Hong Shixing is the president of the Yanzhou Chamber of Commerce and has an unrivaled reputation in Yanzhou's four prefectures and eighteen counties.
The Hong family may not be the richest in Yanzhou Prefecture, but they are definitely the most prestigious. Hong Shixing had the reputation of being a civil servant and had been the county magistrate of Ziyang County where the government was located for more than 20 years. He officially became an official in the year of destiny.
His sons Hong Teng and Hong Jiao passed the Jinshi examination in the 41st year of Zhaowu and the second year of Yuanyou respectively. Their grandchildren also have the reputation of being a scholar and a scholar. They deserve to be known as a scholarly family and a family of officials.
This afternoon, Jia Cong, who is the deputy imperial envoy, posted a banquet for the gentry and wealthy businessmen in the city.
As soon as they received the invitation, most of the celebrities from the city gathered in the Hong Family Courtyard. Except for the Yan family, which is really not suitable for attending the banquet, and the Qu family and Qin family, who have backers, the rest are worried that this banquet will be the Hongmen Banquet.
In the end, it was Hong Shixing who knew a lot about the officials in the DPRK and China and did not have the guts to refuse Jia Cong's invitation. He also persuaded those who wanted to follow the Fengqu family and the Qin family.
He receives reports from the imperial court every month. He thinks he knows better than anyone else in Yanzhou Prefecture what kind of person Jia Cong, the royal cat, is.
To fight against this young master is to fight against the Rongguo Mansion, or more directly, to fight against His Majesty the Emperor.
Not to mention that there are noble people behind the composers and piano stands. How noble can they be as valuable as His Majesty the Emperor?
It's a pity that the food in Yanzhou Prefecture is basically...
Alas, I want to please but am unable to raise food!
The more he thought about it, the more regretful he became. Hong Shixing, who was good at observing words and expressions, saw Jia Cong's increasingly grim expression and hurriedly explained: "Your Excellency, you don't know something. It's not that we don't want to help the court, but that we are really powerless. Yanzhou Prefecture Our food has always been controlled by the Qu family and the Qin family. Even our family’s output is only enough for our own use. There are only two surnames of Qu and Qin in the food shops in Yanzhou Prefecture!"
"Yes, yes, we are also helpless. The court is short of food. I am willing to donate two hundred dan. No matter how many people in your family are there, they will be hungry."
"The common people are also willing to do their best to help. In addition to keeping enough food for their families, the common people are willing to donate all the remaining food to the adults... Oh, no, it is dedicated to the imperial court."
"I...I...my family has no food. If I raise money, I still have a lot. The most important thing my family is short of is money..."
Um?
The speaker was a chubby middle-aged man with a simple face. Seeing that everyone was offering food in a show of loyalty, his face turned red.
Jia Cong raised his hand and pressed it, and asked the man, "Who is this..."
The chubby middle-aged man was a little flattered when he saw Jia Cong turning his eyes towards him and talking to him.
"My lord, Guo Lindong, a young man, is in the ceramics business at home."
ceramics?
"Sir, the Guo family has been making porcelain and pottery for generations. It has been the only royal merchant family in Shandong since the founding of the country."
Hong Shixing's introduction made Jia Cong take a new look at this seemingly honest fat man. No wonder he dared to say that the most important thing his family lacked was money. They really didn't lack money.
Since there is no shortage of money, then...
Jia Cong coughed twice and his expression became more solemn.
He let out a long sigh: "In fact, the bank treasury of Yanzhou Prefecture has been basically emptied by corrupt officials. The prince has just reported to the court and requested the Ministry of Revenue to urgently adjust the banknotes. But you all know that the roads are blocked due to heavy snow and the canals are blocked. Frozen..."
"It's okay, sir. You can just leave the money to Xiaomin!"
When Guo Lindong heard that he wanted money, not only did he not resist at all, but he slapped his chest.
Jia Cong looked surprised. When did a businessman have such high sentiments?
"Executive officer Guo, what I am short of is not just a few hundred or a few thousand taels... Mr. Lu, how much silver do you need?"
Lu Xiaozu cupped his hands and replied: "The official's estimate is that the minimum price cannot be less than 500,000 taels of silver."
hiss!
