"Yes, the brand name is Chen Liji." Tian Fei replied, "His medicines are all sold by Changchun Tang."
Since Chen Liji joined forces with the Australians, the shopkeeper originally wanted to open a branch in the capital to sell various patent medicines, but the Senate was concerned that Chen Liji was a Guangzhou brand and quite famous. If there was a war between the two sides in the future, it would be difficult to preserve the name of the brand in the capital, so he secretly purchased a small pharmacy in the capital through the channel of Runshitang on Shanhai 5th Road and changed its name to Changchun Tang. While continuing to sell traditional decoction pieces, it also sells various pills, ointments, and powdered medicines by Chen Liji and Runshitang on a consignment basis. In the past few years, he has become quite famous in the capital.
Every year during the Dragon Boat Festival, safe medicines are prepared in the palace and presented to the emperor and the heads of the harem. They are nothing more than bezoar Qingxin Dan, Zijin tablets and other cold medicines to deal with common diseases such as colds and diarrhea during summer heat. Among them, there is also the Bifeng San enshrined in Changchun Hall.
Chongzhen was initially a little embarrassed that Kun Thief's medicine was so widely circulated, but then he thought about the fact that Kun Thief's items were already everywhere in the capital. From the harem to the concubine, everyone has more or less come into contact with Kun goods, so these safety medicines mean nothing.
Thinking of the mentions in books such as "Pingkun's Notes" and "Kun Shi Zhilu" that the Kun thieves were "much wiser than demons" and "omnipotent", he secretly felt regretful in his heart. If the Chinese Miao people scattered overseas like this would How great it would be to be used by the imperial court! Why worry about the rogue bandits being immortal and the Eastern captives being unjust?
"Wang Zunde has harmed the country!" he murmured. His expression was fierce. Concubine Tian was shocked. She didn't know who Wang Zunde was. But it will never end well if it arouses the emperor's anger.
She didn't dare to say anything and just stayed with them silently. After a while, the emperor suddenly asked: "My concubine, let me ask you, does your father have any property in Guangzhou?"
These words were like a thunderclap, and Concubine Tian's heart trembled. Although she had limited knowledge of her father's property, her mother-in-law's family relied on their status as the "father of the country" outside, and she knew a lot of evil things.
If it were an ordinary thing, the emperor would laugh it off if he knew about it, but adding the word "Guangzhou" would make things very bad. There is quite a suspicion that her father has the intention of colluding with the Kun thieves.
My father was instigated by someone who sent his family to Guangzhou, saying that he wanted to collect an estate. It didn't work out, and all the family members who were sent died inexplicably in Guangzhou. Concubine Tian didn't take it seriously at first, but she didn't expect to find out later that the property her father coveted actually belonged to the thief!
It is said that because of this incident, the city of Guangzhou was once full of turmoil. The Tian family spent a lot of effort to smooth things over.
Because of this past incident, Concubine Tian was particularly afraid of anyone mentioning the relationship between the Tian family and Guangzhou. Several years have passed since this matter, why was it suddenly brought up by the emperor again?
Could it be that Cao Huachun and others gave him eye drops? Whether it is her or her father, the relationship with the eunuchs is still acceptable, and they are as interesting as they should be on weekdays. There is no grudge between them - could it be the official Yanguan from outside?
She said carefully while trying to figure out the emperor's state of mind:
"Your Majesty, my maiden's family was originally from Shaanxi, and later moved to Yangzhou. Guangli is far away, and I have no relatives or friends. I am beyond our reach. Where can I buy property?"
Chongzhen didn't know that there was such a past between his concubine's natal family and Kun Ze. This question was originally unintentional, he just wanted to know more about Kun Ze. Concubine Tian is a member of her own family, so she is more frank than the confrontation with the ministers.
"I saw that there are many Australian goods in the imperial concubine's palace, so I asked this question." Chongzhen said, "Although the goods have many strange and clever things, they are also beneficial to the country and the people. It's just that they cannot be used by the imperial court!" After saying this, I felt quite regretful.
Looking at Chongzhen's intentions, Concubine Tian didn't seem to hate the thieves very much. She was the smartest one and knew that the emperor had a soft heart to recruit the thieves. However, she knew the emperor's temperament well, and this kind of thing could only be "guessed" by the ministers.
"Your Majesty, please be at ease. No matter how powerful the thief is, he must have ambitions for fame and fortune. As long as he is restrained in this way, the world's heroes will not come into your Majesty's trap..." Concubine Tian comforted her with warm words.
The emperor smiled bitterly and said, "It would be great if that was true!" He had already made a calculation in his mind at this moment, and he felt much more relaxed. He said in a low voice, "Didn't the imperial concubine promise to give me a pair of fine flowers and birds?"
Shortly after lunch on the second day
, the emperor called Wu Mengming, the commander of the Jinyi Guards, in Wuying Hall and asked him if he knew about the "Miracle Doctor Zhou" who was very famous in the capital recently.
Jinyiwei has the most rigorous surveillance in the capital and has many eyes and ears. Ever since this Zhou miracle doctor became famous in the capital, Jin Yiwei had already noticed him.
"There is indeed such a person. His name is Zhou Lezhi, and he claims to be from Shanyin County, Shaoxing Prefecture, Zhejiang Province. He is now renting a room in Chongxiao Temple to practice medicine."
In ancient times, most doctors did not have fixed clinics and would ring bells when traveling to attract business. If business is good in a certain place, they will rent a house to stay in the clinic for a short period of time. The location is usually a temple or Taoist temple.
