Zhang Juzheng remained silent after hearing this, not knowing what he was thinking.
To say that there are more than a hundred people in this house, from family members to servants and maids, so the expenses for so many people to eat and drink, and not to lose the face of a bachelor, the cost is naturally not a small amount. Zhang Juzheng's salary alone is definitely not enough. Even if the emperor sometimes gives a little extra reward, it is not regular, and the emperor himself does not have much spare money, so it is very limited.
In fact, most of the income of officials in the capital usually comes from the filial piety of their disciples or local officials, such as Bing Jing and Tan Jing. Unfortunately, Zhang Juzheng didn't like to run a business before. Usually, he would only be polite and accept some gifts and miscellaneous items from his close classmates and disciples, and accept them half-heartedly. People who follow his methods will most likely end up in trouble.
It's not that Zhang Juzheng doesn't love money, but that although he has been in officialdom for a long time, he is a man who wants to do great things to help the country and the world, so he will never let anything go before he has the power. As a result, his financial situation is rarely easy. In order to save money, he sometimes wanted to reduce the number of servants, but whether it was the bearers who carried the sedan chair, the craftsmen who tended the garden, the cooks who cooked, the wet nurses who took care of the children, the bookboys in the outer courtyard, and the maids in the inner courtyard, After all the calculations, it seems that no one can be eliminated.
Zhang Juzheng felt that to achieve his position, he still had to have the necessary pomp, because it was not only related to his own face, but also related to the dignity of the court - all the dignitaries and ministers in the cabinet were like Gao Gong, and the government was just like that Three or two big cats and kittens, what do they look like!
What's more, he felt it was unfair to compare him with Gao Gong. Zhang Juzheng had six sons, but Gao Gong had none. After this revolt, he only had a nephew who stayed with him. How many maids and servants are missing?
Therefore, Zhang Juzheng is now afraid of talking about the word "money", but fortunately You Qi is a capable person. Because of his proper planning, the family finally did not reach the point where the family could not make ends meet and was exhausted.
In fact, Zhang Juzheng sometimes heard that You Qi had accepted gifts from some local officials behind his back. He had to give a few stern warnings, but he did not pursue the matter further. After all, for such a big family, all the expenses have to be maintained by You Qi. If you really don't want to collect even one tael of silver, you, a high-ranking minister, can't borrow debt to live, right? Moreover, Zhang Juzheng felt that without his own nod, You Qi would not dare to make the decision without his own consent for a truly large amount of gift money.
"Expenses are tight, so save money." Zhang Juzheng said slowly, and then asked: "Is there anything else?"
You Qi hesitated for a moment and then said cautiously: "Today, Mr. Xu sent someone to ask for a meeting. He said that Hai Rui was refusing to give up, and Gao Huzi sent someone again..."
Before You Qi could finish speaking, another concierge came in and reported: "Sir, there is a man who calls himself Xu Jue and wants to see him. He said that you will definitely meet him after hearing his name."
"Xu Jue? Please come!" Zhang Juzheng immediately sat up straight, waved his hand and said to You Qi: "We will talk about the old minister's matter later."
You Qi nodded and followed the concierge outside to greet the guests. After a while, You Qi led two people back to the study. As soon as he entered the door, he said excitedly: "Master, it is Governor Feng who is here in person."
"Ah!" Zhang Juzheng was shocked and quickly stood up to greet him. Because my family was talking just now, there was only one candle in the study room, and the light was dim, so I couldn't see who was coming. At this moment, the book boy was busy lighting the octagonal exquisite palace lantern. Under the bright lights, Feng Bao was seen wearing a straight green cloth, a sheepskin cloak on the outside, and a black Tang scarf on his head. He was dressed like an ordinary passerby. There was no trace of the Secretary of Ceremony Bingbi and Dongchangchang. The prestige of the governor.
Feng Bao bowed his hands to Zhang Juzheng, showed an incomprehensible smile, and said: "Mr. Taiyue, Mr. Feng has taken the liberty to come to visit, and I also hope to see Haihan."
"Hey, Mr. Feng, what are you talking about?" Zhang Juzheng gave up his seat and returned the courtesy, while agreeing: "Just now, the concierge only said that Manager Xu was here. If I had known earlier that it was you, I would have opened the middle door wide and went out to greet him personally. It’s so disrespectful, so disrespectful.”
Feng Bao showed a satisfied smile on his face, raised the corner of his robe, leaned down and sat down, and said with a smile: "Master Taiyue, you don't need to be polite. This is what our family ordered Xu Jue to do, so as not to spread the word among others and spread the word." "
Not so good?
The governor of the East Factory secretly met with the cabinet bachelor late at night. Isn't it just "not good" if this kind of thing spreads? That’s a huge disadvantage!
"Mr. Feng, I wonder why you are here?" Zhang Juzheng knew that Feng Bao's personal visit was definitely not without purpose, so he was not polite and asked him about his purpose straight to the point.
Feng Bao stopped his smile, looked into Zhang Juzheng's eyes, and said: "In the past few days, Zeng Jiaqing's disciple Cao Daye and my butler Xu Jue met three times and asked about the situation in the palace..."
"囧Qing" is another name for Taipusiqing. The original meaning of the word "囧" is "light", which is actually completely different from the connotation of the Internet term in later generations.
Zhang Juzheng was calm and nodded, but said nothing.
Feng Bao smiled and said bluntly: "Who is he, Cao Daye, who wants to know what is going on in the palace? I think even Zeng Yanqing would not be interested in such gossip in the palace, but Mr. Taiyue... you may need it. Learn about."
"Oh?" Zhang Juzheng also smiled: "Why do I need to understand it?"
Feng Bao raised his eyebrows and asked: "Mr. Taiyue's words are not very sincere - do you think Zhao Dazhou can withstand the tall beard?"
Zhang Juzheng's smile faded slightly and he said calmly: "Zhao Dazhou's method is extremely stupid. Naturally, it cannot stand up to Duke Zhongxuan, but what does that matter? There are also Li Shilu (Li Chunfang, also known as Shilu), Chen Songgu (Chen Yiqin, also known as Chen Yiqin) Song Gu) Er Gong?"
Feng Gong showed disdain and sneered: "If Zhao Dazhou is defeated, can Li Shilu, the chief assistant, continue to work?"
Zhang Juzheng didn't speak. This was not because he objected to Feng Bao's words. The main reason was that he was very disgusted with Li Chunfang in his heart. After all, Zhang Juzheng was also a person who wanted to make a career. Like Gao Gong, for a prime minister like Li Chunfang, Always look down upon.
Feng Bao said again: "If Zhao Dazhou is defeated, Li Shilu will resign sooner or later. Once Li Shilu leaves, there is no doubt that Gao Huzi will be the chief minister of the cabinet. Mr. Taiyue, you and Gao Huzi have been colleagues for many years. With Beard's style, will Chen Songgu be able to continue to work in the cabinet by then? From our perspective, he will have to leave sooner or later... By then, apart from Gao Beard, you will be the only one left in the cabinet, Mr. Taiyue. "
Zhang Juzheng was silent for a moment and said: "If there are not enough cabinet ministers, your Majesty will naturally ask for more."
Feng Bao laughed: "Your Majesty? Mr. Taiyue, are you joking? If Gao Huzi doesn't speak, do you think your Majesty will take the initiative to ask the court to recommend ministers?"