Hong Shixing paid it back, just frowning slightly, and the others took a deep breath, five hundred thousand taels, each of them would definitely be enough to make up ten thousand taels.
On the contrary, the smile on Guo Lindong's face became even brighter. He dug into his sleeves and took out a wad of banknotes.
come out.
I saw Guo Lindong striding forward and handing over the banknote with both hands: "Sir, this is a hundred thousand taels of banknotes. I am in a hurry today, so I just brought this little. When I go back later, I will send another 400,000 taels." Come here. If five hundred thousand is not enough, I can raise another five hundred thousand taels!"
hiss!
This time even Hong Shixing took a deep breath. Everyone knew that the Guo family was rich, but they didn't expect it to be so rich.
Raising your hand is half a million, it’s not enough...
Jia Cong was shocked by Guo Lindong's generosity. After the soldiers presented the banknotes, there was a thick stack of banknotes, with the lowest denomination being one thousand taels.
"Guo Yuanwai..."
Guo Lindong held up his hands and explained: "My father said that the prince and your Excellency entertained the gentry in the city just to raise food and money. My family doesn't have food, but there is really no shortage of money. My father has a leg disease that makes him unable to walk, so he asked the common people to send money to him. In your hands."
"I have noted the loyalty of the Guo family. When I return to Beijing in the future, I will report the loyalty of the Guo family to Your Majesty."
Jia Cong did not hesitate, nodded in return and handed the banknote to Lu Xiaozu behind him. He also gave Guo Lindong a promise: "Of course, this money is a loan from the imperial court. As soon as the money from the Ministry of Household Affairs arrives, I will order someone to send it to your home..."
Guo Lindong humbly gave in, saying that Guo's family was favored by the emperor, and the money should be donated to the court for disaster relief and banditry.
Jia Cong solemnly rejected his proposal. Relieving disasters and suppressing bandits were all the obligations of the imperial court. Using the Guo family's money to do these things would indeed save the imperial court a lot of money, but it would lower the imperial court's prestige among the people.
Not much food was raised, but Guo Lindong's heroic act solved the money problem for Jia Cong, which was considered unintentional.
Hong Shixing and others had only raised more than 3,000 shi of food in total. Guo Lindong also helped by saying that they really didn't have much food, and Yanzhou Prefecture's food supply was almost controlled by Qu and Qin.
Fortunately, Jia Shiyi moved very quickly, and the army went straight to Qu and Qin's grain stores in the city. Not counting Zhuangzi outside the city, the grain stores in the city alone amounted to more than 10,000 shi of grain, which was an urgent need.
Jia Cong breathed a sigh of relief after receiving the news. He raised his teacup and thanked everyone.
Hong Shixing raised his glass in return and said to Jia Cong, "We just discussed it. Although we can't help the court with food issues, we can still contribute some money and manpower to help the court with disaster relief and banditry."
With that said, he stood up and whispered in Jia Cong's ear: "Sir, the legitimate daughter of the Qu family married in Qufu, and the Qin family has a son-in-law who is the son-in-law of Qi Cifu of the cabinet. If you want to raise food, you might as well check this The land properties of the Qu family and the Qin family have changed over the past few years..."
"I see. No wonder the Qu family and the Qin family are so arrogant."
A glint flashed in Jia Cong's eyes. Hong Shixing was worthy of having been the county magistrate for more than 20 years. In one sentence, he pointed out the background of these two families and their problems to Jia Cong.
Land property...
It seems that there is a big problem with the property of these two families!
Jia Cong originally thought that this food-raising banquet would be difficult, but he didn't expect it to be so smooth and simple.
Although only more than 3,000 dan were raised in terms of food, plus the 1,000 dan promised by the Yan family, the total was less than half of the predetermined amount.
But the money problem was solved. Except for Guo Lindong, who was first on the list, Hong Shixing and other Yanzhou gentry and wealthy businessmen submitted a list. The amount of money donated was written after each person's name.
Lu Xiaozu smiled so hard that he couldn't close his mouth. After completing the calculation, he ran to the study and reported to Liu Ke and Jia Cong: "Your Majesty, sir, not counting the banknotes given by the Guo family, the total is one hundred and twelve thousand five hundred taels." . The people of Yanzhou City are so generous, they donated at least two thousand taels of silver."
