"What if someone counterfeits the treasury bonds we issue? Previously, local government agencies received many cases of counterfeit banknotes and exchange notes from various banks, which caused great losses to these banks. They have even stopped printing and issuing these bonds now. For banknotes and exchange tickets, only cash is used for transactions!" Wei Wen raised his biggest concern.
Chen Xiaomu thought for a while and said: "Actually, this is what I am most worried about. There are frequent wars now. When I have some free time in the future, I will learn some anti-counterfeiting measures and print them on treasury bonds, so that these treasury bonds can be listed on the market. Bank notes are used and have a certain circulation function. Today, the first batch of national bonds we issue can only be issued by registered means. That is, those who purchase national bonds must leave their real names, purchase amounts, and their own personal information. Seal mold and signature for filing. If there is a need to transfer the treasury bonds in hand to another person, the person who previously held the treasury bonds must personally bring the yellow book with his transferor to the treasury bond issuance location designated by the Ministry of Household Affairs for verification. transfer."
Wei Wen couldn't help but stretched out his hand and raised his thumb and praised: "Your Highness is still thoughtful, this is the best way!"
Several people discussed the issue of national debt. It was almost noon. Wang Xi, the eunuch in charge of the palace, came in to report that a banquet to welcome Zheng's army returning triumphantly from the front was ready. Su Chengxuan only had to give instructions on when to start the banquet. .
Due to the lack of money in the national treasury and the eagerness of the Qi army on the border, no one had any intention to eat at this banquet and ended up hastily. After the banquet, Chen Xiaomu planned to return to Su Xingran's princess mansion to reunite with Su Xingran, but who Before he could get up, Su Chengxuan, Wei Wen and others pulled him to the imperial study room.
Su Chengxuan was extremely anxious now. Originally, the war with the Chu State was over, and the people of the Zheng State should be allowed to recuperate for a period of time. However, the Qi State came again, and he had to quickly find a way to raise money and food for Chen Xiaomu to continue leading the charge. The army must go out to fight, otherwise once the Qi army crosses the border, it will be difficult to fight them out.
As soon as a few people sat down in the imperial study, Su Chengxuan couldn't wait to ask Chen Xiaomu, "Xianxiang, when are you going to go to the border and how much military expenditure and food and grass do you need to raise?"
Chen Xiaomu pondered for a moment and said: "Father, our country of Zheng is now in dire straits. There are too many places where money is needed. I hope that all the money raised from issuing national bonds will be used for people's livelihood. As for me to lead the army there Are you going to fight against the Qi people at the border? To tell you the truth, I still kept some grain, grass and silver when I recruited the Hubei auxiliary army of the Chu State in Xinhe County. Now we only need to bring all the explosive packs I left behind. Just go up.”
When Su Chengxuan heard this, he couldn't help but take a deep look at Chen Xiaomu. He originally thought that Chen Xiaomu would definitely ask for a large amount of money in the name of military expenses this time when he led the army. Otherwise, he would have worked so hard to come up with the idea of issuing national bonds for them. What is this method of raising money for? Isn't it just to raise military funds and let him take him to the border to fight? But what was unexpected was that his virtuous son-in-law was prepared to take no money during this expedition. This really touched him.
At this time, Lu Jun stood up, walked to Chen Xiaomu, patted his shoulder, and said with a sad smile: "Nephew and son-in-law, how about you take my uncle with you on this expedition? Anyway, I, an old man, live alone at home. The whole family will be fed and not hungry. I will move as soon as I pick up the heel of my shoe. Staying in the new capital will be boring. Why not join you as a pioneer and still have a lively life."
Hearing this, Chen Xiaomu quickly stood up from his chair, waved his hands and said with a smile, "Uncle, you must not follow us to the border to fight. This aunt and cousin will be so sad if they don't see you when they go home, but your nephew and son-in-law I really want to ask you to help me with something."
Lu Jun originally wanted to hold on a little longer, but when he heard that Chen Xiaomu had something else to ask him for help with, he asked, "Is there anything I need my uncle's help with? But it doesn't matter. As long as my uncle can help, I will do it even through fire and water." Don’t hesitate!”
''I wonder if my uncle still has any extra armor in his armory? "Chen Xiaomu asked.
Lu Jun couldn't help but shook his head in embarrassment after hearing this, and said with a wry smile: "That's not true. It turns out that there are still some armors left in the armory so that the soldiers can replace the damaged ones during battles and training. But since the Chu army entered the city, the armory All the armor left in the army was set on fire by the Chu army. Since the return of the capital, these tens of thousands of soldiers are lucky to have brought back some food and grass in Tianquan County. Otherwise, they might not even be able to eat enough. There is still money to buy new ones. armor!"
