In the Shangshutai, Zuopu Sheguan's mansion is still crowded with people.
Liu Muzhi's face was a little haggard, and he coughed once or twice from time to time, but he still listened, dictated, and wrote by hand, and he concentrated on handling official affairs very quickly.
Xu Xianzhi was sitting aside drinking tea, secretly admiring him. If he had to handle so much official work, he would not be able to finish it in three or two days, and he would be so busy that he would inevitably make mistakes. It seemed that the court was really far from home. Don't open Liu Daohe.
The palace became quiet. Liu Muzhi took a sip of hot tea and said to Xu Xianzhi and Wang Hong who were sitting next to him: "Lao Zongwen and Xiu Yuan have been waiting for a long time. I invite you to discuss winter clothes and luggage."
Two days ago, Liu Yu sent a letter from Meng County, asking Liu Muzhi to raise another 20,000 sets of winter clothes and transport 40,000 kilograms of Danhuo to Anlu and Meng County. Xiu Shuzhu
After Liu Muzhi agreed to postpone the gift of Jiuxi, Liu Yu transferred many government affairs to Xu Xianzhi and Wang Hong on the grounds that Liu Muzhi would take care of his health. Liu Muzhi simply handed over the raising of winter clothes to Xu Xianzhi, while Dan Wang Hong, the new Minister of the Fifth Army, was responsible for the production of fire.
Xu Xianzhi felt that his scalp was swollen. The 30,000 sets of winter clothes sent in the early stage had consumed all the fabrics and furs in the warehouse. It was really difficult for a clever woman to make a living without rice for another 20,000 sets.
As for Danhuo, most of the saltpeter used was produced in Guchang, Ningzhou. After Liu Cui captured the fish and restored the city, the waterway became unblocked and the saltpeter was transported from the Yangtze River.
However, after Zhu Chaoshi established a firm foothold in Jiangzhou City, he divided his troops on the south bank to block the river with catapults and crossbows, and fortified cities such as Fuling and Linjiang along the river. The Song Navy navy escorted ships transporting saltpeter through and were attacked. Over the past few months, more than 20 ships were destroyed, and one-third of the saltpeter sank into the river. The supply of raw materials is insufficient, and Caizhou's stored elixir fire is only over 10,000 jins, which is still far from 40,000 jins.
Xu Xianzhi smiled bitterly and said: "I have ordered all the state and county officials to rush to make winter clothes. However, there is a shortage of materials. In addition, many girls go to the weaving fields to work, and there is a shortage of manpower. I am afraid that it will be difficult to send these 20,000 sets of winter clothes to Mongolia before November." county."
Liu Muzhi cleared his throat and said: "If you don't have enough furs, you can buy them from the market. As for the shortage of manpower, let the counties and counties supervise the work in the name of conscription, and make sure that the winter clothes are delivered in time. The soldiers at the front fought bloody battles, and we cannot let them suffer." Hungry and cold."
"In addition, winter clothes made of cotton are very warm." Liu Muzhi said: "In the name of commercial tax deduction, Yiyang cotton merchants donated 3,000 sets of cotton clothes."
Xu Xianzhi said: "Brother Daohe, those cotton merchants have already paid commercial taxes. If we force them to donate again, I'm afraid they will be scared away."
Liu Muzhi sneered: "A piece of cotton in the cloth shop costs 7,400 yuan, and the price of cotton is only 20 yuan. Such a huge profit of only 3,000 sets of cotton-padded clothes will not scare them away."
After pondering for a moment, Liu Muzhi said: "Didn't Zong Wen say that these cotton merchants intend to purchase fields and grow cotton in the south of the Yangtze River? You might as well tell them that if they can donate cotton clothes as required, the local government can help them purchase fields and grow cotton. .”
Xu Xianzhi smiled and said: "Wonderful, Song Gong ordered us to cultivate 100,000 acres of cotton fields next year. We have nowhere to raise so many cotton seeds at the moment. How to grow cotton is also a new thing. With the help of these cotton merchants, we can do this in one fell swoop. have to."
Liu Muzhi said: "Grain is food, cotton is clothing. Clothing and food are the foundation of the country. They cannot be controlled by merchants, let alone Yiyang merchants. We must discuss a charter and report it to the Duke of Song, so that it can be implemented safely."
Xu Xianzhi said sincerely: "Brother Daohe has thought carefully, I have learned a lesson."
After discussing the matter of winter clothes, Liu Muzhi looked at Wang Hong and said: "Xiu Yuan, the only way to restart the shipping of the pill fire is to restart the shipping. Fortunately, this matter can be postponed and we will try to send 40,000 kilograms of pill fire to the front line after the new year. Bar."
