The next day, in Rendian Street, in a mansion not far from Fan Tower.
Fan Xuewen was lying on the rosewood couch and kept screaming "ouch". Mr. Wu was sitting next to him and offered words of comfort.
"My dear boss, fortunately the officials were kind and revised the punishment system, changing the big battles used in Taizu's time to small battles. Otherwise, if he were beaten with a twenty-killing stick, his bones and tendons would be broken even if he didn't die, and he would never be able to get out of bed."
Fan Xuewen endured the pain: "Even in a small battle, twenty blows are enough to almost kill you. How can those who were sent to the army survive a hundred blows when they entered the camp?"
Mr. Wu said: "Of course you are trying to gain money through connections. If you don't have everything, but you are a good man, if you are not a good man, you will be beaten to death."
"Oh, it's really painful!" Fan Xuewen lay on the couch and cried out in pain.
Last night, Zhao Tong ran back to the west building from the courtyard. He didn't even want the oiran, and he didn't pay for the expenses in the pavilion. He took his troops and fled, leaving the mess to him, the boss of Fanlou, to take the blame.
The officials were so angry that they wanted to kill him on the spot. In the end, Master Li begged for mercy, but he only got twenty blows and was beaten so hard that he couldn't get out of bed.
Fan Xuewen said with a sad face: "Mr. Wu, isn't this an unreasonable disaster? The official father and son matter, but in the end they turned their anger on me. How can I reason after a good beating?"
Mr. Wu sighed: "This matter... well, don't think about it anymore, big boss. There is still a problem at the moment and we need to make arrangements early."
Fan Xuewen trembled when he heard the word "trouble" and hurriedly said: "I've been beaten, what kind of trouble is there?"
Mr. Wu shook his head, looked at Fan Xuewen and said, "Did the big boss forget Zhao Yuannu?"
Hearing this, Fan Xuewen said angrily: "Last night's incident was all caused by this little hooves, and there is no time to punish her. From now on, she will not be an oiran anymore. She will be demoted to wash, cook and do rough work. Let her suffer and suffer. It is more uncomfortable than being beaten and scolded." "
Mr. Wu said: "The big boss understands people's hearts. It is easy to go from frugality to luxury, but it is difficult to go from luxury to frugality. If you usually live well in life, falling into the clouds, sometimes it is more uncomfortable than death, but..."
Fan Xuewen paused after hearing his tone and asked, "Just what?"
Mr. Wu touched his beard and looked solemn: "Didn't the big boss see it last night? King Qi seems to have come specifically for this Zhao Yuannu, otherwise how could he go to war? Although running into an official would ruin a good thing, Zhao Yuannu would be killed. Yuan Nu was left in the front building, but with King Qi’s temperament, how could he let it go?"
Fan Xuewen lay on the bed and thought for a while: "That's right! What the gentleman said is absolutely true. I think this King Qi has a violent temper and a cunning and ruthless behavior. He must be like that..."
Mr. Wu heard this and said hurriedly: "My boss, please be careful what you say. Be careful what you say."
Fan Xuewen was immediately startled and couldn't help but look out the window, wondering: "Mr. Wu..."
Mr. Wu whispered: "The King of Qi is in charge of troops and patrols day and night. I heard that there are many strangers around him. The matter is not over yet. The big boss's house is no better than an official residence. You must be extremely careful what you say!"
Fan Xuewen took a breath when he heard the words: "Yes, yes, I think that year when the Liao people held a competition, it was the King of Qi who presided over it. I went to see it, and there were many masters in the world, walking up and down, as if they were walking on the ground. .”
Mr. Wu nodded, and Fan Xuewen whispered: "Since King Qi will not give up, what should Mr. Yi do?"
Mr. Wu said: "Since the King of Qi likes Zhao Yuannu, he can no longer let her appear in public, singing, dancing and drinking with others."
Fan Xuewen said: "That's natural. If King Qi is worried about her, how can he dare to let her accompany guests? Who is not afraid of the sharpness of the blade!"
Mr. Wu said again: "Zhao Yuannu was as famous as Master Li. Now that Master Li is gone, it is difficult for her to support Fanlou alone. I think it is better for the big boss to bring in a few more oirans. As for Zhao Yuannu..."
