Changsheng was originally worried about the safety of the Ni family on their way west, but after hearing Zhang Shan's words, his worries immediately disappeared, "Don't worry, uncle, I will definitely bring your words to you."
"Well," Zhang Shan nodded and asked, "Now that you have been promoted to Minister of Household Affairs, do you know how much silver there is in the imperial treasury now?"
Changsheng replied, "There are eight million taels of silver in the national treasury, but most of it is in the local treasury. The silver deposits in Chang'an are less than two million taels, but I collected four million taels during my tenure as the imperial censor." All have been handed over to the Ministry of Household Affairs. Yesterday afternoon, the Ni family donated another six million taels. The total inventory should be twelve million taels. In addition, we have also confiscated the properties of more than 70 officials in the past few days, but in the past two days, I I didn’t go to the Ministry of Finance, so I don’t know exactly how much was copied.”
Zhang Shan spoke up and said, "Since the treasury has money, let's allocate the fundraising promised by the court as early as possible. How can we recruit troops without silver?"
"One million taels?" Changsheng asked.
Zhang Shan nodded.
"I'll make arrangements right away when I get back," Changsheng said. "You can send someone to the Ministry of Household Affairs to pick it up in the afternoon."
"Okay, if the fundraising funds can be allocated in the afternoon, we will leave Chang'an in the evening," Zhang Shan said. "The purple energy masters who accompanied me to rescue the driver have all left Chang'an, and it is inconvenient for Zhang Mo and I to continue to stay."
Chang Sheng secretly breathed a sigh of relief when he heard Zhang Shan said that he wanted to leave Chang'an with Zhang Mo. In fact, what Ni Zhuo said before made sense. He was too young and had not yet understood the relationship between men and women. Although he knew that he liked Zhang Mo very much, he He is not sure whether this kind of liking is without lust or lust, and the reason why he is not sure is because he has no such thoughts about women yet.
In this case, it was not a bad thing for Zhang Mo to leave Chang'an temporarily, because after experiencing the marriage, he suddenly didn't know how to face Zhang Mo, or even how to talk to Zhang Mo.
When I thought of the marriage, I immediately thought of my Taoist book, "Uncle, what should I do with my Taoist book? Do I need to return the seal?"
"What do you want to do?" Zhang Shan asked.
Changsheng looked at Zhang Shan and then at Zhang Mo. To be fair, he didn't want to be kicked off his Taoist status. Firstly, it was his master Luo Yangzi's dying instructions to enter Taoism and practice. Secondly, he felt that losing his Taoist status would mean he was cut off from Longhu Mountain. , but if he retains his Taoist status, there will always be a life gap between him and Zhang Mo.
He originally just asked casually, but ended up in a dilemma. In desperation, he could only turn to Zhang Mo, "Uncle Master, what should I do?"
Seeing him embarrassed, Zhang Mo couldn't help but smile, "What do you want to do?"
"I don't know." Changsheng shook his head.
Zhang Shannian was over the age of confusion. He could clearly see Yin and Yang, and his eyes were as sharp as a torch. How could he fail to see what Changsheng was thinking, "If you really renounce your Taoism, you will no longer be able to practice Dharma. At present, the country's fortune is not prosperous, and evildoers are everywhere. You cannot practice Dharma more." It's inconvenient. Let's do it this way. The Taoist records are still with you. This time you pacify the eunuchs and clarify the principles of the dynasty. You have made great contributions to the country. After I return to the mountain, I will open an altar to perform rituals and offer sacrifices to the heaven. I will grant you three caves and five thunder jars for leapfrogging. "
Chang Sheng was overjoyed when he heard this. The Three Holes and Five Thunder Ribbon is the second-level vocation next to the Shangqing Urn. It cannot be awarded to non-high-level masters. He only has the Du Gong Urn at this time. According to the convention, it will take three years before he can be promoted to the Alliance Prestige Urn. Eight years later, he was awarded the Five Thunder Barrels, and twelve years later, he was awarded the Three Holes and Five Thunder Barrels. Zhang Shan's move was equivalent to exempting him from more than 20 years of training and inspection, and he was awarded the Taoist priest with the Three Holes and Five Thunder Barrels. , almost all Shangqing Sect's spells can be cast.
Without waiting for Changsheng to answer, Zhang Shan added, "We are direct blood relatives of the Heavenly Master. Zhang Mo and I don't even have Taoist names. Even if you retain your Taoist credentials, you don't have to worry about your seniority."
Changsheng originally wanted to say thank you, but after hearing Zhang Shan's words, he was instantly embarrassed and ashamed. In fact, although Zhang Shan was stern and unsmiling, he still paid attention to his demeanor and words when talking to others, but talking to him at this time was Hit the nail on the head without any tact.
"Yes, yes, if there is nothing else, uncle, I will go back to the household department." Changsheng really had no shame to stay, so he hurriedly left.
"Well, you go back," Zhang Shan stood up and said to Zhang Mo, "I still have something to do, so you can see him off."
"No, no need." Changsheng declined hastily.
Zhang Shan did not answer, opened the door and left first, leaving behind an embarrassed Chang Sheng and a smiling Zhang Mo.
Changsheng raised his head and glanced at Zhang Mo. Although he was embarrassed, he could still find a little bit of embarrassment in Zhang Mo's smile.
Chang Sheng hurriedly looked back and turned around, Zhang Mo followed him out and said, "My brother spoke a little harshly before, so don't take it to heart."
"No, no, no, what the uncle said does make sense." Changsheng shook his head.
Zhang Mo accompanied Changsheng outside the house. Since the two were very close, Changsheng smelled the faint orchid fragrance on Zhang Mo again, which made his already nervous mood even more nervous.