Seeing the embarrassment on Lu Jun's face, Chen Xiaomu comforted him: "Uncle, it's okay. Don't take it personally. I'm just asking. Mainly because some of the soldiers I lead now are the original Chu soldiers." The Auxiliary Army of Guo'e District, because they have no armor to change, they are still wearing the Chu Army's armor. They look a bit nondescript among the Zheng Army and are difficult to identify, so I want to find some Zheng Army armor and replace them with the Chu Army's armor. Come down."
At this time, Lu Qian, who had been silent since entering the imperial study, suddenly said: "Your Highness, I have a way to make all the Hubei auxiliary troops under your subordinates wear Zheng Jun's armor!"
"Oh," everyone in the room immediately focused their attention on Lu Qian.
Lu Qian took a sip of tea from the tea bowl in his hand and said slowly, "We only need to replace part of the armor on the soldiers under Lu Jun's command. In short, they don't have any combat missions now, except to protect the palace and the palace." To maintain law and order in the new capital city, it doesn’t matter whether you wear armor or not.”
"Yes." Lu Jun reached out and patted his forehead, and smiled at Lu Qian: "Lu Shangshu, I have been an official in the same court with you for so many years, and it is rare for you to come up with a good idea!"
When Lu Qian heard this, he couldn't help but rolled his eyes at Lu Jun and said angrily: "Old Lu, are you being unkind when you say this? I, the Minister of War, have not come up with a single good idea in these years. Is it all based on flattery? Let's ask the emperor to testify, shall we?" Lu Qian said, putting down the tea bowl in his hand, standing up and bowing to Su Chengxuan.
Su Chengxuan suppressed his laughter and waved his hand at Lu Qian, "Lu Aiqing, don't argue with a rough guy like him. Lao Lu is just a warrior who talks a lot but doesn't mean it!"
Seeing Su Chengxuan come forward to smooth things over, Lu Qian glared at Lu Jun again before sitting down again with a groan.
When Chen Xiaomu led his army to leave Xinjing to attack Chu State, he specifically left Zhou Huiniang to take care of Zhang Yong's mansion. When Zhang Yun was executed by him, all Zhang Yun's family members, including two concubines, were exiled by him. After leaving the palace, Chen Xiaomu did not go directly to Su Xingran's Princess Qingfeng's mansion. He asked He Quan to find Li Gui, and then the three of them went to Zhang Yun's mansion to find Zhou Huiniang.
After Chen Xiaomu left Xinjing City, according to Chen Xiaomu's instructions, Zhou Huiniang took her several personal maids who were originally in the mansion to live in this large mansion. The door was closed all day long, and few people were seen coming in or out. This mansion didn't even take off the plaque with the word "Zhang Mansion" hanging on the lintel. Before leaving, Chen Xiaomu asked Commander Zheng, who stayed behind to maintain public security in the city, not to allow anyone to approach the mansion. Therefore, it took such a long time. Almost no one dared to touch the edge of this yard.
Under Li Gui's guidance, the three people walked through several bustling streets and came to an alley. Li Gui pointed to the winding path in the alley and said to Chen Xiaomu, Mr. Chen, if we go in through this alley, we have to go around. If you take the road here and go past the lobby of the prefect's Yamen, you can reach the gate of the mansion. "Li Gui said and pointed to a tall building with gray bricks and gray tiles next to the alley surrounded by a wall as high as two people.
"Did the new prefect take office so soon?" Chen Xiaomu asked curiously.
"Who knows?" Li Gui shook his head.
After pondering for a while, Chen Xiaomu pointed to the entrance of the alley and said to Li Gui, "Forget it, let's go in through this alley. Let's take a detour. We don't know this person, so we just want to take a shortcut by breaking into their lobby." , it won’t sound good if it gets spread out.”
So Li Gui was in front, Chen Xiaomu was in the middle, and He Quan followed the file into the alley that could only accommodate two people walking side by side. On the left was the wall of the prefect's Yamen and on the right were the jagged civilian houses in the city. The further inside, the alley seemed to become more and more... It was so narrow that in some places it was barely enough for a person to pass by against the wall. Chen Xiaomu was really afraid that he would end up in a dead end while walking.
He couldn't help but murmured in a low voice: "These people are really scoundrels. It's probably not easy to move to such a narrow alley. The prefect's office is right next to here. Why don't you care about these people and let them occupy the road?" !”
