People with different fates are all busy all night long. Some people are happy, while others are hard and painful. In order to complete the instructions of the current emperor as soon as possible and select a suitable commander of the Coast Guard as soon as possible, several officials from the Ministry of War stayed up all night, including Song Qian, the Minister of the Ministry of War. Fortunately, with the efforts of all personnel at the Ministry of War, The list of military attachés suitable for the command of the Coast Guard has finally been sorted out, including the downsizing and integration of the Coast Guard. Zhu Xiluo only needs to pick the one he thinks is most suitable from the list. When Song Qian left the Yamen of the Ministry of War, it was probably Sun Sanniang and Li Jincheng's final decisive battle.
The car with license plate Ding-001 slowly stopped in front of Duke Ding's mansion. Ah Er got out of the passenger seat and opened the door for Duke Ding.
Rubbing his temples, Song Qian couldn't help but sigh, "As people get older, they can't stand it after just staying up all night."
Looking at Song Qian's back, maybe this is the hero Chi Mu.
"My lord, you'd better go back and get some sleep. Nothing will happen to the Ministry of War."
Ah Da and Ah Er have been following Song Qian for a long time, and they feel sad as they watch Duke Ding Guo grow older slowly.
"Okay, you two haven't slept all night, go back and rest." Duke Dingguo waved his hand, stepped up the steps, and entered the mansion.
Back in the hall, Mrs. Dingguo had already gotten up and was dressing up. Mrs. Song was about fifty years old, with her hair tied up high, gold lace earrings, and a light application of makeup on her face.
Seeing Duke Ding return, Mrs. Song stood up and ordered the maid to prepare the ginseng soup.
"Master, I worked overtime yesterday"!
Duke Dingguo sat down and took a sip of hot tea to moisten his throat. "I suddenly received the instruction from the Holy Emperor yesterday. It is urgent and must be rushed out as soon as possible."
"It's true that your Majesty is too old. Master, you are too old, how can you overdo it?" Mrs. Song said with a hint of complaint in her tone.
"As a duke and an important minister in the court, it doesn't matter how many days you work overtime. It's all for the people of the world."
Living high in the temple is worrying about the people. Song Qian was a bandit, and there were too many people under him who had to turn into bandits because they could not eat and were squeezed by the government. Ding Guogong knew very well that delaying the imperial decree for a day would have a negative impact on the local people. It brought so much pain, so Song Qian had no complaints even though he was tired and worked overtime for the people of the Ming Empire.
However, Mrs. Song's consciousness is obviously not that high, which fully proves the saying, they are both husband and wife, why are there such big differences in life.
"There are so many adults in the court, how many of them will think about the people like a master." Mrs. Song couldn't help but complain.
Mrs. Song and Song Qian were generally bandits, and they didn't have the habit of staying at home as a lady. Mrs. Song would also hang around here like a British princess, and sometimes she would check in with some noble ladies. The tour group went to every corner of the Ming Empire, so Mrs. Song also understood the sufferings of the people and knew that 99% of the officials in the Ming Empire did nothing.
"Lao Wang, Lao Zhang and Lao Qian also care about the people." Song Qian retorted.
"Apart from you, who else has nothing to say when seeing your husband?" Mrs. Song continued, "My master and several brothers have experienced war and seen death. You cherish what you have now and want to maintain it well." But what about other people, do they ever care about everything they have worked so hard for now?"
Hearing this, Song Qian sighed deeply. Everyone is only for profit, and being an official is only for money. If the monarch does nothing, is the efforts of a few people worth it? Effort without hope is not effort, it is wishful thinking.
"It is precisely because it is hard-won that I persist,"
Doing something even though you know you can't do it, maybe the world also needs such fools.
There was a brief silence in the hall. At this time, a maid pushed open the door and came in, "Master, madam, the soup is here."
"Okay, let's go out." Mrs. Song ordered the maid to leave and sat next to Song Qian.
Smelling the smell of ginseng soup, Song Qian couldn't help but snorted, "This medicine again"?
"Master, for the sake of the child, I have no choice but to wrong you." Mrs. Song picked up one of the bowls, blew on it, and then drank it slowly.
"It's not working after drinking it for so long. I think it's better to forget it." After a long period of time without any results, Song Qian's confidence was gone.
