In the early summer of April, Xiyuan, Changping Platform.
Wu clan songs, dances and tricks are being performed on the stage, and the queen of the current dynasty and the legendary eldest princess are sitting side by side to watch... The queen comes from the orthodox legacy of the previous royal family in Nanchen in the south, and she married the current emperor early on. She has been married for more than 20 years and is competing for the hearts of Jiangnan. Needless to say, the eldest princess is the empress dowager of the previous dynasty and the saint's direct eldest sister. After all the saint's brothers died, she is the only one of the saint. Blood kiss.
The two of them sat side by side, with only three or four concubines and princesses accompanying them. Bai Yousi, the eldest daughter of the British Duke, was passing by on official business, and she was also holding a sword to accompany him.
At the same time, not far from the stage, Fulongwei deputy inspector Zhang Xing was wearing a dark moire brocade dress, a small crown and a tassel tie, an embroidered scimitar set, and a black ribbon slung across his body. He was also wearing a similar seven-piece dress. Eight Fulongwei subordinates stood on the spot without squinting.
However, neither Zhang Xing nor the seven or eight Fulong Guards looked at the two on the stage.
Are you kidding me?
The saint has reached five, the queen has also reached five, and she has several grandchildren. The eldest princess has officially entered the fifty mark this year. Her favorite granddaughter just died last year. Why are you looking at her? Beheaded by a small book?
In contrast, directly opposite Fulongwei and his party, there were forty or fifty young and beautiful maids, half in palace clothes and half in men's clothes, looking at each other curiously and whispering.
And this again caused the Fulong Guards behind Zhang Xing to raise their heads and protrude their bellies, becoming even more awe-inspiring.
Duan is an image of a heroic and powerful official.
However, although Zhang Xing's eyes are the same as those of others, his mind may not be the same... What he thinks is that although the existence of the spiritual path allows women to gain the key to core power in theory, in fact, the physical strength of men in agricultural societies The advantage is there, it still monopolizes agricultural production and military responsibilities, and still forms a typical ideology of male superiority and female inferiority.
As for the principles of spiritual practice, on the surface it is completely fair, but in fact it will only be more harsh on women.
Without him, class nature affects everyone from top to bottom all the time. Even boys from poor families have a hard time getting a chance to follow the path of spiritual practice, let alone girls? This makes the female channel, which was theoretically the smoothest, appear more closed.
In fact, Zhang Xing thought to himself, he had been in this world for more than a year, and the women he saw along the way, Bai Yousi was certainly the old lady from Qingtian who was in front of his eyes all day long, no one dared to ignore her. But since her time, there have been few convincing ones.
For example, although Zhang Shiniang has some opinions, it is only on personal issues. She is far behind in other aspects, and even on personal issues, Li Ding still takes the lead. The reason is simply that she was originally an assassin who was raised by a wealthy family, so she is a bit biased in terms of personality and knowledge.
The assassins and masters of the Southern True Fire Sect are even more standard sects.
On the list of heroines, many of the cases and people handled were orphans, or there just happened to be no boys in the family, so they were forced to embark on the path of heroines.
So now, with so many young and beautiful maids and female officials together, it certainly looks spectacular, but if you think about it carefully, all the elite women here are undoubtedly just the most powerful people in the world - vassals of the royal family. .
Therefore, the so-called key is only a theoretical key. It is specially opened by women who have achieved extreme achievements in their spiritual practice, such as the Red Emperor Empress, the Grand Lady of Nanling, and Bai Yousi, and then at most affect some social trends. Let women act a little more openly in society.
It can only be said that wherever the revolutionary cause of women's liberation is pursued, there is still a long way to go.
Of course, I can be considered a vassal of this noble lady Bai Yousi, right? It seems that you are not qualified to laugh at others.
While the old reflector was reflecting, Bai Da Changjian, the symbol of women's liberation, had already come down from the stage with a smile, and there was a dagger inlaid with pearls in his hand. When he saw Zhang Xing and his group standing there as bamboo poles, he just waved his hand, Then he led a group of men and turned back toward the willow forest.
On the surface, the old woman seemed to be in a good mood, but Zhang Xing clearly noticed the stiffness in the other person's face when she came down. He just took care of the other person's emotions and did not speak outside.