"Could it be sent directly to the palace?" Fan Xuewen interrupted.
"No, no, it's too reckless, and..." Mr. Wu glanced at Fan Xuewen: "If we don't get married with the same surname, ordinary people can just sneak around. How can the prince do it? He went over blatantly and was seen by others. King Qi accepted it Or not to accept it? If you accept it, you will have to give it a status, but won’t it mean that you will no longer think about that chair!”
"Sir, what you said makes sense." Fan Xuewen was moved in his heart and said, "That chair?"
Mr. Wu nodded: "Although the prince is in power, there is still hope!"
Fan Xuewen took a deep breath: "Please, sir, teach me."
"We might as well give Zhao Yuannu his own yard so that he can have a good life and don't have to do anything. Then write a letter and send it to the palace and let His Highness King Qi make his own decision." Mr. Wu muttered: "If King Qi doesn't care about outside words, then send someone to the palace." If King Qi cares about sending it to the house, he will send it with the people in the courtyard. King Qi can go whenever he wants."
Fan Xuewen said happily: "Sir, what you said is very wonderful. I think this time I will take the blame for King Qi and send him the oiran in the house. King Qi will definitely not forget the friendship between Fan Lou and rely on this big tree. If King Qi can really sit on it in the future That chair, I, Fan Lou, am not..."
Mr. Wu nodded slightly: "That's it. What the boss thinks is right."
The two looked at each other and smiled.
Zhao Tong was sick. Although he didn't know where the disease was, what its name was, or where he felt uncomfortable, he was sick. He was very sick and couldn't get out of bed.
So he wrote a letter and planned to tell Emperor Daojun that he was ill. He did not plan to attend the celebration banquet tomorrow night and would recuperate at home.
Huang Gu was originally supposed to be sent to deliver the message, but by chance Huang Gu was also ill, and he planned to send Su Shi. As a result, Su Shi sprained his foot while walking and was limping and could not enter the palace.
Zhao Tong couldn't help but lament that the world was difficult, people's hearts were not ancient, and it was getting harder and harder to lead the team. In the end, he couldn't send someone to the government office to call Tan Zhen and let Tan Zhen go to the palace.
As a result, just after noon, Tan Zhen came back dejectedly, saying that the officials would not approve of the things mentioned in the document, and that even if he did, he would have to be carried to the celebration banquet.
Zhao Tong had no choice but to send Tan Zhen away and sit in the pavilion in a daze, thinking that I have made you so angry, celebrating the victory of the King of Qin and so on. If possible, I can avoid it. Why do I have to carry it...
He drank tea and looked around with a dazed expression. It was early autumn, the flowers and plants in the house were still very beautiful, the fish in the pond under the pavilion were still lively, and the wind was still warm.
The celebration banquet is not a good place. Not only the ministers of the court and the generals who conquered Wang Qing this time will attend, but also the prince will appear.
On the surface, he and Zhao Huan have a good relationship. They don't want to make things unhappy because of the celebration of the victory and the transfer to the king. They avoid the celebration banquet. Even if Emperor Daojun insists on moving him to the throne of Qin, then the hatred caused by the other person will not be there if he is not present. So high.
But now that he can't pretend to be sick, even if he stays in the palace and doesn't go, Emperor Daojun might really send a few eunuchs to carry him away.
When Zhao Tong was feeling worried, suddenly the officials came to report that several princes and concubines in the palace had arrived.
This was what he had promised yesterday. Yesterday, he sent someone to the palace to deliver jewelry gifts to Empress Zheng. He said that he still had some things to give to his beloved siblings. Unexpectedly, they arrived on time today.
After a while, several people came to the pavilion, but it was Zhao Jinluo holding Zhao Huer, Zhao Fujin taking Zhao Yingluo, followed by Zhao Gou and Zhao Mo.
Zhao Tong looked at the accompanying young eunuch in confusion: "Why hasn't Zhang Yaban come over?"
The young eunuch hurriedly stepped forward and whispered: "Your Majesty, the prison guard was beaten by the officials for unknown reasons last night. He is still lying on the bed and can't get up. The prison guard told me to come over. What's the matter? Communicate to the prince."