Liu Ke took the account book and looked at it. He was also shocked by the heroic deeds of the wealthy gentry and businessmen in Yanzhou. He sighed: "Before the snowstorm in the capital, the fourth brother proposed to donate to the Central Government, but the total raised was less than 30,000 taels of silver. It is not possible for people in Yanzhou City. He knows more about loyalty than the civil and military officials in the capital."
Lu Xiaozu's face turned red and he murmured: "Xiaguan also knows loyalty...Xiaguan even donated two months' salary... He is so poor. Xiaguan still rents an official residence."
"I didn't tell you!"
Liu Ke glanced at Lu Xiaozu and said,
There are not many people in this department who are not stingy, and everyone is extremely stingy after learning from Lao Pixiu.
Jia Cong smoothed things over, returned the account book to Lu Xiaozu and told him: "Mr. Lu is an upright official, and he who can donate two months' salary is of course a loyal minister. I would like Lieutenant General Lu to make a list of the loyal people who donated money and food today." Come out, post it, announce it, and ask someone to engrave a monument."
Lu Xiaozu's eyes flashed, and he cupped his hands and said, "My lord, it's a great idea. I'll make arrangements right away."
Dong dong dong...
The royal guards at the door knocked on the door and came in, clasping their fists and reporting: "Your Majesty, there is a man named Guo Lindong outside the government office. He has brought more than ten carriages, saying he is here to deliver money."
Because of the banditry in Yanzhou, Yanzhou's access control inspections are much stricter than before.
On the second day after the imperial envoy arrived at the government office, a large number of refugees caused by natural and man-made disasters began to gather in Yanzhou Prefecture.
Under the porridge shed built outside the city wall, the steaming hot porridge made the victims who struggled to reach Fucheng shed tears.
Maybe they all had relatives with them when they set out, but it was also a riot and it was freezing cold. Maybe they were the only ones who could survive outside the porridge shed.
Liu Ke stood on the tower and looked to the north of Yanzhou City.
The queue of refugees was very long, with no end in sight.
"How many people have been affected by the disaster? I'm afraid the food you got yesterday won't last for a few days."
Jia Cong on the side nodded. The total amount of food was less than 20,000 shi. If it were just the soldiers and civilians in the city, they could still last for ten and a half days.
But looking at the more and more victims gathering under the porridge shed, Jia Cong only made a rough estimate and could see that the situation was much worse than he expected.
"Your Majesty, my lord, I have something I don't know whether to say or not."
Liu Ke looked back at the honest Guo Lindong, suppressed his irritation and nodded: "Let's talk."
After Guo Lindong brought the money to the government office last night, he said that his father, who was a member of the household department, kicked him out of the house and asked him to follow the imperial envoy to help the imperial court suppress bandits and provide disaster relief.
When the culprits are wiped out and the victims are settled, let him go home.
So Guo Lindong lived in the government office and helped Lu Xiaozu raise money and food, settle accounts, and organize people to set up porridge sheds...
I have to say that despite looking at this honest fat man, he is really a good hand at doing these things. The people sent by Hong Shixing and others to help did not make any mistakes under his command, which can be regarded as a great help to Lu Xiaozu.
Just listen to Guo Lindong say: "I don't dare to say it in other places. The people in Yanzhou's states and counties are still very familiar with it. Normally, the prince and the adults have only been in Yanzhou for just two days. It is impossible for the victims to know that the imperial envoy has arrived in Yanzhou City so quickly. What's more, Not to mention that so many victims gathered on the second day after the prince arrived in Yanzhou. This is not normal."
"So, someone did this deliberately!"
Of course Liu Ke and Jia Cong were aware of this problem, but no matter what the reason was, when the victims learned of the imperial envoy's arrival in Yanzhou, they had to find ways to provide relief.
Jia Cong couldn't help but smile bitterly: "No matter what the reason is, the court cannot leave the victims alone."
Guo Lindong hurriedly shook his head and replied: "Of course Xiaomin does not mean to ignore the victims. Xiaomin has a suggestion that is not very mature. It is better to separate the victims. The young and strong should go to the old, weak and young to dredge the rivers and build city defenses. It is best to be able to They are far away from the important areas of the city. The old and weak women live close to the city and are supported by the court."