Sure enough, when they returned to Yangliu Forest, the queue was dismissed, and as soon as they boarded the second floor of the White Tower, the female regular inspector immediately stopped covering up, and her face became a little depressed, which was almost visible to the naked eye.
"I'm afraid I'm going to lose again this time." Bai Yousi threw the pearl-encrusted dagger on the case casually, ignoring Xiao Zhou who was around to help him fill out the form, and spoke frankly. "The eldest princess is actually very perfunctory and seems unwilling to ask about this matter. Although the queen agreed, she also hinted that your majesty may not listen to her words."
"The largest gold and silver business in the North City belongs to Princess Dachang. For her, this wave is a huge profit from the sky." Zhang Xing was not surprised. "On the other hand, the Queen, I thought the Queen and His Majesty were quite deeply in love as a couple, but I thought that Your Majesty wouldn't listen without even trying to persuade me. I don't know if they are actually not on good terms with each other, or maybe they are too harmonious, and they know His Majesty's temper?"
Bai Yousi nodded, then shook his head.
"What do you mean?" Zhang Xing was confused for a moment.
"Nodding means that what you said is probably right." Bai Yousi said sadly. "I shake my head to say that both the eldest princess and the queen actually have some hidden secrets. They were not originally like this..."
"That's right." Zhang Xing thought about the experiences of these two people and sighed. "Whose girl wasn't still a pearly figure back then? But once she gets married, she will inevitably become a dead fish-eye. If she gets involved in a political power struggle, she will inevitably become a black fish-eye again."
Bai Yousi thought this metaphor was a bit vulgar at first, but after thinking about it, he didn't argue.
In fact, some words and things are difficult to say, but everyone understands and knows them.
For example, the eldest princess.
I think back then, when the eldest princess was the queen of the previous dynasty, she was famous for being wise and stubborn. When her husband died, her husband's only son was only seven years old, and she was quite famous as the empress dowager of Bingguo... But what happened? ? It turned out that his own father, who was the prime minister, usurped the position of his adopted son within two years and killed the nine-year-old adopted son afterwards.
So she changed from the empress dowager to the eldest princess, and she only had one daughter left.
Who can handle this kind of thing calmly?
All I can say is that fortunately the son is not his biological son.
When the Wei Dynasty was established, the late emperor wanted his eldest daughter to remarry at first. However, the eldest princess, who was less than thirty years old, became disheartened at that time and only guarded her one daughter through middle age and menopause... In the end, she saw Seeing his father and mother dead, and his brothers fighting back and forth until only one was left, he lost all thought.
Basically, from the time her daughter got married, the eldest princess had only one intention, which was to make money and gain official positions for her daughter and son-in-law's family.
Her son-in-law Ma Rui became the Shangzhuguo directly on the second day after his wedding, which was the only one in the world.
As for the queen, it was actually a bit embarrassing.
The main reason is that the late emperor was famously afraid of his wife. When the late queen mother was alive, she was the most majestic one in the family, not to mention several sons. The late emperor, the dignified founder of the country, favored a woman. As a result, the woman was killed that day, and she also I could only be so depressed that I rode out of the palace to hide from people crying... In this case, how could the saint who worked hard to win the title of prince from his eldest brother dare to treat the queen badly?
It is precisely because of this that after the death of the old queen, the relationship between the saint and the queen became subtle. Anyway, the saint has not had any legitimate sons and daughters since then. No one knows whether menopause suddenly hit the couple and everyone was naturally disgusted with it, or whether it was just a disguise... I can only say that it seems to be fine on the surface.
"Speak of it."
In a moment of silence, Zhang Xing was thinking about it. Suddenly he thought of an interesting point and blurted it out. "Always check to avoid misunderstandings... But I really want to know how our saint is with women?"
Zhou Xingfan behind him raised his head, then stood up with a few forms expressionlessly, turned around and left naturally, as if he was going to find someone to check.
Bai Yousi retracted his gaze from Xiao Zhou's back and answered seriously: "It's strange... In the ten years before he ascended the throne, there were selections of Jianghuai beauties every year, and favored concubines appeared many times. But in the past three or four years, Instead, it gradually became less and less...Why do you ask?"
Zhang Xing opened his mouth as if to say something, but was too embarrassed to say it.
"What?" Bai Yousi was keenly aware of the other party's weirdness.