Wang Hong nodded and said, "That's all we can do. Yu has ordered people to explore everywhere for saltpeter mines. If we can find two more mines, we don't have to worry."
The room fell silent, and the three of them sighed in unison. In order to support the battle ahead, they could only demolish the east wall to repair the west wall. This was by no means a long-term solution. If the war was delayed, the rear might collapse first.
Liu Muzhiqiang smiled and said: "The national situation is difficult. We should work harder to share the Lord's worries."
A scribe came in and reported, "The Lord of Honglu Temple is here to see me."
Several people were stunned. Honglu Temple is a quiet yamen. It is rare to come to the Chancery twice a year. Recently, I have not heard of any country sending envoys.
Come on, what do you want to do here?
"Invitation." Liu Muzhi stood up and straightened his clothes. Xu Xianzhi and Wang Hong also stood up to greet him. Although this Qing of Chu Temple was an idler, he came from a high-ranking family in the Yangzhai family. His grandfather, Chu Pei, was once a prince of the dynasty, and his aunt was the Queen Mother. Credit, his niece Xu Lingyuan is the Princess of Langya. Although she is mediocre, her family cannot be underestimated.
Chusi was wearing a green cotton robe and looked a bit younger. After bowing to Liu Muzhi and others, he sat down and said, "Dong Yong sent envoys to pay tribute to the emperor."
Although Liu Yu declared Yang Anxuan a traitor in the name of the emperor, the imperial court did not deprive Yang Anxuan of the dukedom of Yong, and the engagement between the eldest daughter of King Langya and Yang Anxuan's eldest son was not cancelled. Just like when Cao, Liu, and Sun attacked each other, in name only They are all Hanchen.
Yang Anxuan paid tribute to the emperor in the name of Yonggong. Chusi felt deeply troubled. Song Gong fought with Yonggong. At first, Song Gong was like a broken bamboo, so he wanted to seek the position of Jiuxi. The nobles in the capital headed by Wang Xie had all watched. Unexpectedly, King Langya, with the support of a few people such as the Minister of the Ancestral Temple and the Minister of the Five Soldiers, delayed the gift of Jiuxi until Liu Yu returned to the court in victory.
Now that the war has reversed, Song Gong's soldiers and horses are unable to advance in various battlefields. On the contrary, Yong's army's counterattack is gaining momentum, the national treasury has been exhausted, and the originally reduced taxes have increased again. Everyone with a discerning eye knows that if the delay continues for a while, Song Gong will not persist. Living.
Since August, the streets and streets of Jiankang City have begun to express their grievances against Yong Gong. Even at the elegant gatherings held by the gentry, some people Pi Liyangqiu criticized the dispatch of troops this time for being too hasty and wasting money and people.
In mid-August, an opera from Xiangyang became very popular. Within a few days, it was widely sung in various theaters in Beijing. Chu Si also went to hear a few scenes.
The title of the play "Gold Inlaid with Jade Seal" tells the story of Wang Mang who wanted to usurp the throne and sent Anyang Marquis Wang Shun to the harem to force Empress Dowager Xiaoyuan to present the jade seal. The Queen Mother angrily smashed a corner of the jade seal and Wang Mang repaired it with gold.
Even the common people in the city knew the metaphorical meaning of this play, which was an allusion to Song Gong's attempt to seek Jiuxi some time ago. Liu Muzhi was horrified when his eldest son Liu Luzhi told him that "Golden Inlaid Jade Seal" was being sung in Goulan. He ordered the Tingwei to stop it and anyone who dared to sing again would be thrown into Tingwei's prison.
Then a ban can hardly stop everyone in the world. This play has been deeply rooted in the hearts of the people. From time to time, you will hear the two sentences "Bless your birthday on August 15th, the civil and military officials of the whole dynasty are on the golden steps." You can't just sing because of these people For your own entertainment in the last two sentences, just catch Tingwei in prison, otherwise Jiankang City will be in chaos.
Liu Muzhi got the libretto of "Gold Inlaid with Jade Seal" from his son. After reading it, he felt even more worried. He didn't need to ask the world to compare him to the clown Prince Shun of Anyang in the play. If Song Gong could not secure the throne, he might have to bear the infamy behind him.
When he heard that Sima Daozi, the former king of Langya, liked opera, he ridiculed him for his playthings and lost his ambition. When he learned that opera was created by Yang Anxuan and his cousin Yuan Tao, he also told Liu Yu that Yang Anxuan was evil and that he wanted to kill him. Now it seems that I am short-sighted, and opera that seems to be played for fun can secretly push public opinion, penetrate deeply into people's hearts, and be difficult to guard against.
