In the afternoon, the sun moves westward and the sun shines brightly, bringing a bit of warmth but also giving people a feeling of depression. The main gate of Guangyang Bo's Mansion opened wide, and the family servants and guards lined up to greet Guangyang Bo Zhao Kuangyi, who was on a tour of Beijing. The leaders were Zhao's wife and the second man of the manor, Zhao Deming.
The tutoring in Guangyang House has always been strict, and Zhao Kuangyi's ethical restraints on his family can even be described as harsh. Therefore, even when he was warmly welcomed by the whole family, he still had a rigid face and refused to smile more.
Compared with his brother Zhao Kuangyin's family whose bloodline is thin, Zhao Kuangyi's family is prosperous. So far, he has eight sons, and of course, they are not too old. The eldest son, Zhao Dechong, was the most popular, considered by Zhao Kuangyi to be the most like him, and he also had great hopes. At the age of twenty-three, he was sent to Jinghu South Road as an official, starting from the county magistrate, and was carefully trained.
Zhao Kuangyi had served as chief envoy in Hunan and had considerable influence. For the growth of his eldest son, he also made special arrangements for those who were still serving as officials there.
Compared to the eldest, Zhao Deming, as the second eldest, naturally receives less attention than the eldest, but precisely because of his second position, there is inevitably the desire to compete for the top spot in everything. Compared with the innocent Zhao Dechong, Zhao Deming is much smarter and more scheming. Of course, he shows more intelligence and wisdom.
Zhao Kuangyi's previous business trip was to go to Guannai to guide the advancement of the tax system reform of Guannai Dao. He also listened to Guannai Dao's plan to promote new taxes on behalf of the court. Even though it is close to the capital, the round trip took more than twenty days. The journey was dusty, and even as energetic as Zhao Kuangyi, there was a feeling of exhaustion.
He wanted to rest first, but was interrupted by Zhao Deming who was following him. In the study, looking at his second son serving tea in person with a cautious look on his face, Zhao Kuangyi asked directly: "What's the matter? Just tell me!"
Upon hearing this, Zhao Deming showed an expression of admiration and said, "The truth cannot be hidden from my father's discerning eyes!"
Zhao Kuangyi smiled, without comment, just stared at Zhao Deming. Seeing this, Zhao Deming said: "Does father know about Kang Ning, a big businessman in Beijing?"
"I heard that he made a lot of money through his relationship with the imperial court. He is also considered a figure among Gyeonggi merchants and has some prestige!" Zhao Kuangyi nodded lightly.
Zhao Deming immediately said: "That Kangning is not only a good businessman, but also a kind person. A few days ago, I heard that the ancestral hall in the village was in disrepair, so he took the initiative to send people to prepare materials and go to Zhuozhou for repairs. The garden on the mansion was renovated and there was a shortage of manpower, so he sent his son to take care of it himself. People came to visit; my mother was not feeling well, so she spent a lot of money to buy good medicine and supplements."
Following Zhao Deming's introduction, Zhao Kuangyi's expression dropped at a speed visible to the naked eye, and he abruptly interrupted Zhao Deming, who was talking endlessly: "What is your intention in praising Kang Ning so much in front of me?"
Facing Zhao Kuangyi's eyes, Zhao Deming felt slightly panicked, looked away guiltily, and whispered: "Kang Ning has been arrested and is currently in Dali Temple Prison."
Of course, Zhao Kuangyi has heard about this matter. No matter where he is, Xianggong Zhao always cares about the court and pays attention to the affairs of the capital and the central government. His attitude is to attach great importance to it and never slack off.
On his way back to Beijing, he had just passed Mianchi. Someone had reported to him the recent important events in Beijing, which naturally included the death of the third uncle and the arrest of Kang Ning. Like most powerful people, Zhao Kuangyi was more concerned about It’s still a matter of Corning.