"Is there a possibility? For ordinary people, being tired in middle age is a blessing, but for a saint, it is retribution from the country?" Zhang Xing asked seriously. "The saint used to indulge in wine and sex, and relaxed state affairs a little, so it was natural that the Wei Dynasty did not cause any trouble. In recent years, as he got older, he gradually became unable to do what he wanted, and he could not toss in wine and sex, so he turned to national affairs. The result was counterproductive... Saints don't cultivate immortality, right? This can't be maintained by cultivation, right?"
Bai Yousi wanted to scold the other party for being ridiculous, but after thinking about it carefully, it seemed to make sense. But after thinking about it again, it was still ridiculous, so he simply became speechless.
Zhang Xing also felt that this complaint was a bit too real and embarrassing, so he said no more.
In this way, the two of them each had a little complicated thoughts, just sitting in the white tower in the willow forest, waiting for news.
In the afternoon, when dark clouds began to rise and the sky became dull, Miss Bai got the right word. A woman dressed in men's clothing with a delicate and beautiful face came over and secretly stated to Bai Yousi the original words of the saint relayed by the queen - - "This is not your business."
After the female historian finished speaking, she blushed and ran away from the White Tower, as if she couldn't stand so many men gathering together.
Bai Yousi was left silent for a while, and then he asked with a half-smile: "This is not something you should ask... Zhang Xing, do you think the saint knows that I asked the queen to ask?"
Zhang Xing shook his head: "I don't know."
He really doesn't know.
But it doesn't matter. Facts have proved that Bai Yousi's surprise attack tactics completely failed... In the evening, the news brought back by Qin Bao after returning from his shift verified this. In Nanya, he actually lost the last trace of dignity to the saint. Later, Zhang Han communicated directly with the saints in Ouchi in Nanya, and easily passed one absurd but realistic Nanya "Jun Order" one after another.
It turned out that at noon today, long before Bai Yousi got that reply, the gold and silver collection order that had been brewing for several days had been officially passed.
And it will be implemented quickly.
In the words of Zhang Han, Mr. Zhang did not want to exploit the gold and silver of the soldiers and the people... For example, the officials only wanted gold or silver equivalent to a month's salary. What did it count? If you are not willing to donate even one month's salary, how can you dare to claim to be loyal to the emperor and patriotic?
You must know that the Great Golden Pillar itself is not trivial. It not only represents the virtues of the Three Brilliance, but also represents the authority of the saint. Once it is established, it will be an important proof that the saint has single-handedly set the center of heaven and earth... Therefore, all over the world must It is only necessary to express support for the saint's move.
What he heard seemed to make sense, especially when Qin Bao, an honest boy, relayed it seriously, and everyone seemed to have nothing to say.
However, Zhang Xing, who had been prepared early that day, announced that he had prepared gold and silver in advance... There were 1,560 people in Fulongwei, who were accumulated according to their salaries and exchanged according to the official price. They all had gold and silver. After the superiors came to collect them... Fulongwei still hinted at a possibility with cheers.
No one wants to give even one month's salary to the saint.
And just when the Fulong Guards were thanking Zhang Sanlang profusely, the real Fulong Guards, Chang Jian, Bai Yousi, just remained silent and chose to leave silently amidst the muffled thunder in early summer.
Of course, she didn't dislike Zhang Xing for taking the spotlight and winning people's hearts. After all, after things really came to this point, she couldn't help but feel frustrated because her efforts failed.
Moreover, she is not a fool.
Neither is Zhang Xing, nor is most of the people in Fulongwei.
Everyone knows very well that it would be fine if the entire country were to deduct one month's salary, but it requires gold and silver, government prices, and large-scale collection in a short period of time. This is not a matter of one month's salary.
The most direct point is, what do you mean by official price and market price?
The official price is one tael of gold, ten taels of silver, and ten guan of copper coins. What is the actual price? In the normal market before the decree was issued, one tael of gold was exchanged for more than a dozen taels of silver for twenty copper coins.
If this creates large-scale demand, it will inevitably trigger a linkage effect... Especially in Dongdu, a place where the largest number of officials gather, where will everyone go to find gold and silver?
And who is willing to hand over two or three months of salary for nothing?
In the end, officials will be forced to rush to the people to find them.
But once this gap is opened, which yamen can buy and sell equally? I usually eat your buns for nothing, let alone someone with a high-profile name coming to dig into your family fortune?
