"Second brother, what happened in Huazhou has nothing to do with me. I don't understand it at all. If it hadn't been for the crime, I wouldn't have known that Zhang Jin was so audacious and dared to tamper with the river construction. I was definitely not involved in this case!" Zhao Kuangmei! His tone was excited, eager to express his innocence.
His eyes were full of expectation, expecting Zhao Kuangyin to believe him. However, such a performance was obviously unqualified.
"If you are fine, why are you so guilty and afraid of going to the government to ask for advice?" Zhao Kuangyin asked.
"this……."
"It's already this time, what else is there to say!" Who kind of person is Zhao Kuangyin? He only had to think about the recent public opinion in Beijing and the expansion of the Huazhou case to make some guesses, and immediately said: "You have committed other crimes. What's up?"
Zhao Kuangmei behaved like a child who made mistakes and had to be guided by Zhao Kuangyin. Hearing this question, he looked relieved, lowered his head slightly, and said in a low voice: "Half a year ago, I attended a banquet at Zhang's house. When I was drinking heavily, Zhang Jin proposed a way to make money..."
After hearing this, Zhao Kuangyin locked up uncontrollably. Obviously, he absolutely did not believe that it would be a serious business, but he did not say anything more, just waiting for him to finish.
Zhao Kuangmei did not dare to raise her head. She explained everything clearly as if she was being tortured: "This spring, the imperial court carried out monetary reforms, but the country was short of silver, and the price of silver rose sharply. Now on the market, one tael of silver can be exchanged for nearly It's 1,500 yuan, which is 200 yuan higher than the exchange rate stipulated by the court.
Therefore, Zhang Jin proposed that profits could be made from it. "
In fact, the Han Dynasty is currently extremely short of silver. Especially after the currency reform, the market's demand for silver has become even hungrier. The court is also making great efforts to solve the problem of silver shortage. In addition to excavating silver mines across the country to increase production, they also introduced silver mines from Korea and Japan.
Against this background, the market reaction is very real. The value of silver coins has risen sharply, and the value of various types of silverware has also increased. Under this policy, the dignitaries, who were originally the main owners and users of silver, obviously gained huge benefits from it, almost for free.
The value of silk and copper coins, which were the main trading currencies in the past, will inevitably fall. When the court and nobles are harvesting a wave of leeks, people who realize the middle-distance interests will inevitably start to have their own thoughts. The interests involved are too great. Big.
Hearing what he said, Zhao Kuangyin still had a straight face, but what Zhao Kuangmei said next made him unable to hold on any longer: "Let's cooperate and open a silver mine in Shaozhou..."
With a "bang", Zhao Kuangyin slapped a cattail leaf on the desk, shaking the brush on the pen holder. Standing up, Zhao Kuangyin angrily yelled: "You are so brave! What is the crime of privately opening a silver mine? What is the punishment? Do you want me to read it to you in "Xingtong"?"
"Second brother, I was drunk at the time and was bewitched by Zhang Jin. I regretted it afterward, but I had already agreed to him and there were people who witnessed it, so I couldn't regret it..." Zhao Kuangmei argued weakly.
"Bullshit!" Zhao Kuangyin was so angry that he couldn't help but speak dirty words. He almost poked Zhao Kuangmei's face with his finger: "I think you are greedy for profit. Don't put all the blame on Zhang Jin. He is a complete idiot." Silverfish, you’re not much better!”
"I'm not the only one cooperating with him. Several other yamen present also participated!" Zhao Kuangmei said.
"Haha!" Zhao Kuangyin sneered: "Are you still afraid that you won't be able to catch up with this way of making money? Huh?"
"For a person like Zhang Jin, if you associate with him, even if you are not guilty of this case, you will be involved in other things! It's my fault that I pay too little attention to you, and I didn't know that you were actually working together with him!" Zhao Kuangyin sighed.
Hearing this, Zhao Dezhao, who had been standing silently beside him, had his eyelids twitching. He looked at his fourth uncle and then at his father. He felt a mixture of fear and joy in his heart. At the wedding banquet of Princess Anping, Zhao Kuangyin reminded him Live your life and don't interact with them. It's only been a while now, but my old father still has the foresight.
Zhao Kuangmei grimaced, became depressed again, and said feebly: "Second brother, I know I was wrong. During this period, I also regretted it. After the Huazhou case, I was even more frightened. If Zhang Jin also brought this matter... Come out, I, I... Second brother, you must save me!"
Seeing his frightened expression, Zhao Kuangyin finally softened his heart. He took a deep breath, thought about it, and asked: "What is the current situation of this silver mine you opened? How much did you take?" ?”
"Two seats, yes two seats!" Zhao Kuangmei said, but facing his brother's eyes that were about to turn angry, he quickly lowered his head and said: "Zhang Jin's people are responsible for taking care of them. Two months ago, it was said that seven Of the more than a thousand taels, I divided 900 taels. Seeing that it was profitable, I found another mine..."
"Hmph! It's really a huge profit! You just sit back and wait to get paid while others worry about the labor. Have you never thought that such a good thing can happen in the world?" Zhao Kuangyin said coldly.