There was naturally no relationship between Zhao Kuangyi and Kang Ning in the past. He did not love money. Although he affirmed the role of merchants in commodity circulation, he looked down on the so-called wealthy merchants in his heart. In Zhao Xianggong's mind, power He always comes first. How to gain greater power and realize his political ambitions is more important. As for other things, it is difficult for him to care.
But Zhao Kuangyi did not dare to take the matter of Kang Ning lightly. Although he had no direct contact with the Kang family, some information could be found out from some nobles.
Therefore, even if he had not learned about it in depth before, Zhao Kuangyi could basically guess what might be involved behind Kang Ning after his arrest.
But at the moment, Zhao Kuangyi was worried for two reasons. The first was Emperor Liu's attitude. He had thought about it carefully and found that the treatment of Kang Ning always made him feel awkward and strange in his heart.
The second is the behavior of the second son Zhao Deming. His words and actions all show that his son is already involved with the Kang family.
Seeing that Zhao Deming was still there to carefully test his opinion, Zhao Kuangyi felt a surge of anger for no reason and scolded: "Be honest with me, how many benefits did you get from the Kang family behind my back? You have to bother to explain it in front of me? "
Zhao Kuangyi's sudden question was completely unexpected by Zhao Deming, and he hesitated: "Where did my father start with these words?"
Zhao Kuangyi stared at him sternly: "Why are the Kang family so attentive? Is that small favor worth such scheming in front of my father?"
Faced with his father's questioning, Zhao Deming looked uncertain and muttered nothing. Seeing this, Zhao Kuangyi no longer suppressed his anger, slapped the desk with anger, and scolded: "Say!"
Zhao Deming panicked and knelt down and said: "Three days after Kang Ning was imprisoned, the Kang family sent a box of gold to the house. All they asked for was to inquire about Kang Ning's case. It's not difficult to think about it, so..."
"Shut up!" Zhao Kuangyi couldn't hold himself any longer and stood up, his old eyes full of anger: "You are so brave! You have so much face!
Just a little yellow and white thing makes you tempted? My uncle's house in Guangyang is short of this box of gold? What's the use? "
"Father, calm down!" Seeing that Zhao Kuangyi was really angry, Zhao Deming was also really panicked. He quickly stood up and tried to persuade him, fearing that he would get angry and said: "My son realizes his mistake and will send someone to return the gold later!"
"Stupid!" Zhao Kuangyi scolded: "What time is it now? What is the situation in Beijing because of this matter?"
Zhao Deming was a little confused about this. If he could see clearly, he wouldn't be so stupid and selfless. Seeing this, Zhao Kuangyi lowered his voice, pointed his finger to the north, and said: "Kang Ning was originally the person in charge of the imperial city. Do you know what this means?"
Zhao Deming thought for a moment and said hesitantly: "This should not be the persecution of those hawks and dogs in the Imperial City Division, right?"
"Finally, no one was stupid to the end!" Zhao Kuangyi was rarely so excited. He waved his hands in the air and lectured: "Your Majesty personally intervened in the matter. The situation is unclear. Even I dare not speak out rashly. Where did you come from? How brave do you dare to get involved in this rashly? You may not know how to die!"
"Father, no, it's not that serious!" Hearing what Zhao Kuangyi said, Zhao Deming was full of hesitation, looking like he didn't quite believe it.
Seeing his son's stupidity, Zhao Kuangyi suddenly felt that nothing could be more irritating than this, and he had the urge to slap him in the face, but he suppressed it.
"When you get stuck in the mud and when the officials from the Imperial City Department arrest you, you will know whether it is serious or not!"
Hearing what Zhao Kuangyi said, Zhao Deming realized that the situation might not be as simple as he thought. A flash of unintentional panic flashed across his young face, and he said awkwardly: "I know I was wrong! But the matter is over, and I agree. The Kang family has been harmed, please ask father to make up his mind on what we should do to save it."
(End of chapter)
