Twenty miles southwest of the capital,
Yao Rui was driving an ox cart, followed by a dozen ragged civilians.
They are either elderly people over fifty years old or children of seven or eight years old. They look much thinner than ordinary people.
Looking far away in the direction of the capital, Yao Rui sighed slightly.
Mr. Yang was too impatient. He wanted to find a craftsman, but he chose someone who had no one to rely on.
There are too few such craftsmen!
There were not many craftsmen in Dazhou, and most of them were young and middle-aged craftsmen who could basically support themselves by working.
Only those who have suffered changes in their families or are old and infirm can meet Duke Yang's requirements.
But can he really satisfy Mr. Yang by bringing back such a group of old, weak, sick and disabled?
Three hours later, the sun set in the west.
After Yao Rui entered the capital, he handed over these craftsmen in batches to the hands of the connector.
He walked to the tea stall in Xicheng corner and ordered a pot of tea and a cake.
Just as he was about to take a rest, he suddenly heard a few beggars chatting while leaning against the city wall.
"Have you heard? Our chief minister's biological son is going to Luozhou to provide disaster relief!"
"This matter is making a big fuss, and none of you know about it. If you have any other interesting stories, let me know!"
"Other interesting things...don't mention it, but there is actually one."
The words of the bald beggar suddenly attracted the attention of several other beggars. They immediately surrounded each other and handed over half a piece of leftover pancake.
"Come on, come on, tell me!"
The bald beggar didn't mind taking the cake, and ate it in a few mouthfuls. He smacked his lips with unfinished thoughts, and then he said without any hesitation:
"There is a wealthy businessman in our capital named Shen Laosan. You should all know him, right?"
"I know him. Who doesn't know him? The famous Shen Ji Grain Store in Beijing belongs to him!"
"I also know that Shen Laosan has a nickname, called the Cuckold King. Tsk tsk, I heard that he likes to give his concubines to others to ravage..."
Speaking of this matter, the beggars suddenly became energetic. After some small talk, the bald beggar took up the topic.
"These things you are talking about are all rotten sesame and millet. Let me tell you, I accidentally overheard this matter the night before yesterday. I guarantee it will be fresh!"
"There's something you definitely don't know. Shen Laosan is going on a long trip, and it seems he's going to Luozhou as well."
"During the period of his absence, Shen Laosan gave an order that the door of Shen's Mansion must not be closed. Anyone who wants to enter the Shen's Mansion to sleep with his concubine at night can do so, but there is a condition, that is, the door of Shen's Mansion must be allowed to be closed. The servants stood aside and recorded in real time."
"For this reason, Shen Laosan specially bought many poor scholars a few days ago."
When the beggars heard the news, their eyes turned green.
"Listen to what you mean, we brothers can also take the opportunity to eat meat?"
"This Shen Laosan is having a lot of fun!"
Yao Rui was also shocked by Shen Laosan's operation.
Are all the rich people in the capital playing so liberally now?
But soon, he realized that there was something strange about it.
The whole city knew that Lin Luo was going to Luozhou to provide disaster relief.
Three hundred thousand stones of grain and grass were placed there. Why did Shen Laosan, a grain merchant, go to Luozhou?
There must be something weird about this!
Yao Rui looked stern and ignored drinking tea. He slapped a few copper coins on the table and hurried into the palace.
…
Imperial Palace, Ministry of Internal Affairs.
Yang Dong looked at the sign in his hand and was slightly absent-minded. This time he chose three low-ranking concubines, one a nobleman and two beauties.
They are all little transparent people with no sense of presence in the palace. But no matter what, she is still the emperor's woman.
What the hell is this?
These concubines, who he had never even seen before, were going to sleep with him in the Shangqing Palace tonight.
Wait, why is it the Shangqing Palace?
Isn’t it because there are too many people that it’s inappropriate to go anywhere to do things?
When he thought that the empress's study was right next to the bedroom, Yang Dong couldn't help but feel a little shaken in his heart.
Will Ji Ziyue be in the study tonight?
Just when Yang Dong was having wild thoughts, Yao Rui's urgent request for a meeting interrupted his fantasy.
"Mr. Yang, the craftsmen you requested have been gathered, but they are all old, weak, sick and disabled."
"Look..."
Yang Dong nodded slightly. Making gunpowder did not require high craftsmanship, but there was no need to be demanding.
"This matter is not a problem."
"Why are you so anxious to see me?"
Yao Rui looked serious and said seriously:
"Mr. Yang, my subordinate heard something in the outer city today and felt that there was something strange in it."
"Obviously, it is well known that Lin Luo and his wife went to Luozhou to provide disaster relief. But Shen Laosan, the owner of Shenji Grain Store, actually also went to Luozhou. My subordinates believe that this matter should be reported to Mr. Yang."
Yang Dong frowned slightly and lowered his head in thought.
A grain merchant also went to Luozhou, could it be to sell grain?
No, Lin Luo brought 300,000 stones of food and grass at once, and Luozhou would not be short of food in the short term.
In this case, why does Shen Laosan go to Luozhou?
Yes, Lin Chunqiu's old dog's plan should be here.
Thinking of this, Yang Dong looked at Yao Rui with a little more approval.
He originally just wanted to have a loyal younger brother, but he didn't expect that Yao Rui was not only loyal, but also quite sharp.
Maybe after he comes back, he can be properly cultivated.
"You did a good job in this matter, and this Guild will mark your merits."
"Go and check if there are any other grain merchants in the capital who are also planning to travel far."
"Find a way to blend in with them."
Yao Rui looked happy and nodded immediately.
Yang Dong was so kind to him, but he was unable to repay him.
Now that he finally had the opportunity, he had to do this job well no matter what!
"Don't worry, Mr. Yang. Even if I risk my life, I will definitely complete the mission you asked me to do."
After saying that, he turned around and left the Ministry of Internal Affairs, ignoring Yang Dong's astonished eyes.
Yao Rui's eyes were firm and his steps were steady. He had the aura of a strong man who would never return once the wind was rustling and the water was cold.
…
Before I knew it, the moon was three poles high.
The three harem concubines are already waiting in the bedroom of Shangqing Palace.
Yang Dong put on his dragon robe, but did not go to the palace immediately. Instead, he came to the empress's study.
In the study, a few bright lights made the entire study look like daylight.
The empress was sitting at the desk, holding a brush in her hand, and was reviewing the memorial meticulously.
The general guarded the border and sent a greeting note.
But what he said implicitly pointed out that the border was bitterly cold and the soldiers were short of food and grass.
But the empress could not transport food to the border immediately. Although she had 300,000 shi of food and grass obtained from the corruption investigation, there were floods in Luozhou and so many people were homeless. 300,000 shi of food may not be enough.
She sighed softly, feeling that being the emperor was really tiring.
When he raised his eyes, he saw Yang Dong, dressed in a dragon robe, standing in front of him.
"Xiao Dongzi, if you don't go to the palace, why did you come to my study?"
