from the Fengyang Mansion, I am willing to take on this matter for the emperor. This is a great honor." Zhao Yu glanced at Xiao Chen intentionally or unintentionally, "But this matter is so important that ordinary people cannot bear it. In the end, It's good for princes and ministers to calm public opinion and support people like this. After all, the case is quite big and even ordinary people can't suppress it."
"Your Majesty, will you let me take the responsibility?" In fact, there was no need for Zhao Yu to hint, Xiao Chen himself felt that he was the most suitable candidate.
Because this thing looks very much like what he did. He is young and energetic, jealous of evil, bold, motivated, and reckless...
In addition, he has too many merits, which is not a good thing in the first place. Now that he is charged with a crime, it can be offset for a while.
This crime can be major or minor, suppressed or exaggerated. You can impeach him now or impeach him later. In short, it is a trace that is difficult to erase.
It's as if a little black ink has been splashed on his golden merit list, making it particularly pleasing to everyone's eyes...
It's the best of both worlds.
"Oh? Are you willing to take the responsibility for me, my dear?" Li Wanjiang was indeed very happy.
"Master Xiao took your worries away from you, I really admire you!" Zhao Yu smashed Xiao Chen's porcelain into pieces with a hammer, and then he could close the case.
"I am willing." Xiao Chen said hurriedly.
"Yes." Li Wanjiang was happy, "Then let the two beloved ministers discuss this matter. I can rest assured that you will handle the matter."
That is to say, you still have to handle the details well. For example, Xiao Chen hadn’t come yet when the crime occurred. Besides, your portrait of the suspect has been posted all over the street. There is also an age difference between the suspect and Xiao Chen...
But fortunately, not many people have seen the emperor and Xiao Chen. Those who have never seen them don’t know what the situation is, and those who have seen them all have to pretend to be confused...
Besides, with the talents of the two beauties, it is still very easy to fool them, so you must rest assured.
The two beauties were naturally filled with gratitude, thanked the Holy Grace, and took their leave.
"The weather is not bad today. I feel very light now. I want to go out of the palace for a walk. Would any of my dear friends be willing to accompany me?" This question is super redundant. Can you not do it?
Of course, the emperor is not just going out for a casual walk, he is going to pay private visits incognito, go deep into the masses, understand the people's sentiments, and inspect hundreds of officials...
For example, last time the emperor went to visit a brothel in person, didn't he catch two ministers, Zhu Xiaochuan and Wang Anbang, who were not doing anything serious?
Although there was no punishment at the time, both of them were very frightened because they didn't know when the emperor would bring up the old matter again and settle accounts with them!
As a result, they didn't dare to go to brothels or restaurants for a long time, and the atmosphere in Fengyang City was so clear.
"Fengyang City has become a lot more prosperous in the past few years." Li Wanjiang, dressed in civilian clothes, walked at the front, with Xiao Chen on the left, Zhao Yu on the right, and three fat men, Yuan Ren and Gong Shouli, followed behind him. The guards followed further away, and these were still visible and hidden among the crowd.
"Isn't that right? The population alone has increased by more than ten times in recent years." Zhao Yu said, "I remember that when the emperor came to Beijing, there were only about 100,000 people in Fengyang City. Now there are more than 100,000 people in Fengyang City and outside the city combined. A million!”
Zhao Yu did not say that in fact, in the past two years, many wealthy and large businessmen in the city have moved away. According to rough statistics, nearly a thousand households have moved to Changshan City and Shunfeng City in Yanyun County.
I heard that the prosperity of Changshan City is not inferior to Fengyang now!
A few years ago, Changshan City only had a population of tens of thousands...
The development plan of Changshan City was also extremely strange. After the population increased significantly, they did not expand the city walls. Instead, they demolished many city defenses and even filled in the moat outside the city, allowing everyone to build buildings and houses and spread freely.
So now Changshan is basically an undefended city, and it may be the only undefended city in the world.
"After all, Fengyang City is still lively." Xiao Chen said, "No wonder Dean Shangguan insists on buying a house here."
"Oh? Is Shangguan still buying real estate in the city?" Li Wanjiang's eyes flashed slightly and he said with a smile, "It seems that he has made a fortune in the past few years since he was with you Yanyun."
"That's not true. He borrowed money from everywhere to put it together. He also borrowed 20,000 taels from me. It happened that he had borrowed all the gold that the emperor rewarded his ministers. I don't know when he can pay it back?" Xiao Chen smiled.
"Your official has done so much. Is it worth asking him to pay back the 20,000 taels of silver?" Li Wanjiang said.
"I do have some savings, but 20,000 taels is not a small amount. Why don't you want his?" Xiao Chen said with a smile, "His house is quite big, and the location is good. It's right behind the Imperial Street. I I’m thinking about buying another one for retirement use in the future.”
"Hahaha, how old are you? Why do you think of taking care of yourself when you should be helping me?" Li Wanjiang said with a smile.
"It's better to buy one first. I'm afraid I won't be able to afford it if I want to buy it in a few years." Xiao Chen said, "Not just Shangguan, many people in Yanyun have bought houses in Fengyang City, and there are many more. People from Russia, people from the Western Regions, and princes from the north also want to settle here, and they asked me to help them inquire."
"Well..." Li Wanjiang nodded and smiled, feeling quite at ease in his heart, "Since Shangguan's Huaju is nearby, let's go over and have a look. Shangguan, won't you welcome it?"
"Your Majesty, the house has just been taken over and is being repaired. It's dusty and messy inside. I'm afraid..." The fat man behind heard the Emperor calling him and hurriedly stepped forward to reply.
"Haha, just for a look, I'm not a guest, what are you afraid of?" Li Wanjiang got interested and no one could stop him.
The location of the house that Fatty bought is really good. After exiting the alley and turning around an alley, you will find the south end of Yu Street. Two streets away to the east is Gongyuan, and not far to the west is Fusi, Jinyiwei North Town. So this street Also known as Jinyi Street, one street to the west of Zhenfusi is the office of the Sixth Department, and beyond that is the Imperial City.
If it were placed now, it would be considered to be within the first ring. According to the former landlord, in the dead of night, you can hear the sound of the clock coming from the Imperial City...
Although the house is not too big, the 40,000 taels of silver are really worth it.
The fat man hired a group of masons to paint the courtyard walls and repair the roof tiles. He also temporarily hired a couple as housekeepers to help with the care and management. He was ready to pack up and rent out the house.
The location here is very good and the transportation is convenient. It must be no problem to rent for a few hundred taels a year. The fat man is also a good man who lives at home.
"Master is here?" When the steward at the door saw the fat man coming, he hurriedly ran over to say hello, and saluted Li Wanjiang, Xiao Chen and others.
This man's name is Zhou Rui. He is short, slightly fat, with small eyes, a pointed chin, and thin lips. He is neatly dressed in green clothes. He looks very smart and capable.
