The discussion in the hall never stopped. Upstairs, Han Xizai listened carefully, but his expression gradually became serious, even indifferent, with an unattractive expression. The tea, wine, and dried fruits that were served remained untouched. .
"Officer, it's already late, do you want to go back home?" Time passed unconsciously, and the attendant turned his head away and yawned, then looked back to Han Xizai for instructions.
Although the museum talks about the national economy and the people's livelihood, which is even closely related to the livelihood of the scholars and common people, it is not interesting for a domestic slave like him. After all, he points to the survival of the Han Mansion. If you tell some stories or sexy news, he will definitely be interested, but otherwise, he really won't be interested.
Moreover, he could also tell that his master was not in a good mood, so he was even more puzzled as to why he sat there for so long if he didn't like those comments.
After coming back to his senses, Han Xizai noticed that the sky was darkening outside and that the hall was a little quieter. The enthusiasm of everyone present seemed to have been exhausted and it was about to end.
"Let's go!" Han Xizai stood up and left.
"Go check out, little one!" the attendant responded.
Standing quietly at the door of Taihe Teahouse, Han Xizai frowned, raised his eyes, and finally revealed the reason for his bad mood in a cold voice: "If these ordinary people talk about national affairs in such a way, and stir up people's hearts, it will continue like this." , there will be trouble!"
As a scholar-bureaucrat, Han Xizai seemed to have a natural feeling of disgust and a feeling of being offended for such low-minded people commenting on current affairs in such a public manner, and his attitude was naturally very repulsive.
Of course, Han Xizai's mind was not that narrow-minded. He just saw some bad signs from the discussion just now. What were we just discussing? Food policy, monetary policy, taxation, these are all major issues related to the national economy and people's livelihood. The court has not yet reached a conclusion. They are already making wild guesses and even deducing the results based on an established assumption. If this situation spreads widely in Kaifeng , will inevitably cause waves and unnecessary troubles.
And if the imperial court really has those intentions and plans, the specific implementation may even be affected, and the life will be full of twists and turns...
Not waiting for too long, the servant surnamed Han also came out, carrying a bag of things in his hand. Noticing Han Xizai's questioning eyes, he immediately explained: "These dried fruits have never been used, and I packed them specially to take away... ..."
After sniffing and observing his reddish face, Han Xizai said, "You little boy, did you drink that peach blossom secret too?"
The young servant suddenly felt a little embarrassed, smiled and said carefully: "It's better not to waste it."
After hearing what he said, Han Xizai asked: "How much did it cost?"
At the mention of this, he suddenly had a pained expression on his face and replied: "To enter the hotel, plus the upstairs and tea, wine, melons and fruits, a total of 85 coins, doing nothing, I spent nearly a month..." .”
In today's Han Dynasty, for the people of Kaifeng, 85 coins are enough for a family of five for seven days. According to the current grain price, you can buy 6.5 bushels of corn, which is about 77 kilograms in future generations. Therefore, if you save a little, you may be able to last longer. But for the people in the countryside, they can last longer. And the two of them, master and servant, spent so much money and only sat in a teahouse for more than an hour.
Hearing this, Han Xizai couldn't help but sigh and said with emotion: "Back in Jinling, when I was living in luxury and luxury, how could I have thought that this old man would be so embarrassed that he would worry about this less than a mo of money?"
After saying that, he left with his servants, and Han Xizai felt a little distressed.
Han Xizai had a total of eight sons and four daughters. After coming to the north, there were still eight people who followed him to beg for food. Plus a corresponding number of female dependents and domestic servants, the family totaled nearly thirty people. Before returning to the north, he took all his family property in Jinling with him. After arriving in Kaifeng, the court also gave him two hundred guan. However, for the newly relocated people, before they fully adapt, spending money is like running water. If it weren't for the imperial arrangements in the mansion, life would probably be even more difficult.
The other Nanchens who came to Beijing were all similar, but most of them were less stressed than the Han family. They either had sufficient wealth or a small population. More importantly, the others basically had work arrangements and sources of income.
After returning to his residence, Han Xizai immediately locked himself in his study. Thinking about what he had seen and heard in recent days, as well as some of his thoughts, he started writing political essays and expounding his suggestions on the national policy of the Han Dynasty.
That's right, Han Xizai couldn't sit still anymore and was planning to report the matter to the emperor and take the initiative to see if he could find some opportunities.