Cash-for-work?
It coincides with Jia Cong's idea. There are more and more victims gathering under the city wall of Fucheng. No one can guarantee whether there will be White Lotus Sect gangsters among them. It is too much to let them gather outside Fucheng like this. It's dangerous.
Liu Ke turned his attention to Jia Cong and asked Jia Cong's opinion.
Jia Cong nodded and said: "Guo Yuanwai is right. We can't let the victims gather outside the city like this, and we can't let them idle. Problems will easily occur when people are idle. We can recruit craftsmen in the name of the imperial court to smooth the flow of traffic." It doesn't matter whether it's rivers or city defenses to separate the victims. It's best to provide some wages along with food, so that the victims have hope for their future lives."
Hearing Jia Cong agree with him
Guo Lindong was extremely happy with the proposal.
His father asked him to donate his money and efforts, but he just wanted him to show his face in front of nobles and gain recognition.
"The common people think the same way. It's best to give them wages, but not all of them. Only half of them will be given during the working period, and the rest will be temporarily deposited with the government, and will be distributed to the government when everything is safe and sound."
Liu Ke thought for a moment and understood what Jia Cong and Guo Lindong meant, and a smile appeared on his face.
There will always be a solution to the food problem. Once the problem of resettling the refugees outside Yanzhou City is solved, most of the pressure on the city will be relieved.
He smiled and patted Guo Lindong on the shoulder: "Guo Lindong, you are very good!"
"This is what ordinary people should do..."
"As an imperial envoy, I now appoint you as the imperial envoy's counselor. I will tentatively appoint you to the seventh rank. You will be responsible for sorting and resettling the victims outside the city."
Liu Ke waved to the commander of his personal guards and ordered: "Go and arrange a team of personal soldiers for Counselor Guo, and obey Counselor Guo's dispatch. In these days, people who really do things are often made things difficult for them, and the people below If this embarrasses you, ask someone to tell me, and I will kill him with the Emperor's Sword!"
When Guo Lindong presented the silver yesterday, many people still didn't understand why the Guo family was so stupid. Is it really a loan when the court said it was a loan? When will the people in the government spit out the meat they eat?
But the next day, Guo Lindong was promoted to the seventh rank by King Zhongshun, who was an imperial minister, and was ordered to resettle the victims outside the city. It would be a great achievement after Yanzhou became stable in the future. He might be promoted to a higher rank and become a real court official. .
Hong Shixing slapped his thigh, feeling extremely regretful.
Old man Guo is really a cunning old woman. Why didn't he think of this?
His eldest son Hong Teng only passed the Tong Jinshi examination and is still serving as the magistrate of a small state in the southwest with no hope of promotion.
The second son, Hong Jiao, was also born as a Jinshi like Mrs. Ru. After serving two terms as county magistrate, there was no hope of promotion. He resigned and returned to his hometown. Now he is taking care of the family business with him.
To take the official road, one must either be extremely talented or become a noble person. Aren't the two people currently in the government office noble people?
"Come on, call Jiao'er!"
"Back to Master, Second Master has gone to Yan's house to visit Master Yan."
Hong Shixing responded with a hum, alas, he was confused.
Yan Hui was seriously ill. He sent his second son to visit the patient early this morning with an old Liaodong ginseng. After hearing about Guo Lindong's fate, he was so anxious that he even forgot about it.
Forget it, I’d better do it myself!
"Go and ask Madam to get five thousand taels of silver notes, prepare a car, and go to the government office!"
The Hong family is not as wealthy as the Guo family. They sound rich, but in fact they don't have a lot of money in cash.
Jia Cong looked at the banknote handed over by Hong Shixing and asked in surprise: "Old councilor, what are you doing? Didn't you just donate 5,000 taels of silver yesterday?"
Hong Shixing stood up, handed over to the north, and said plausibly: "Your Majesty, your Majesty, Hong has been an official in Yanzhou for twenty years by the emperor's grace. At present, there are natural and man-made disasters in Yanzhou, and the people are displaced. How can Hong be left behind? Today, Hong I am here to ask for your life, sir, and please grant me a certain position in order to repay my hometown!"
?Monthly ticket??Recommended ticket?
