After Guo Rong left Chongzheng Palace, he did not return directly to the Privy Council. Instead, he followed the road out of the palace and caught up with Chang Si.
I often think of this old man. After meeting the Holy Spirit, he felt relieved that he had avoided his mistakes. His waist straightened and his steps became brisk. When he saw Guo Rong chasing after him, he immediately smiled and said: "Guo Lang, the emperor is so merciful. As expected, I have not sinned against you."
As he spoke, there was a little pity on his expression, and he said: "It's just that I used the coupons owed by the people of Lu as a gift. Why would the emperor burn them? That's a full seventy thousand yuan!"
Hearing Chang Si's words, Guo Rong's face twitched. He had a deeper understanding of Chang Si's ignorance, shortsightedness, and greedy habits.
The reason why Wang Jingchong targeted Chang Si was not because he accumulated too much during the years of guarding Luzhou, which led to the collapse of the government and the impoverishment of the people. The emperor was well aware of this. He heard about similar situations in the past few years, but he only issued an edict to warn them, but did not take any measures when the time was not right.
The release of Wang Jingchong now is obviously a deliberate attack. Chang Si felt the crisis and went to Beijing to seek help, but he did not know how to reflect on himself. Guo Rong persuaded him to donate his family property, but he actually took out the stack of IOUs and bonds. He was simply exposing his shortcomings and admitting his evildoings.
Where did that stack of coupons come from? How could Lu Min owe him so much money? Dedicate it to the emperor and ask the emperor to send someone to Luzhou to collect the payment with the coupon paper? Given the emperor's temperament, he burned it directly without using it as evidence to hold him accountable, which was already an act of restraint.
It's funny that this old man, Chang Si, is completely unaware that the crisis has not yet been resolved, and he is still here, regretting the "70,000 yuan".
He became more and more contemptuous in his heart, but Guo Rong remained patient and said with a solemn expression, "Mr. Chang, do you think this matter is over?"
"What does Guo Lang mean?" Chang Si was stunned and asked in confusion.
"There is a huge shortage of money and food for city construction in Kaifeng. The Third Division and Kaifeng Mansion are all raising funds. Please pledge money and food before I take office!" Guo Rong said directly.
With a frown, Chang Si said, "I've already donated 70,000 yuan!"
In this regard, Guo Rong no longer wanted to say anything more. He waved his sleeves slightly and said in a stern tone to Chang Si: "If Mr. Chang still wants to enjoy his old age in peace and keep his family rich and prosperous, don't be reluctant to let him go! Otherwise, even today, even if If you are spared, you will suffer the consequences the next day, and you will regret it!"
Sensing Guo Rong's change of attitude, Chang Si looked unhappy, but after thinking about it, he said, "How much do you think I should donate?"
"I am from Luzhou. I will donate as much as I can collect!" Guo Rong looked directly into Chang Si's eyes and said.
Guo Rong's words were already a bit rude. Hearing this, Chang Si couldn't help but show a look of displeasure on his face. But seeing this, Guo Rong sighed slightly, suppressing the contempt in his heart: "That's all I have to say. I would like Mr. Chang to think carefully about how to make a decision. I still have official business to deal with, so I will go back to the office first!"
After saying that, Guo Rong walked away. Behind, Chang Si's old face added a lot of unhappiness. He snorted and muttered dissatisfied: "Guo family son, you are so arrogant. The palace didn't even say a word for me, but even educated me! Guo Wenzhong didn't dare to Such neglect of me..."
Guo Rong couldn't take into account Chang Si's little change of mind, but even if he knew about it, he would only respond with a smile. Guo Rong has a serious and upright temperament, and he is very disdainful of Chang Si's appointment as an official. If it were not for Guo Wei's favor, he would never help him.
In Guo Rong's view, the Guo family has done their best to treat Chang Si. Guo Rong also knew that the emperor definitely did not want him to interfere in this matter. Guo Rong also felt Liu Chengyou's attitude in the palace just now, which was dull but slightly dissatisfied.
On the same day, Guo Rong ordered someone to go south with a family letter and give it to Guo Wei, telling his father what Chang Si had done and his handling and attitude.
...
The middle door of the Kaifeng government office is wide open. No prison cases have been tried today. In front of the hall, under the command of a government official, the seats are arranged in four rows, with a total of twenty or thirty seats, and tea cups are placed one by one.
There was such a movement, it was obvious that they were entertaining someone, and there were quite a few people there. It didn't look like a party, so they simply prepared a cup and a cup.
The autumn morning is very cold, and it is even more chilly in the government office, especially in front of the hall, under the authority. It wasn't until the late autumn sun rose and the temperature warmed up a little that the guests finally showed up.
In front of the Kaifeng government office, dozens of cars arrived one after another. A well-dressed man wearing gold and silver honestly handed over the invitation, walked into the government office respectfully, and took his seat under the guidance of the government officials.
These people are all well-known merchants in Tokyo. They all come from wealthy families, and their wealth is beyond description. They run various "low-level businesses" and control a large amount of resources. However, when receiving an invitation from Kaifeng Mansion, you must go to the government office honestly and in a proper manner.