In name, hundreds of officials and barbarians came to pay this money to show their loyalty to the saint. It seemed like a face-saving project, but in fact, it was likely to turn into a plundering spree that would make the civil and military officials across the country completely red-eyed.
"Fortunately, the Chang Jian and the Deputy Chang Jian were well prepared, otherwise their salary would have been gone in two months." The new White Ribbon Wang Zhen was a man who had been in the market, and later became a soldier. He first became a soldier, and then transferred to the Fulong Guard. , at this time, rushing to have dinner on the porch before it rained, I couldn't help but take the initiative to show my loyalty.
"Indeed, the test has been done. I'll just wait until I come up tomorrow to save myself the trouble." Zhou Xingfan also looked a little nervous. "But it's so simple here in Fulongwei. I'm afraid that when I get to Jingjiehu, I won't be able to hold on anymore, and I'm afraid I'm going to blackmail the merchants directly... There's no need to even blackmail, I just need to force the merchants to exchange at the official price, and go there myself privately If you exchange it at the market price and walk two extra rounds, you will rob the merchant of gold and silver."
"The Street Cleaning Tigers must be the first to search, and they are also the most noisy. That's what they do." Qin Bao, who was wearing a white ribbon, replied solemnly. "But when it comes to hierarchy, I think something will go wrong from the Jinyi Patrol and the Six Divisions."
"Isn't that true?" Not only Zhou Xingfan, but also Wang Zhen were a little unbelievable. "Who do you want for the patrol? The six departments are all Yuanwailang, quite respectable officials from the capital... But it's hard to say with the local officials."
"Just watch!" Qin Bao glanced at Zhang Xing, who was eating a plate of sauced meat without saying a word, and insisted on his judgment. "I really don't think the Jinyi Patrol Team can be stable."
Everyone was talking and arguing for a while.
However, at this moment, suddenly, there were hurried footsteps outside the willow forest, and then a familiar face led a group of Jinwu Guards into the small courtyard under the White Tower, which made the Fulong Guards who were still dining in the corridor a little confused. Caught off guard.
"Why are you eating? Are the gold and silver ready?" Gao Dugong looked hasty and impatient. "Everyone in Beiya is the most loyal to the saint. We must gather them all before tonight, and then deliver the meeting to the saint in person..."
Qin Bao and others looked at each other in confusion, and then all looked at Zhang Xing, who just took his time and ate the sauced meat seriously.
"What's wrong?" Seeing this, Duke Gao stepped forward, his tone became high-pitched, and his posture suddenly became awe-inspiring. "Don't tell me that you Fulongwei didn't know about this in advance and make preparations early. You should be the first to know, okay? I tell you, there can't be any mistakes here in Beiya. If something is missed from you, that's it. I won’t spare Miss Bai’s face either!”
Zhang Xing ate another piece of meat from the plate with an expressionless expression, then stood up, wiped his mouth, and responded calmly: "Gao Dugong is overthinking, we have already packed everything, and we were thinking of leaving as soon as the meal on the verandah is over." We are sending it to the Black Tower... Mr. Gao Du is so diligent, do you want to come with us?"
Gao Jiang was slightly startled, then laughed: "We are so busy and confused... we actually forgot that Fulongwei belongs to Jing'antai, so I won't bother you."
As he said that, he actually raised his hand slightly, then turned around and hurried away.
It looks like he wants to personally supervise and complete all the targets today.
On the other side, as Zhang Xing sat down calmly, the Fulong Guards in the corridor were no longer as relaxed as before - even Qin Bao didn't expect that even the Fulong Guards stationed in Xiyuan were almost forced to surrender. Two cents.
Let alone anywhere else?
Let alone going down?
In the dull air pressure, there was a sudden thunder above the corridor, and the Xia Yu that reminded people of unpleasant memories started again.
When the summer showers first started, they were intense and rapid, and the visibility dropped by more than one level. After a while, the rain gradually slowed down, the field of vision recovered slightly, and everyone breathed a sigh of relief.
But everyone was sitting on the porch, with rainwater all over their bodies and in their dishes.
It doesn’t matter on the body, who in Fulongwei is not a practicing Taoist? Even Deputy Changjian Zhang is said to have reached the end of his true meridian.
At this time, Zhang Xing looked at the meat dipped in sauce on the plate, and finally looked around and sneered: "The world is so big that there is no room for a stable dining table?"
No one answered.
PS: Good afternoon everyone.