Li Gui turned around and smiled when he heard this: "Mr. Chen, you are wrong! It's really not the fault of the people here that such a narrow alley is left. I have been here several times when I was in the Royal Forest Army. At that time, this place It is not the seat of the prefect’s yamen, but a wealthy family named Zhuang lives here in Xinjing City. Xinjing City was captured by the Chu army a few months ago. Zhang Yong relied on the power of the Chu people to rise several levels in a row and sit in Xinjing City. As for the position of magistrate, I heard that he had been optimistic about this place when he was the county magistrate. When he became the magistrate, he took advantage of the war and chaos to accuse the rich man named Zhuang of being a remnant of the Zheng Kingdom. Hundreds of people in the family, including the children who were crying for food, were all taken to Mangdang Mountain outside the city and killed. After he took over the big house, he divided it into two and transformed the front three courtyards into the magistrate's lobby. , and the place where he performed official business. The three courtyards behind it became the inner residence of his wife, children, and children. A two-horse carriage could have been walked into this alley. After Zhang Yong killed the whole family of this wealthy family named Zhuang, he was afraid that some of the Zhuang family would be ruined. Net, looking for him to take revenge, so he hired masons to pull up the high wall day and night, and pulled almost all of the alleyway that was more than a foot wide into his house!"
Chen Xiaomu couldn't help but sigh: "It seems that this bastard Zhang Yong really deserved his death. It's a pity that his son Zhang Tong, who was among the Zheng army, has not been caught yet. However, this matter is not urgent. We will catch him in the future when the whole country of Zheng is stabilized." It’s not too late for him. As the saying goes, a small thing can’t bear to mess with a big plan.”
The three of them walked in the alley with twists and turns for a long time. There were places where they couldn't squeeze through, so they had to find a way around in the nearby houses. Seeing that they could see the alley in front, He Quan suddenly said softly from behind. Pulling the hem of his clothes, Chen Xiaomu turned around and was about to ask, when He Quanshu quickly raised his index finger and quietly moved it to his lips, then silently pointed at a locust tree opposite the alleyway, which was about the size of a couple hugging each other.
Chen Xiaomu looked in the direction of his finger. There seemed to be a black shadow hanging on the locust tree among the crisscrossing branches. From a distance, it looked like a huge bird's nest. At this time, Li Guiji stepped out of the alley, and the black shadow on the locust tree The shadow moved slightly, and Chen Xiaomu suddenly realized what he was doing. He pushed He Quan behind him slightly, and then hurriedly caught up with Li Gui who was walking in front. When he heard the sound of wind behind his footsteps, Li Gui turned around and saw Chen Xiaomu hurriedly When he caught up with him, he didn't see He Quan behind him. Just when he was about to ask, he saw Chen Xiaomu blinking at him desperately! Li Gui couldn't help but feel that something was going to happen.
At this time, Chen Xiaomu walked side by side with him. He tried hard not to let the people in the tree notice that his lips were moving, and muttered in his throat: "Be careful of the spy! Just go up and knock on the door."
He did not dare to tell Li Gui directly that there was someone in the tree, for fear that Li Gui would subconsciously raise his head and look up the tree. As he spoke, the two of them walked side by side across a narrow path between the government office and the house, and stood in a room with carved beams and painted beams on the lintel. Under the horizontal plaque with the word "Zhang Mansion", the two black doors in front of him were tightly closed. Li Gui reached out and picked up the door knocker in the mouth of the mythical beast on the door and knocked twice. After waiting for a moment, he seemed to hear something from the courtyard. There was the sound of someone tiptoeing inside.
Li Gui patiently picked up the door knocker from the mythical beast's mouth again and knocked twice, but this time he knocked harder. There was still no movement in the yard. Chen Xiaomu put Jingjing's ear between the two doors. Through the crack of the door, he seemed to hear the voices of two women whispering in the yard.
Chen Xiaomu pulled Li Gui down the steps in front of the door. His posture made it look like he was about to leave. The two of them walked down the steps and took a few steps forward. Chen Xiaomu suddenly left Li Gui aside, turned around and started running, rushing to the two sides. In front of the big black door, he suddenly raised his right foot and pointed it at the door. "Bang, bang" was both feet.
This time, a middle-aged woman's high-pitched voice finally sounded from the door, "Hey, who is this? Don't you know where this place is? Are you dying?" Following a burst of footsteps, the door creaked from the middle. A crack was opened, and the head of a woman who looked to be in her thirties protruded from inside. She had a sharp mouth and monkey cheeks. Her face was covered with a thick layer of powder, and her lips were painted scarlet, as if she had just eaten a dead person.
Chen Xiaomu was stunned. She was not Zhou Huiniang, and she didn't look like Zhou Huiniang's maid. Could it be that she was Zhou Huiniang's newly hired servant to do menial work? But most of the servants who do menial work come from poor families, so it’s almost impossible to dress up like this?