Zhao Tong blinked and said "Oh" before looking at the people in front of him.
The one at the front is Zhao Jinluo. Zhao Jinluo is his half-sister. She is one year older than Zhao Fujin and ranks fourth among the princesses.
Empress Zheng had one son and five daughters, but among the daughters, Shoushu Diji and Rongshu Diji both died young. Now there are only four left, Zhao Tao, Zhao Yupan, Zhao Jinluo and Zhao Huer.
Zhao Yingluo, who was holding Zhao Fujin's hand, was the daughter of the late Wang Guifei. She was not the same mother as any of them, but because she was Zhao Huer's playmate, Zhao Yu also called her over.
As for calling this boy Zhao Gou over, it was just because he was the only one of the princes in the palace who was strong enough to wield a bow and sword, so he was considered a free bodyguard.
And Zhao Tong also wanted to take a look at him. After all, this kid had an impure mind. Checking and pondering from time to time could make him more honest.
Zhao Mo was a coward among the princes. He was usually the little follower of Zhao Yan and Zhao Gou, but he and Zhao Yan were both brothers of Zhao Fujin, and they admired Zhao Fu very much, so they asked him to come over.
At this time, everyone saw the ceremony, Zhao Huer's eyes fell on Zhao Huer, and Zhao Huer rolled his eyes: "Erguo, what good things can you give me?"
Zhao Tong smiled and said, "Why are you still talking like this? It's not because of your teeth falling out, but because your tongue is a bit big, right?"
Upon hearing this, Zhao Huer immediately changed from joy to sadness, and finally her mouth flattened, and two tears began to roll back and forth in her eyes.
Zhao Jinluo hurriedly coaxed: "Hu'er, don't cry. Second brother is teasing you. My Hu'er has a big tongue. It will be fine if he grows two years old."
Zhao Hu'er looked at Zhao Jinluo and said in disbelief: "Fourth sister lied to me. How can a big tongue be made smaller?"
Zhao Jinluo smiled and said: "Of course I can. How could I lie to Sister Thirteen? Second brother brought back good things this time, but it's up to you to choose."
Only then did Zhao Huer stop her tears and looked at Zhao Tan and said: "Erguo, the queen said you have a lot of treasures. I went to the queen to say hello this morning. The queen asked me to ask for two more. She said yes, she said yes... I will give them to Huer in the future. Make a dowry.”
Zhao Tong touched his chin when he heard this. How old are you now that you have to start saving for a dowry? Is there any way to save for a dowry? In the future, it will not be advantageous to others.
He smiled and said: "Hu'er is only a few years old and she already wants to do the dowry. Why don't my second brother give you a few more and go to the empress to exchange for candies?"
When Zhao Huer heard this, she immediately became happy and said happily: "It would be best if I can exchange it for candy. When I go back to find the empress, I will exchange it for you."
At this time Zhao Gou said: "Second brother, do you have strong bows and weapons?"
Zhao Tie looked at him and wondered where those things were. Li Zhu's Wuwu Sword was originally good, but it was a pity that it was destroyed. But even if it was not destroyed, I can't give it to you.
He shook his head: "The thieves are causing chaos. Where can I find treasures and strong bows? If you are ordinary, you will not be able to use them easily."
"That's true." Zhao Gou nodded hurriedly, then looked at Zhao Mo: "Old Eleven, my second brother praises me for my martial arts skills. I won't take advantage of ordinary weapons. Do you accept it or not?"
Zhao Mokou was dissatisfied and said perfunctorily: "I am convinced by Ninth Brother, Ninth Brother is very skilled in martial arts!"
Zhao Gou immediately puffed up his chest. Zhao Tao looked amused and ordered: "Go and bring one of the lacquered red boxes from the library."
Not long after, two guards carried a large box, which contained the jewelry and jades brought back by Huaixi.
In addition to the ones presented to Emperor Daojun, there were still three boxes left. One was sent directly to the palace to Empress Zheng, and most of the other boxes were given to these small ones. He also kept a whole box for himself.
I won't send the leftovers to the broken jade cabinet. After all, I am much richer after a trip to Huaixi. I have some things in hand, so I can often reward them.