Being childless is a difficult problem for the two of them. In order to be able to conceive a child, the two of them have worked hard. Over the years, they have tried countless folk remedies, but with little success.
"Sir, I got this recipe from a descendant of the imperial physician of the previous dynasty. I heard that Li Shun had many children and grandchildren thanks to this recipe." Mrs. Song took out a porcelain bottle and added some ginseng soup. Powder, "I'll add some sugar and it won't be bitter."
Helpless, Song Qian had to hold his nose and drink the ginseng soup in order to continue the incense.
"Hey," Mrs. Song sighed while looking out the window, "if my daughter was still here, she would have already gotten married."
Thinking of his missing daughter, Song Qian also felt very depressed, "I sent people to investigate and all I knew was that our daughter was adopted by a couple. Later, the husband died of illness, and the wife took her daughter to marry someone else. My people are still there." I'm searching, maybe there will be news soon."
After being disappointed too many times, Mrs. Song no longer had any confidence that she would be able to find him. She was not very happy when she heard the news that Song Qian had obtained.
Seeing that Madam could not raise her confidence, Song Qian did not continue the topic. He suddenly remembered what happened in the parliament yesterday and said, "Madam, I have an urgent need to withdraw 200,000 taels from the accountant."
The defeat will definitely have some impact on the morale of the officers and soldiers of the guard station. Implementing the pension money as soon as possible can also stabilize the morale of the army. When the Japanese pirates invade again, they will be able to fight.
"I want money again. Didn't you already withdraw fifty thousand taels in the first half of the year?"
Song Qian explained, "This time the Japanese pirates attacked the coastal guard station, resulting in numerous casualties among officers and soldiers, and the court could not provide any money for compensation."
"The imperial court has no money, so let us provide it."
"It's not us. There are still Lao Wang, Lao Zhang and Lao Qian. They will also pay."
"Officials will always make money for their own homes. You guys can't help but pay it out yourself." Mrs. Song couldn't help complaining. She reluctantly took out the key from her sleeve, walked to the bedside, and pulled out a wooden box.
Well, people in feudal society always hid huge wealth under the bed in a tacit understanding, probably because they were worried that thieves would not be able to find it.
Mrs. Song opened it with the key, and when she saw that the private money was about to bottom out, Mrs. Song counted out the money with a look of pain on her face, "Save it, our family will soon be out of trouble."
"Madam, don't worry. In the spring of next year, we and the Qian family's merchant ships will be able to go to sea. Then we will have money."
As migrant workers, evening may be their most free time. They can meet up with a few friends, have a plate of peanuts, and a few glasses of wine. If they are willing, they will also go to an entertainment venue to have fun.
Li Yutang and others, who are also migrant workers, although no one would dare to report them for fishing while at work, they would also choose to have dinner at night.
When Li Jincheng stepped into Baihua Building, Zhang Songhe, Liu Wenzheng and Li Jinchen also stepped into the Li family mansion.
The enemy came with a shotgun, the friend came with fine wine, and a sumptuous dinner was placed in front of the four of them.
"These shameless military attachés are so hateful. Look, Mr. Li was beaten in the face. This is something done by humans." Seeing Li Yutang's miserable state, Zhang Songhe had some sympathy. Fortunately, he hid quickly and did not become Zhang Luzi's opponent, otherwise Li Yutang's injuries would appear on him.
In the violent conflict in the parliament, Li Yutang, who had the worst force value, was the most seriously injured. Fortunately, they were all skin injuries, and because Li Yutang usually took supplements, otherwise Li Yutang would not be able to sit here and drink with a few old friends. .
"Yes, it is unreasonable for those shameless military ministers to dare to take action in the court, where state affairs are discussed." Li Jinchen also expressed his deep sympathy, because he discovered that the tense was out of control early, and Li Jinchen was the fastest to hide. , so basically no harm was done. Nor was he impeached by Mei’s conscience.
"What's the use of impeachment? Today's Holy See still remembers their old relationship. As long as it's not a serious crime of rebellion, he will turn a blind eye."
"What you said is not entirely correct. This is just one aspect." After all, he was a criminal, so Liu Wenzheng had more on his mind. "You said, every time we have a conflict with those shameless military officials, who is the beneficiary in the end?"
