In order to stabilize Zhao Huajun, Shao Xi went on to say to him: "Master Zhao, you can rest assured that I have recently pioneered bamboo paper manufacturing and movable type printing in Daliang City, and the bookstores I have opened will become prosperous industries all over the world in the future. , it will naturally be widely promoted in Yujiang County, and it will certainly compensate for Yujiang County’s small losses in the yarn industry. Mr. Zhao still has a very long-term vision.”
To a certain extent, Shao Xi did not lie to him, but told the truth. However, it is indeed too difficult for people like Zhao Huajun to give up the huge benefits in front of them and expect how much profit an industry that has not yet been determined can bring to them.
As a vested interest in Yujiang County, how could he expect those illusory things? He just wanted to grab the wealth in front of him.
Now that he has made the most extreme plan, Zhao Huajun feels a lot more relaxed at this time. Since the other party is so greedy, it is better to just pretend to be generous. What you take away now will be taken back together with your life later, so there is no pressure to talk empty words.
"To be honest, the cloud yarn industry is indeed the source of nearly 50% of the county's fiscal revenue. However, since Mr. Shao has the emperor's mandate, the subordinates naturally dare not violate it. I hope that Mr. Shao can keep his word and in the future The part of the industry you mentioned can benefit our Yujiang County, and it is not in vain that Xiaguan endured the pain and made this decision today. In the future, we will rely on Mr. Shao to take care of our Yujiang County. Xiaguan will be here to represent Yujiang County All the officials and people in the area thanked you in advance."
Shao Xi nodded with satisfaction and said in his heart: "You are indeed right in your beautiful words. Now your heart is bleeding. Do you think I don't know? You will never willingly give up this part of your interests to others. Don't think I don't know you." What are you planning?"
No matter what Zhao Huajun is thinking at this time, Shao Xi only wants him to agree first on the surface. At least the yarn tax issue will be solved after the Yunsha Industry is taken over.
As for what tricks the Zhao family wants to play in the future, just let them do it. Shao Xi knows very well that things will not be that simple, and the Zhao family will take action sooner or later.
"Sir Zhao is indeed a loyal and good minister who cares about the country and the country. When I return to Kyoto, I will tell you how loyal and patriotic Mr. Zhao is to the Holy Emperor. A wise minister like Mr. Zhao must come to the Holy Sage." There are awards.”
Zhao Huajun stood up in a pretense, bowed his hands to Shao Xi, and said with fake gratitude: "If you can share the worries of the Holy Master, you can contribute a small amount to our Jingyuan Dynasty, and I will not waste my life as a low-ranking official. If Master Shao can be in front of the Holy Master, I would like to say a few kind words for you, and I will be forever grateful. I would like to thank you in advance, Mr. Shao. From now on, whenever your Excellency has instructions, I will give my best consideration, do my best, and fully cooperate."
Shao Xi nodded again and waved for Zhao Huajun to sit down.
No matter how many small moves both sides make in private, that will all happen later. For now, at least on the surface, they must suppress the other party. First, they must do everything they can do in public. For those shady things, it depends on whose method is more sinister. It's so cruel, but before you fall out, you still have to do some superficial work.
Just as the three of them were talking about this, Zhao Bin had already rushed back with the banknotes. After coming in, he first saluted the three of them, then put the banknote in Zhao Huajun's hand without saying a word, and walked out knowingly.
Shao Xi watched Zhao Bin leave and thought about an official in the county who was in charge of money and food. He asked the county governor for two thousand gold and silver notes and just handed them over without asking. This shows that this person must be the person in charge of the finance of the Zhao family. As a person, Zhao Huajun obeys everything, and he is still a financial official in the county. The treasury of Yujiang County has become the private treasury of the Zhao family, and Yujiang County has become the private property of the Zhao family.
Zhao Huajun handed the thick stack of banknotes on the table to Shao Xi with both hands.
"Sir Shao, this is a small piece of my heart expressed to you by the officials on behalf of the officials and the people of this county. Please accept it. I rely on Mr. Shao to take care of me in the future."
Regardless of whether he should send someone to attack Shao Xi or not, Zhao Huajun must use at least two thousand gold to buy Shao Xi out first.
After all, he still has to rely on Shao Xi to help him suppress Cui Qi and others. After the conflict between the two parties intensifies, he will choose an opportunity to attack these two people. At that time, he can take the opportunity to push the matter onto Cui Qi and others, killing two birds with one stone. Eradicate both sides together.
This Zhao Huajun is so bold that he dares to think about eradicating the officials who come to the capital for inspection and inspection. This shows how big the Zhao family has become in Yujiang County! It is true that money moves people's hearts, and the desire for profit makes people crazy, but he doesn't know what kind of fatal disaster his Zhao family will suffer in the future.
Shao Xi looked at the banknote in Zhao Huajun's hand. If it had been at the time, Shao Xi would have drooled when he saw these two thousand gold coins.
But it's different now, not only because he already has a lot of property in Daliang City, but also because he has seen wealth before and knows that wealth can bring happiness to people, but it can also bring disaster to people.
Shao Xi has always adhered to the belief that a gentleman loves money and gets it in a proper way. Even if he holds these ill-gotten gains, he will feel hot to the touch. But now that he has to disguise himself to confuse the Zhao family, if he doesn't show greed, won't he reveal his secret?