When Zhao Huer saw the box falling to the ground, she ran forward and tried to open the lid, but unfortunately the box was not made of ordinary wood. She was not that strong yet, so she lifted it several times but it didn't move, so she looked back.
Zhao Gou said: "I have to do this!"
He went over and opened the lid of the box, and was immediately blinded by the jewels inside. He was a little flustered and said, "Second brother, so... so many treasures?"
Zhao Tong nodded. Zhao Gou was one of the poorer ones among the princes. His mother, Wei Shi, was not favored and was not even a concubine. After giving birth to Zhao Gou, Emperor Daojun almost never favored him again, so Wei Shi only had one child. .
Siblings such as Zhao Fujin, Zhao Chu and Zhao Mo were not much better, including Zhao Yingluo. Although her mother had the title of concubine, she died early. Although she had many rewards during her lifetime, her grace in this area was cut off after her death, so Even though she looks like the prince, Di Ji, she is actually very tight.
In the palace, the princes and daughters whose mothers were away were all taken care of by Empress Zheng, but in fact Empress Zheng couldn't take care of them. After all, the palace expenses had to come from Emperor Daojun in the end.
Emperor Daojun's family was extravagant, and he could spend whatever he wanted. He had piled countless coins into Gen Yue before it was completed, and the money in the inner treasury was simply not enough, so he had no time to take care of these children.
Therefore, except for Zhao Jinluo and Zhao Huer, everyone present, whether Zhao Fujin, Zhao Yingluo, Zhao Gou or Zhao Mo, was short of money.
In fact, in the harem of the Emperor of the Song Dynasty, except for the queen, who was mostly from a general family, the other concubines, Mrs. Yiyuan, etc., were almost all from small families, and very few came from rich families.
Like Qin Hui's wife, the Wang family, she is the granddaughter of Wang Gui, the prime minister of the Shenzong Dynasty. She is a branch of the Wang family in Taiyuan. The dowry alone is enough to reach 200,000 yuan. With this kind of background, the royal family of the Song Dynasty has a queen. She will not be included in the harem as a concubine.
And this further determines that the princes, emperors and concubines whose mothers died early are not very good except for food and drink, because their mothers' relatives can't count on them either.
Although the Song Dynasty was prosperous, Taizu was once "stumped by a heroic man for a penny" in a melon field when he was young. Perhaps it left a shadow in his heart from then on, and he even lived a very simple life after he ascended to the throne.
The imperial palace of the Song Dynasty was the smallest in history. Taizu, Renzong, Zhezong, etc. were all famous frugal emperors. Looking at the entire Song Dynasty, except for Emperor Daojun, there were actually not many who were extravagant. As for Emperor Taizong, although he spent money There are many, but most of them are used in fighting.
Therefore, the Imperial Palace of the Song Dynasty was not as lavish as those of later dynasties. It was small in scale and had few good things. Even if Daojun and Emperor were extravagant and expanded the Yanfu Palace and built Gen Yue, there were not many treasures in Gen Yue. The stones obtained by exploiting the people.
The expenses in the palace are already high, and these cash-strapped princes and concubines can only wait until they go out to open a mansion or get married before things turn around.
So now whether Zhao Gou or Zhao Mo saw a box of treasures, their eyes lit up and they were still a little scared.
Zhao Tong stared at Zhao Gou for a few times, then looked at the others, and said with a smile: "It's rare to go out. The last time was Longyou, but Longyou was barren and there was nothing worth bringing back. This time we suppressed the bandits." It’s still a harvest, it’s a gift from my second brother to you, each of you picks three pieces, by the way, Hu’er picks five pieces.”
When Zhao Huer heard this, she immediately clapped her hands and was about to choose. Zhao Gou suddenly said: "Second brother, are three pieces too much? I only want one piece."
Zhao Tong saw that he was not taking his eyes off the box, and knew that he was telling the truth. He smiled and said: "Brother Ninth will go out to open a mansion in two years. How can he not have anything on hand to enhance his appearance? Brothers are no better than the Emperor Ji. When I get married, the palace will give him something." A dowry, but I don’t have these things when I open my mansion, and I left the imperial city empty-handed back then.”
Zhao Gou heard this and said calmly: "Second brother, then I'm not welcome."