Chusi noticed the change in the direction of the capital. He talked about his nephews instead of others. Every time they met, he would praise Song Gong for his brilliance and martial prowess. He talked endlessly about the war and wished he could imitate Wang Shun. The palace went to seize the jade seal from the emperor and gave it to Liu Yu in exchange for the merit of following the dragon.
However, since September, these brothers have looked gloomy when talking about the war. They used to criticize Yang Anxuan in their words, but now they talk about it in one word and refuse to be gentle about it. Although Chu Si was the minister of Honglu Temple, he was not as aware of the actual situation of the war as Chu Xiuzhi and others. However, it was known from the words and deeds of Chu Xiuzhi and others that the imperial troops were frustrated.
When he received the tribute memorial from Duke Yong, he thought for a moment and realized that neither Duke Yong nor Duke Song was someone the Cu family could afford to offend. Since Duke Song had left Shangshu Zuoyoushe Liu Muzhi to preside over the affairs of the state, it was up to him to make the final decision. .
After reading the memorial, Liu Muzhi took the gift list, which read "One hundred taels of gold, ten pieces of jade, twenty pieces of colored porcelain, and forty pieces each of five-color cotton..." The gift list was very long, and Liu Muzhi was very thick. Scan, the estimated price is more than a thousand gold.
Xu Xianzhi took it, took a look at it, and said with a smile: "Yonggong is very generous. These two thousand kilograms of cotton can be used to make thousands of cotton coats for the soldiers on the front line."
Chu Si glanced at him and thought that if Xu Xianzhi dared to misappropriate the tribute, I believe word would spread in the streets tomorrow. XiuShu.com
Liu Muzhi asked: "Where are these tributes?"
"Yonggong sent three cargo ships to transport these tributes. They are currently docked at the Stone City Pier." Cusi hesitated for a moment and said, "I heard that Mrs. Yonggong also sent a private gift to the Langya Palace, including one for Haiyan. The princess’s betrothal gift, and an envoy was sent to ask for it.”
Nacai, asking for names, naji, nazheng, asking for a date, personally welcoming, Sima Maoying, the princess of Haiyan County, is twelve years old this year, and it is normal for her to get married at the age of thirteen. After the lord revealed his intention to aspire to the throne, Liu Muzhi estimated that King Langya was eager to marry his daughter to Xiangyang as soon as possible.
Liu Muzhi thought for a moment and said: "Yang Anxuan sent envoys to pay tribute, and he was willing to surrender to the court. Duke Chu might as well take them to Honglu Temple as soon as possible, present the tributes to the palace, and send them back early to settle the matter." "
Wang Hong said: "It is difficult to hide this matter from others. Yongzhou officials will publicize it with great fanfare. I am afraid that King Langya will also take the opportunity to publicize it. This is Yonggong's plan."
Liu Muzhi had a headache when he thought that Yang Anxuan was both a cotton player and an opera performer, and now he was paying tribute with his frequent tricks. Thinking that his headache really hurt, Liu Muzhi covered his head and groaned a few times.
Seeing his frown, Xu Xianzhi said with concern: "Brother Liu is not feeling well, so it's better to go home and rest early. You, Xiu Yuan and others are taking care of matters in the court, so Brother Liu doesn't have to worry too much."
Liu Muzhi felt his chest was tight, he stood up with a wry smile and said, "Then there are Lao Zongwen and Xiu Yuan, Yu Xian went back."
At the time of application, Sima Dewen returned to Da Sima Mansion from the palace. Princess Xu Lingyuan smiled and presented the gift list carefully prepared by Kong Miao, and said with a smile: "Yonggong sent someone to ask for the date."
The gift list listed various gold and silver ornaments, including skirt materials, jacket materials, trousers materials, etc., including silks, cottons, and furs. Kong Miao was afraid that he would not treat his daughter-in-law lightly, so he accepted the generous gifts.
Sima Dewen smiled and said, "The gift given by Duke Yong is too heavy, I'm afraid I won't be able to afford it as a dowry."
Although it was a joke, it touched the princess's heart. She couldn't help but shed tears when she thought about the dwindling offerings in the palace.
Sima Dewen sighed lovingly: "The princess is wronged when she marries an orphan."
Chu Lingyuan said angrily: "What are you saying, Your Majesty? It is God's pity and blessing that I can marry this concubine to you."
Sima Dewen hurriedly changed the topic and said: "Since Yong Gong sent someone to ask about the date, Gu wants to find Taichang to discuss a good life. There are a lot of cotton cloths on the gift list. The princess urged Maoying to make more sets of wedding dresses and quilts. Gu I’m also going to collect a few treasures as a dowry, but I can’t let Duke Yong laugh at the shabby royal family.”