It is better to accept it for now, but Shao Xi does not intend to spend the money himself. In the future, these will be evidence of the Zhao family bribing officials in the DPRK.
Shao Xi did not reach out to pick it up, but just glanced at Old Wu. Old Wu understood Shao Xi's intention, so he reached out to take the stack of banknotes and put them into his arms, and nodded to Zhao Huajun.
"It's easy to talk to smart people. Mr. Zhao is a smart man, and we are not confused. Since Mr. Zhao is so sincere, we should do what we should do. We will see what we should see, and we will see what we shouldn't see. Of course, we can’t see it. As long as Mr. Zhao can fulfill his promise as promised, our words will naturally count. Please rest assured, Mr. Zhao.”
Zhao Huajun quickly handed over his hands and said with an attentive face: "Then we all rely on the two adults. The things promised by the official will naturally be fulfilled as promised. As for the two adults, the official is not worried. It can be seen that the two adults are honest. man of."
The conversation was basically over at this point. Shao Xi was too lazy to talk about the polite nonsense anymore, so he stood up and left.
Zhao Huajun sent Shao Xi and Shao Xi out of the yamen all the way. When he walked to the door, he asked with concern: "You two adults have been tired all the way. Why don't you let me arrange a place for you two adults instead of living in a post house?" Well, if your lords have any needs later, I will send someone to try my best to arrange it. I wonder what you two lords would like?"
Shao Xi waved his hand and said, "No need. I think Yushui County Magistrate Zhao Xing has told you that I still have to rush back to Yushui Town every day. If something happens, I will come over. If nothing happens, I will stay there." While accompanying Sha Nu, if Mr. Zhao finds it inconvenient to find me, please let Mr. Wu stay here! He is here the same as I am here."
Of course Zhao Huajun knew who Shao Xi was looking for when he returned to Yushui Town. Zhao Xing had already told him all the circumstances. As he expected, Shao Xi had to rush back to Yujiang Town every day, which was exactly what he wanted. If Shao Xi stayed in Yujiang City every day, it would be inconvenient for him to arrange many things. Now he stays here With such a bad old man here, you don't think it will cause any hindrance to him?
"I didn't expect that Mr. Shao, a young and romantic man, thousands of miles away from Kyoto, would have such a confidante in Yushui Town. It's really enviable! Then according to Mr. Shao's wishes, I will definitely arrange Mr. Wu properly. Fit properly and comfortably.”
"Then I'd like to thank Mr. Zhao. I'll take my leave now. I'll come back to the city tomorrow. I'd really like to go and meet Cui Juncheng for a while."
When Zhao Huajun heard that Shao Xi was coming to the city to find Cui Qi tomorrow, he secretly gloated. Thinking that if he paid the money, someone would do it for him. He couldn't suppress Cui Qi directly, but now this young Kyoto official could be used by him. He couldn't help but feel proud in his heart.
After a few brief exchanges with Lao Wu, Shao Xi left Yujiang City alone and returned to Yushui Town by boat again. Zhao Huajun sent someone to take Old Wu to a different courtyard to stay, and told him that all expenses incurred by Old Wu in the city these days would be recorded in the government's account, and Old Wu could not be allowed to spend money on his own.
After seeing off Shao Xi and Lao Wu, Zhao Huajun returned to the back hall with a gloomy face. He called Gao Can and Zhao Bin to the tea room, and ordered people to call the official Zhao Hansi and the superintendent Zhao Huafei.
"Hmph! I'm really greedy. I have a big appetite. I want to eat half of my Yujiang County in one bite. Our Zhao family has been operating here for nearly twenty years. It's not easy to get to where we are today. We have opened up this way of making money. Now, When they come and say they want to take it away, won’t they cut off our Zhao family’s livelihood? I don’t intend to swallow this cowardice, what do you think?”
Gao Can is a relative of the Zhao family, but he is also the one with the most bad ideas. Seeing Zhao Huajun's furious look, he quickly stepped forward to comfort him.
"I think your lord's intention is not to let them take over our Yunsha industry, but these two people have the emperor's mandate, and we cannot directly violate it. Although your lord's idea is a bit risky, I think it is still feasible. .”
"Then tell me what you think!"
"As your Excellency just thought, we can use these two people to suppress Cui Qi, Sun Jue and others. It doesn't matter to what extent we suppress them, as long as they create conflicts. When the time is right, we only need to arrange them The two parties met once, and when they broke up, they sent someone to attack the two people from Kyoto. After the matter was done, Cui Qi and others could take away their power and take them into custody on the grounds that they had conflicts with Kyoto officials, and then made some arrangements By eradicating the evidence of their crimes, they can be blamed for killing the officials in the capital and destroying the edicts of the Holy Emperor. This is a plan that kills two birds with one stone. In this way, these two forces can be eradicated at the same time. From then on, our Zhao family will be in Yujiang County again. No obstacles.”
Zhao Huajun nodded and said: "It's almost what I thought, but I only met them once today and don't know their details. You should keep an eye on the old guy named Wu these days and observe his daily behavior. , character, lest they are sent from Kyoto to secretly investigate us, it is better to be on guard."
"Don't worry, sir, we will arrange these things properly, just leave it to us."