I was already doubtful, but seeing such a scene, with all the wealthy businessmen arriving, made me even more anxious. Murong Yanchao, the governor of Kaifeng, was not a good person, and it would probably not be a good thing to cause such a disturbance.
Those who were acquainted or had business dealings all chatted in low voices, informing each other and discussing the situation. The hum of discussion affected the silence of the government office, but the officials and officials nearby did not stop it and just stayed at their posts.
He Fuyin, a big businessman in Tokyo, relied on Zhao Kuangzan, King of Yan, in his early years. Over the years, he spent a lot of money in Tokyo to make friends with powerful people. With his backing strengthened and his shrewdness, his business grew bigger and bigger.
Up to now, the business in his hands covers ceramics, grains and noodles, medicinal materials, silk, restaurants, brothels, and the stalls are not small. Although he is a traitor to a businessman, he is very smart. In addition to clinging to powerful people, he is also very deferential to the court and pays attention to the court's policies.
Before the conquest of Huaihe River, the imperial court raised medicinal materials, shoes and clothing and other military supplies, and he sold all the supplies he had in hand. When Tokyo was short of food, he spent money to import it from various places and sold it at a fair price. Recently, the imperial court was preparing to conquer Shu, and he also The caravan in hand is sent to Guanzhong...
Basically, they just follow the footsteps of the imperial court. They don't plan to make too much money from the imperial court. For He Fuyin, small profits are enough. What he wants is stability.
During the discussion, He Fuyin took the initiative to step forward, quietly took out a few pieces of silver, and handed them to the official in charge.
The clerk's eyes lit up, and he threw it into his sleeve with unusual quickness, his face expressionless. He Fuyin took the opportunity and said: "I dare to ask the superiors, I wonder what Murong Yanchao called us here to do. Can you give some information so that we can be prepared!"
The clerk glanced at these merchants and smiled: "Good thing!"
Just two words, no more words. Seeing this, He Fuyin stretched his hands to his sleeves again. When the official saw it, his eyes became brighter. He coughed lightly and said softly: "What the Lord's plan is, I, a junior official, cannot know. However, recently, the Lord, Focus on the expansion of Tokyo city..."
When the words came to an end, He Fuyin also returned to his seat, secretly thinking that the situation was similar to what he had guessed.
"Your Majesty is here!" Following the chant, the merchants present immediately fell into solemn silence.
Before anyone showed up, Murong Yanchao's loud laughter came out first. When he showed up, a group of people stood up quickly and said in unison: "Greetings to Mr. Fu!"
"Excuse me, everyone!" Murong Yanchao sat down in the middle of the golden sword.
After ordering someone to pour tea, Murong Yanchao said with a rare "kindness" on his dark face, "Drink tea first! These tea leaves are tributes from Jiangnan and are given to me by the emperor. I am reluctant to drink them on weekdays. Today, Take it out to entertain you all!”
"Thank you, Mr. Fu, for your warm hospitality!"
Although it was only a thin cup of tea, but being linked to the emperor and imbued with dragon energy, everyone had to react with flattery.
After seeing everyone drink his tea, Murong Yan once again showed a smile on his dark face, looked around and said: "I am a rough man and I don't like to talk in roundabout ways. Now let's speak frankly! I have called you here because I have We need to discuss important matters, and where your efforts are needed, I hope you will actively cooperate!"
"May I ask you, Mr. Fu, what is going on?" one person asked.
"You all have good ears and eyes, and you know everything about the situation outside the east city of Kaifeng!" Murong Yanchao said: "The emperor has appointed me to be responsible for the expansion and construction of Tokyo City. I dare not slack off because of the heavy responsibility. But now, the imperial court's expenses It’s so big that the national treasury cannot allocate much money, and this government suffers from a lack of money and food..."
At this point, they basically understood what Murong Yanchao meant, but they didn't say anything, waiting for him to finish.
"Expanding the city is a good thing that benefits the country and the people. You are all wealthy merchants in Tokyo. After the city is built, it will also be good for your valuable business. I have called you here in the hope of raising funds to relieve the government's difficulties. You are invited Come here and drink my tea again, it should give me face and not let me down!"
"Of course, my gratitude to you is not in vain. The emperor has said a word called win-win cooperation. All those who donate can get the title of 'Qianyu Yishang'. This is allowed by the emperor. In addition, Xincheng After the expansion is completed, you can choose your own residence in the inner city. There will also be compensation for shops in the new city, and there will be tax exemptions for the next year and a half. Of course, these will depend on your donations.
In addition, many of you are involved in the business of city construction auxiliary materials. From now on, this government can make the decision to buy all the stones, bricks, wood, etc. needed for city construction from you... "
"That's all I have to say, I'll give you a stick of incense to think about it!" Murong Yanchao said with a strong tone and waved his hand: "Get the pledge book ready!"
Next to him, the civil servant in Yazhong immediately opened a book and prepared pen and ink. The merchants present all thought about it seriously and looked uneasy. This tribute tea didn't seem to be very fragrant...