"Chongxiao Temple, could it be Baizhifang Zaohua Temple?"
"Exactly here."
Chongxiao Temple is a famous temple in the capital. Because there is a jujube garden with thousands of jujube trees in the northeast of the Buddhist Scripture Pavilion, the flowers are as fragrant as honey in early summer and the fruits are as red as clouds in autumn. It was sometimes called Chongxiao Temple a wonder.
"How long has this person been in the capital? In addition to practicing medicine and selling medicine, has he done anything else?"
Wu Mengming thought to himself: What kind of Tai Sui did the miracle doctor commit this week, so that he was noticed by the emperor? Because some of his relatives and friends had received the blessings of the miracle doctor this week, he decided to return to protect him and reported: "He came to Beijing in April this year. He usually attends clinics and travels in his spare time. He has a wide circle of friends, most of whom are patients." In order to thank him for his hand, the relatives received the reward of curing the disease."
"Do you know who is the backer behind him?"
Wu Mengming didn't dare to hide it: "It's Wang Yehao, Minister of War."
Chongzhen nodded, quite satisfied with Wu Mengming's answer. He then asked, "Has Mr. Wang had any dealings with Mr. Tian from Jinyiwei recently?"
This question was really difficult to answer. Wu Mingmeng immediately started to sweat on his forehead. He thought for a moment and said, "It was because someone at Mr. Tian's home fell ill that Mr. Wang recommended him to go. In addition, Wei Mingmeng I have never seen them interact with each other."
In fact, Wu Mengming was careless here. The relationship between Wang Yehao and Tian Guozhang did not just become warm recently. It should be said that since Zhou Lezhi came to Beijing in April, Wang Yehao has used this miracle doctor to establish a relationship with Tian Guozhang's family. Doctor Zhou began to treat Tian’s family half a year ago. The relationship between the two is now much closer than it used to be. To be honest, Wu Mengming didn't understand Wang Yehao's sudden flattery towards Tian Hongyu. "Royal relatives" like the Tian family are mostly treated at a respectful distance by ministers, and few are willing to make friends with them. In the imperial court, Wang Yehao had already achieved the title of Minister of War and the title of Minister, and had also served as a local governor. It could be said that he had reached the end of his career as an official. It was difficult to understand why he suddenly thought of currying favor with his noble relatives. After all, the emperor is not someone who is easily blown away.
Fortunately, Chongzhen did not pursue this issue further, but turned to another topic: "Has anyone from Fujian's commanding officer Zheng Sen come to the capital recently?"
Wu Mengming was stunned by this nonsensical question. He didn't know who Zheng Sen was. Although the rank of commander was very high, it was only a military position in the guard station. Without other positions, it was basically equivalent to the empty title of a military officer. There are hundreds of such people in Ming Dynasty. How could Wu Mengming remember coming here?
Perhaps Chongzhen himself felt that it was inappropriate to ask this question, so he added: "He is the son of the late governor Zheng Zhilong..."
Speaking of Zheng Zhilong, Wu Mengming naturally knows it. He quickly reported: "Wei Chen is not aware of this matter. We will report it to the Emperor after we send someone to investigate."
"Go and check on me quickly. This person probably came to the capital from Fujian," the emperor said.
Wu Mengming left the palace and returned to the Yamen. He immediately sent his men to investigate the matter. Within a few days, news came back that several Fujian officials had indeed come to the capital. Among them, some came to the Ministry of Civil Affairs to report for duty, while others came to the capital on business. But these people have nothing to do with the Zheng family. It wasn't until I inquired about the Fujian Guild Hall in the capital that I learned that a school inspector from the Zhangzhou Haiphong Tongzhi Yamen came to the capital to work.
The inspector was an insignificant official in the Tongzhi Yamen. Generally speaking, it was unlikely that he would be sent to the capital on official business. The reporter also found out from the people at the Fujian Guild Hall that he had not gone to any yamen to do business, and no officials had visited him. But this person goes out every day. He made extensive connections in the capital.
"What is this person's name?
What name? Chongzhen asked after hearing Wu Mengming's report.
"My name is Qian Taichong."
"Which issue is the name of the subject?"
"It is said that he is a graduate of Nanjing Imperial College."
Chongzhen thought to himself, if he came from the imperial examination, he would not be able to help a young man like Zheng Sen who was in an awkward position. This person was probably a private person promoted by Zheng Zhilong in Fujian official circles.
Now he is eager to know where this person went to the capital and who he met. Zheng Sen sent him here, obviously hoping to get the emperor's support. He wanted to see which important officials in the capital the young man in Fujian regarded as his aid.
Wu Mengming did not dare to hide it, and immediately listed the officials Qian Taichong visited one by one. Chongzhen glanced at the list. Most of these people were from Fujian, and they also had some old relationships between Zheng Zhilong and Zou Weilian.
In fact, Qian Taichong originally visited Cao Huachun and other eunuchs, but Wu Mengming did not list them.
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"Why did he come to the capital for activities?" Chongzhen was a little surprised. This Zheng Sen had already inherited a secular position, was not yet a junior, and had no academic title. It was not necessarily that he came to recommend him for an official appointment. Moreover, he traveled back and forth for a month or two and met with such officials from the DPRK and China. Obviously, he had more important matters.
"Wei Chen didn't even inquire about this." Wu Mengming bowed and reported, "But Wei Chen has arranged people to guard him secretly. As long as the emperor is alive, he will be taken down for questioning."