Zhao Tong said: "You're welcome, just pick it up quickly. Do you still want me to let you have dinner at my house?"
Everyone laughed, and Zhao Tong said again: "It's best to keep this matter a secret. Don't let dad know about it. If you know it, you will take it away if you don't want to. In the end, it will be all in vain, and you will have to suffer the consequences together." Punishment.”
Zhao Gou said: "Second brother, don't worry, we all know this, even my mother won't tell you."
Zhao Tong nodded and watched several people choose, but it was Zhao Fujin who made the first choice. He chose a mutton-fat jade bracelet, a bead chain, and a green hairpin inlaid with gems.
"Second brother, I've made my choice." Zhao Fujin stood aside, his aqua blue skirt swaying in the wind.
Zhao Tong looked at her hand and said with a smile: "Fu Jin has a good eye. The gems on the hairpin are pearls of light, and they are worth more than the other two."
Zhao Fujin smiled sweetly: "Second brother, I took this light bead because I recognized it. I didn't expect that second brother would see through it."
Zhao Tong smiled and said, "That's good."
Zhao Fujin said: "Second brother is sending it out like this, don't you want to keep some?"
Zhao Tong shook his head and said, "I'll give it back to my younger brothers and sisters after all the money has been spent. No matter whether I keep it or not."
Zhao Fujin suddenly stared at him and said softly: "The second brother has not married the princess, so he should leave some for his future sister-in-law."
Zhao Tong was stunned when he heard this, and then laughed: "Fujin, you are not married yet, so you are thinking about your second brother. But don't follow the tune of Zongzheng Temple. Your second brother is most afraid of hearing this."
Zhao Fujin also smiled and said: "Second brother, it's Fujin who talks too much."
Zhao Tong smiled and shook his head and looked at the other people.
At this time, Zhao Jinluo, Zhao Gou, and Zhao Mo had already chosen, leaving only Zhao Huer and Zhao Yingluo still confused and unable to choose.
The two children didn't know what was good or bad. They were just looking for something shiny and attractive. As a result, about a quarter of an hour passed before it was finished. However, their eyes were still secretly staring at the box, somewhat reluctantly.
Seeing that they had made their selections, Zhao Tong ordered the guards to pack a few items and give them to the young eunuch. These were for Zhang Di. He had hinted to Zhang Di when he was in the palace last time, but now this eunuch received a slap in the face. Emperor Jun couldn't fight it off, so he asked the eunuch to sneak it over.
After giving instructions to the young eunuch and watching several people leave, Zhou Chu suddenly came to report.
After Zhao Tong heard this, the spies stationed outside Liangshanshuibo received Dai Zong's secret letter and rushed back to Tokyo without stopping. They were now outside asking for an audience.
He asked Zhou Chu to take him to the study, then took Dai Zong's secret letter, opened it, and frowned.
It turned out that Liangshan troops attacked Zengtou City, and Chao Gai, the king of Tota, was hit by Shi Wengong's arrow and died of poison.
But then Dai Zong wrote in the letter that he had secretly taken Shi Wengong's arrow to look at it, but did not find it poisonous, so he suspected that Chao Gai actually died at the hands of his own family in Liangshan.
Dai Zong also described all the strange things during the attack on Zengtou City. Lin Chong divided half of the troops but did not go to help. After Chao Gai came back from being shot by an arrow, there was no military doctor to treat him, but Lin Chong applied the golden sore medicine.
Chao Gai was fine all the way back. It was not until Lin Chong applied the golden sore medicine that he realized that what he had been hit was a poisonous arrow.
And is the poison on the arrow or on the medicine? Dai Zong expressed his suspicion in the letter and mentioned that Lin Chong had killed the big leader Wang Lun before.
When Chao Gai was dying, he said, "Whoever can avenge him can be the master of Liangshan."
Obviously Chao Gai also suspected that he had been harmed by his own family, and suspected Song Jiang and Lin Chong, so he left these last words and did not want to pass on the position of the leader of Liangshan to Song Jiang or Lin Chong.
So Dai Zong thought something was wrong, so he wrote his own speculations in the letter.
After Zhao Tong read the letter, he put it gently on the table, then walked out of the door with his hands behind his hands, looking due east, and fell into deep thought.
(End of chapter)