In the next few days, people in the city of Kaifeng were indeed shaken. It was not that they were rebelling, but that after the news that food prices in Tokyo were going to rise spread, residents in the city started buying food to stock up on their homes. It doesn't take millions of people, even just one-tenth of them, to suddenly panic buying to cause turmoil, and large-scale panic buying quickly forced some grain stores and noodle merchants to close their doors. Then the problem became serious, causing the capital to run out of food...
Fortunately, the Han government was not a decoration, and Kaifeng Prefect Gao Fang had capable officials. He decisively noticed the problem, and before the storm was about to start, he decisively issued political orders, announced the peace of the people, and dispatched officials to calm the market.
Someone suggested that Gao Fang prohibit people from buying grain, but he refused. Instead, he asked the emperor to open official warehouses to store grain for the market. The national reserve originally played this role. Therefore, when the official grain entered the market, the rumors of "grain shortage" were broken. Coupled with the government's refutation of the rumor, and the grain price in the capital was still stable, some merchants' shops that raised prices privately were also brought to justice by the Kaifeng government. This situation The storm finally subsided.
Of course, although this storm came and went quickly, it still alerted the court. In the process of calming down the turmoil, the relevant departments also investigated the cause of the incident and quickly figured out the reason. As a result, more than ten teahouses and libraries in the city were sealed, and all the people involved were arrested, including Han Xizai who had been there Tailai Tea House.
The charges are also very deceptive, including making irresponsible remarks about government affairs, spreading rumors, and deceiving people. This is not a small crime. If it is serious, it is not a big problem to be sentenced to death. And this matter directly attracted the attention of Emperor Liu.
In the Chongzheng Hall, Kaifeng Prefecture's High Defense and Inspection Department commanders Han Tong and Wude Envoy Li Chongju, Liu Chengyou looked calm and listened to their reports on the matter.
"So, there is no conspiracy behind this riot?" Liu Chengyou said after a long time.
"Yes!" Li Chongju replied affirmatively.
"After careful review by the ministers and others, this commotion occurred by accident!" Gao Fang reported.
"Accidental!" Liu Chengyou said immediately: "An accident can cause such a big disturbance in Tokyo! Rumors spread everywhere, tens of thousands of people are looting, if the response is slower, then Kaifeng will be in chaos!"
Feeling the emperor's anger, the three ministers present subconsciously lowered their waists. Gao Fang took the initiative to plead guilty: "I have not governed well, please punish me!"
Seeing this, Liu Chengyou waved his hand and said: "I am not targeting you. If Gao Qing hadn't noticed it in time, reacted quickly, and handled it properly, I'm afraid the turmoil would have been great!"
Speaking of which, the matter lies in the over-interpretation of the imperial policy by civilians and the spread of it on a large scale. Although it is indeed reasonable, the impact caused is very bad. For the first time, Emperor Liu felt that arrogant discussion of government affairs should be strictly prohibited...
"People's words are terrible!" Liu Chengyou sighed and asked: "What should we do with the detainees involved in the case?"
Gao Fang still didn't answer, but Han Tong said: "Your Majesty, I believe that these people comment on the court's policies, attract guests, make mistakes, and confuse people's hearts. They have caused such serious consequences and must be severely punished. I suggest that as much as possible Kill him as a warning to others!"
Emperor Liu listened to Han Tong's suggestion and asked Gao Fang, "What do you think, Gao Qing?"
Gao Fang thought for a while and responded: "I think that punishment is okay for this matter, but killing is too severe. However, people's speech should be restrained and controlled. How can we allow ordinary people to speculate so wildly on major political matters? This time A lesson should be taken as a warning.”
"I also received a memorial from the former, but I didn't expect that what he said hit the mark!" Liu Chengyou said: "Although it is better to defend the people than to defend the river, we should not talk nonsense!"
"In addition, if the matter is not kept secret, it will lead to harm!" Gao Fang continued: "How come the undecided policies and policies being discussed by the imperial court are so easily spread among the people? I believe that officials in the court should also be vigilant! "
"Lu Yin, please draft an edict on this and warn the ministers that if something like this happens again, we will get to the bottom of it and punish him severely!" Liu Chengyou's tone became stern.
"yes!"
Then he ordered Gao Fang and Han Tong: "Those arrested, the Kaifeng Mansion should sentence them according to their circumstances! The troops and horses of the Inspection Department should also be withdrawn!"