The three of them thought for a while, but none of them answered.
Liu Wenzheng answered his doubts and said, "Of course it is the current emperor. Every time we fight with the military minister, the current emperor will receive a considerable fine."
"Ahem!" Li Yutang coughed hurriedly, "Master Liu, trouble comes from your mouth."
Liu Wenzheng shrugged and said disapprovingly, "What are you afraid of? None of us here are outsiders."
"Master Liu is right," Zhang Songhe also echoed, "I think the current emperor is obsessed with money, and this time it is even more excessive. I just received a few red envelopes. As for the fine, why is it so much?"
"Hey, I've been fined quite a lot," Liu Wenzheng also sighed with emotion.
Li Yutang, who had never spoken, asked, "Have you all prepared your money?"
"I don't have that much cash at home, so I'm sending someone from my hometown to deliver it in about three to five days," Zhang Songhe replied.
Under normal circumstances, Zhang Songhe's house could also get the fine money, but it was the end of the year, which was also the peak period for giving and receiving gifts, so Zhang Songhe transported the family's banknotes to his hometown and freed up the warehouse to arrange for gift collection. This year's situation is special. Today, the Holy Emperor has reduced the scale of the sacrifices, purchased fewer sacrificial supplies, and fewer merchants are giving gifts, which has affected the Zhang family's income.
Compared with Zhang Songhe, Liu Wenzheng does not have so many troubles. The New Year is coming soon. Many prisoners in custody are willing to spend money in order to go home for the New Year, which makes Liu Wenzheng's pockets bulge. Fines can be easily obtained.
Li Yutang, well, if you pay a few times more fines, you won't frown. After the New Year, it's time for officials to be transferred. Naturally, many people who want to make progress have their thoughts on Li Yutang. If the Ming Empire asked serving officials to disclose their assets, even a British official who had been doing business all year round might not be as rich as Li Yutang. It would not be an exaggeration to say that Li Yutang was the richest man in the Ming Empire.
The poorest person was Li Jinchen, the old cabinet minister. When he heard about the fine, Li Jinchen had to take out two paintings and unfold them. One was the Song Dynasty Zhang Dunli's "Songhe Floor Map Page"; Landscape paintings, with ancient pines and rocks in the foreground, small bridges and flowing water, green mountains in the distance, and small boats on the river bank, are highly decorative and artistic.
The other painting is "Water Reflecting Tower" by Xia Yong of the Yuan Dynasty. The gorgeous tower stands among the mountains and rivers, with cornices, beams, pillars, brackets and hooks. It is a very realistic masterpiece.
"Master Li, my little brother's family is in dire straits, please ask Master Li for help." Li Jinchen reluctantly put away the two paintings and sent them to Li Yutang.
It is estimated that Li Jinchen selling paintings has become the norm, and none of them thought to persuade him.
Li Yutang didn't look at it and motioned to Li Jinchen to put it down, "I'll take care of the fine for you. I'll put these two paintings here for the time being. You can redeem them when Mr. Li has the money."
"Thank you Mr. Li."
Brothers are settling accounts, not to mention a temporary union for profit. Although Li Yutang has the ability to help Li Jinchen, Li Yutang does not. No one's money comes from the strong wind. It is not for profit, so why take advantage of others.
"Your Majesty, you have to get used to begging for food. You always want to make some money from us. As a result, Mr. Li had to sell his beloved calligraphy and paintings." Zhang Songhe continued to complain,
"The Holy One was born in a poor family and it is understandable that He loves money. However," Li Yutang paused, "It is not good for the country that the Holy One loves money so much today."
After hearing Li Yutang's words, the three of them were silent.
"Master Li means,"
"The Holy One is very old. I heard from the palace doctor that His blood pressure has always been high."
"Master Li means," Zhang Songhe continued after looking at a few people, "to give the Holy Spirit some medicine."
"Ahem," the three of them couldn't help coughing and murdered the emperor because they wanted to reunite with their eighteenth generation ancestors.
"Master Zhang, don't talk nonsense," Li Yutang rejected Zhang Songhe's nonsense, looked at several people, and then said meaningfully, "His Royal Highness the Third Prince will be back soon."