They walked far away without speaking. Seeing that they were getting closer to the palace gate, Zhang Mo spoke softly, "Chang Sheng, there is no one around, tell me the truth. On the day of the competition, why did you jump on the altar to fight Dongfang Chen? "
Changsheng heard Zhang Mo's question clearly, but he didn't know why Zhang Mo asked this question or how to answer it. He could only look at Zhang Mo with doubtful eyes.
Seeing the confusion on his face, Zhang Mo spoke again, "I helped you before, but when you jumped onto the ring, you only wanted to avenge me and repay my kindness?"
"No," Chang Sheng shook his head, then summoned up the courage to say seriously, "At that time, Dongfang Chen made a frivolous move. I just wanted to kill him, but my cultivation level was too low to kill him. I could only fight dangerously and cut him off." With only one hand, I will cut off whichever hand he touches you with!"
Hearing Changsheng's words, Zhang Mo smiled and nodded, then asked again, "You just said that if the emperor accepts me as his concubine, you may not kill him, but you will never serve him again. Why do you have such an idea?" ?”
"I don't know, that's what I think anyway," Changsheng also risked his life and no longer hid it, "I won't hide the truth from you. In fact, I heard the news yesterday. A minister suggested that the emperor marry you as his concubine. I After I found out, I was very angry, and I wanted to just leave and stop working for the imperial court and Longhu Mountain."
"Haha, after you calmed down, have you ever thought carefully about why you had such thoughts?" Zhang Mo asked with a smile.
Although Changsheng was dazzled by nervousness and excitement, he did not become a fool. He vaguely understood why Zhang Mo asked these questions, "Uncle Master, what are you confirming?"
"I don't need to confirm anything, I'm just confirming for you." Zhang Mo said.
Chang Sheng understood the underlying meaning of Zhang Mo's words and bravely asked, "Why don't you need to confirm?"
"Because I'm eight years older than you, I know what I'm thinking, and I also know what you're thinking," Zhang Mo said with a smile, "Actually, I knew what you were thinking from the beginning."
Although the two walked very slowly, they still came to the door of the mansion while talking. The concierge was standing at the door. It was inconvenient to say some words, but there was no need to say them because Changsheng had already understood Zhang Mo's thoughts and was also there. With the help of Zhang Mo, I understood my thoughts.
"Uncle Master, stay here, I'll leave first." Changsheng said.
"I will leave Chang'an later with my elder brother," Zhang Mo said. "Next, I will stay in the army and fight against the rebellion with my elder brother. There will be even fewer opportunities for us to meet. What my elder brother said You must remember in your heart that in life, loyalty and filial piety come first, and benevolence and justice are the foundation. Even if there is still a glimmer of hope, we cannot give up. We must know that we are not only saving the court, but also thousands of people. Huang Chao's rebellion is still vivid in our minds. If the world is in chaos, the people will suffer."
Chang Sheng nodded seriously, "Uncle, don't worry, I will definitely do my best to help the world and serve the country."
Zhang Mo took off the jade hairpin from his head and handed it to Changsheng, "If you encounter a crisis, add a little heat and I will feel it."
Chang Sheng hurriedly reached out to take it and kept it close to his body. He knew very well that this hosta was no longer a simple token of spiritual energy.
"Things that need to be handled must be handled well. We are in a whirlpool, standing under a dangerous wall, and it may not be a good thing if we are too close." Zhang Mo said.
Changsheng understood what Zhang Mo was referring to, nodded in response, turned around and went out.
Seeing him coming out, Mr. Hei, who was lying by the wall, hurriedly came to greet him.
Changsheng walked down the steps, got on his horse, and turned to look at Zhang Mo at the door.
"Go ahead," Zhang Mochong waved his hand to Changsheng, "Don't call me uncle from now on."
Hearing Zhang Mo's words, Changsheng was very happy. Since Zhang Mo had already said it thoroughly, he was no longer as nervous as before, "I understand, please take care of yourself."
Zhang Mo smiled and nodded, Chang Sheng shook the reins and urged the horse.
He did not go to Ni's house, but rode to Hubu. At this time, he no longer had any confusion in his heart. In fact, he had liked Zhang Mo from the beginning, but he deceived himself and others and did not dare to admit and face it. He had to thank him for this The emperor and Zhang Shan, without the emperor's marriage grant, he and Zhang Mo would never be able to escape the shackles of their seniority for the rest of their lives. Now this shackles have been broken by an imperial edict.
The imperial edict alone was not enough. Zhang Shan's approval directly brought the two of them together. If it weren't for Zhang Shan's words that brought the clouds to light today, the two of them might have been wandering in entanglement and ambiguity for a long time.
Now he is calm-minded and well-organized, and it is clear what he should do next. Zhang Mo is right, if the world is in chaos, the emperor himself will not be the only one who will be unlucky. The people will be the first to be unlucky, and the last ones will be the emperor and the emperor. imperial court.
Returning to the household department, Changsheng immediately called for someone to bring the appropriation documents issued by the Zhongshu Province. There was a large pile of documents asking for money, and it was not just the three million taels for recruiting soldiers. The rest should be put aside first for the funds used to recruit soldiers. First, stamp the official seal and sign the transfer, and it can't just be given to Zhang Shan. The two million from Shaolin Temple and Long Haotian must also be allocated together.
After doing this, he immediately rode to Ni's house. He felt apologetic towards Ni Chenyi. After all, Ni Chenyi was deeply devoted to him, but feelings cannot be exchanged by being nice to others. He was grateful and appreciated Ni Chenyi. , they also like them, but they just don’t like them. Zhang Mo is right. Now they are in a whirlpool, standing under a dangerous wall. No one knows what will happen to them in the end. In this case, stay away. Ni Chenyi probably saved her...