"It's useless to regret!" Zhao Kuangmei wanted to give herself a slap in the face, but her face was indeed filled with regret.
In fact, if it hadn't been for the Huazhou case, their financial path might have been able to last for a long time. At least in terms of attracting partners and operating a profit network, Zhang Jin still had some tricks and was willing to give up profits.
The participation of people like Zhao Kuangmei is like adding layers of insurance to this chain of interests. Of course, only people with Zhao Kuangmei's status can be bewitched by him. Most of the core children of major families pursue official career, reputation and power, and it is almost impossible to indulge in these yellow and white interests.
To take a step back, even if it was the Huazhou case, if it hadn't happened to be committed in the hands of the prince, it might have been another story if it had been someone else. This is the naked reality. The powerful are rich because of their power, and they use their power to protect the rich.
"Where's the money?" Zhao Kuangyin asked.
"I didn't dare to use it. They were all buried in the manor outside the city!" Zhao Kuangmei said quickly, as if asking for credit.
"Can you bury this dirty money and hide this dirty thing?" At this moment, Zhao Kuangyin really wanted to take the riding crop and whip his brother severely.
"You didn't cast that silver into silver ingots, did you?" Zhao Kuangyin said with fierce eyes.
"No, no, we don't dare. They are just silver cakes and scattered silver coins!" Zhao Kuangmei said quickly.
Of course, it seems a little ridiculous to say this, and the reason why silver coins are not minted may just be that the opportunity is not available, the output is too low, and the craftsmanship is not up to standard.
At present, the craftsmanship and technology of the silver coins cast by the Qianjian of the Han Dynasty are still very advanced, the management is also very strict, and it is easy to identify.
After listening to his words, Zhao Kuangyin's expression finally softened, and he sat down again and started thinking seriously. Privately opening silver mines is expressly prohibited by the imperial court, and the circumstances are not serious. However, compared with it, privately minting silver coins is an outright act of seeking death. This is really poaching the court, offending the majesty of the imperial court, and violating the country. against the fiscal system.
Therefore, Zhao Kuangyin can still hold on. Various ideas were swirling in my mind to see if there was a solution, but the more I thought about it, the more solemn my expression became, because no matter how much I thought about it, I couldn't get over it easily.
"You go back first. Let me think about this carefully. I will let you know what to do!" After a long time, Zhao Kuangyin raised his head and ordered.
"Second brother!" Without a clear explanation, how could Zhao Kuangmei find her home?
"Remember, stay safe next time!" Zhao Kuangyin said sternly.
In fact, there is no need for Zhao Kuangyin to doubt this. In Beijing today, all the monsters and monsters are at peace. Almost all people who reach a certain level are gentle, courteous and thrifty. After all, it is only a few people who are not clear-headed who commit crimes against the wind.
"You really didn't mint money?" Zhao Kuangyin asked again.
Zhao Kuangmei was slightly stunned, but became a little unconfident: "Probably not! The silver mine is run by Zhang Jin, and I don't know the specific situation..."
As soon as he heard this, Zhao Kuangyin felt his anger rising. For the first time, he felt angry with his younger brother.
Staring at him, Zhao Kuangyin asked in a deep tone: "Kuang Mei, I want to know, are your annual salary and the money from the land not enough for you to live a life of fine clothing and fine food?"
Upon hearing this, Zhao Kuangmei's handsome face revealed a little loneliness and shame, and she said, "Second brother, I have nothing to say!"
"Get out!" Zhao Kuangyin immediately scolded him.
Zhao Kuangmei's body tensed up, her head drooped, she saluted, turned around and walked out with dull steps.
"Wait!" The still stern voice interrupted Zhao Kuangmei's steps. When he turned around, he saw Zhao Kuangyin asking: "Besides the silver mine, is there anything else?"
"This..." Zhao Kuangmei hesitated again.
Seeing this, Zhao Kuangyin once again uttered one word quickly and forcefully: "Speak!"
"The servant cooperated with others to do some timber trading, and cut some timber for sale in Qinlong." Zhao Kuangmei's voice was very low.
Under the leadership of Emperor Liu, in order to protect water and soil, the imperial court banned logging in the northwest region, especially those giant trees in the deep forests. As you can imagine, what Zhao Kuangmei is doing is definitely not an ordinary firewood business, but giant hardwoods that are banned from logging and can be used as building materials.
With the silver mine incident in mind, Zhao Kuangyin became much calmer and said nothing, just staring at him. Zhao Kuangmei reacted quickly this time and said solemnly: "Only these two things, nothing else!"
"Go ahead!" Zhao Kuangyin waved his hand.
"Second brother, what will happen to Zhang Jin?" Zhao Kuangmei asked hesitantly before leaving.
Zhao Kuangyin was unceremonious and said coldly: "Do you still have thoughts about him? Think about yourself! Just hope that you are not among the prisoners who will be interrogated in Nanshi in the future!"
"Yes!" A hint of fear flashed across Zhao Kuangmei's bitter face, but when he saw Zhao Kuangyin sitting behind the desk, he felt some confidence inexplicably, but his steps were still heavy.
Zhao Dezhao glanced at Zhao Kuangyin, who had a deep expression, and then went out to see Zhao Kuangmei off.
