Anyway, during the time when the dust had settled under the command of the Imperial Guard, Zhao Ceying never came to see Li Hao again.
Eighty percent of the time, father and son thought Zeng Chaosheng was from Li Hao's side. Of course, Cao Jingxiu's deliberate guidance was probably indispensable.
However, Li Hao didn't care for the time being. Anyway, Marquis Zhongjing, who was of the same generation, could not know anything about the news that the British Duke could know.
Li Hao thought that if they had something going on, they wouldn't hide it from their in-laws and watch Zhao Zongquan being tricked.
But it was not until Gu Yankai's condolence ceremony that Li Hao met Zhao Zongquan and his son again.
Originally, when Gu Yankai passed away, Zhao Zhen planned to drive to pay homage and come in person to show his appreciation for Gu Yankai's life achievements.
However, Zhao Zhen was unable to make the trip due to his health, so he ordered two brothers, Zhao Zongquan and Zhao Zonghan, to attend the mourning hall in his stead.
By the way, he brought over the posthumous edict drawn up by Shangshu Province and approved by Zhao Zhen, and it was read out by the internal officials.
The command of the generals to be obedient is called Wu, to open up land and conquer the territory is called Wu, to kill the enemy is called Yi, to be able to discipline the country is called Yi, and finally the word Wu Yi was drawn up to conclude the coffin for Gu Yankai.
Of course, these two words are both beautiful posthumous titles with very good meanings, and it is not in vain that Gu Tingye gave the gift to the official who drafted the posthumous title in Shangshu Province, otherwise it would not have been so smooth.
After the edict was read out, Zhao Zongquan and his son also comforted Gu Tingye, but their attitude towards Li Hao was quite cold, but they had a good attitude towards Cao Jingxiu.
This made Li Hao strange. It seemed that Zhao Zongquan still didn't know the inside story.
On the other hand, Zhao Zonghan was quite happy to see Li Hao here. He pulled Li Hao and chatted non-stop. It seemed that he was tired of staying in the palace.
But this is right. After all, a child who grew up among the people was suddenly restricted to the palace. After a long time, it was a bit unbearable.
Li Hao's mood was understandable, but it was indeed too noisy. Fortunately, Li Hao saw Qi Heng later and quickly took Zhao Zonghan over and left it to Qi Heng to deal with it.
Moreover, having Zhao Zonghan dragging Qi Heng away would save Qi Heng from the trouble if he lost his mind and bumped into Ming Lan who was receiving the girl in the backyard.
After the condolences ended, Zhao Zongquan, his son and Zhao Zonghan left first and returned to the palace to report the situation.
The remaining people also said goodbye to Gu Tingye and left together just waiting for the female scroll to come back.
It was at this time that Li Hao discovered Cao Jingxiu and Zeng Chaosheng among the crowd.
Moreover, the two people deliberately walked separately, pretending to be unfamiliar with each other in front of everyone.
It was this deception that convinced Li Hao that there must be something fishy between the two.
According to what the British public said, the two families obviously had a friendship, but they deliberately pretended to be in front of others, which must be a conspiracy.
Of course, Li Hao didn't try to expose the two of them, he was just planning in his mind to see what they were planning.
However, Li Hao didn't go looking for the two of them. Instead, Zeng Chaosheng took the initiative to look for them.
Just when Li Hao and Zhang Guifen left together and just left the Ningyuan Marquis Mansion, Zeng Chaosheng was one step ahead and waiting beside Li Hao's carriage.
Seeing this situation, Li Hao asked: "Commander Zeng, are you looking for something to do with me?"
Zeng Chaosheng said: "I really have something to ask Mr. Li for help. I think Mr. Li also knows about me replacing Gu Tingye as the commander of the Imperial Guard.
Originally, I should have gone to Gu Tingye to discuss the handover, but in this situation, it might be inconvenient for him.
As for Mr. Li, you have been in charge of the Imperial Guard before and are familiar with the situation in the palace, so I took the liberty to ask Mr. Li for help. "
After hearing what Zeng Chaosheng said, Li Hao did not refuse. Anyway, the appointment had been decided.
With the support of Queen Cao and Cao Jingxiu, it was only a matter of time for him to straighten out the affairs in the palace. There was no need for him to be such a villain.
Then he agreed, "Commander Zeng is too polite. I do know something about the Imperial Guards. Since Commander Zeng needs my help, I should naturally help him."
Seeing that Li Hao was so easy to talk to, Zeng Chaosheng was quite flattered.
.
After reflecting for a while, he immediately answered: "Then I would like to thank Mr. Li for your help, but I don't know when Mr. Li will be free."
Li Hao thought for a while and said, "Why don't we set it five days later. Then I will go to the palace to find Commander Zeng and explain to you the situation in the palace in detail.
In addition, I am also familiar with the people in charge of the palace's defense. I will also make an appointment with them and introduce them to Commander Zeng. What do you think? "
Zeng Chaosheng was naturally happy about this. With the help of the people in front of the palace, he would be able to do things much more smoothly.
Thanks, "That's really troublesome, Mr. Li. Why don't you make an appointment and I'll treat you to a drink to express my gratitude."
Li Hao smiled and said, "Okay, after Commander Zeng has sorted out the affairs of the palace, we will find time to have a nice drink."
Then the two of them renewed their friendship before leaving separately.
On the carriage back home, Zhang Guifen mentioned what happened just now and said, "You really want to help Zeng Chaosheng so that he can control the Imperial Guard as soon as possible."
Li Hao explained: "He is a legitimate commander and has support from the palace, even if I don't help him.
As long as he is willing to spend some time, it will only be a matter of time before he takes control of the Imperial Guard. Now, isn't it just right for me to be a favor?
Moreover, Yang Wenyuan was still in the front office of the palace. It turned out that Gu Tingye was in the palace, so he was not allowed to focus on the palace.
Now at this time, it is time for Yang Wenyuan to exert his strength. Yang Wenyuan is also very familiar with those people in the Imperial Guard.
I don't believe that such a halfway monk can be more popular than Yang Wenyuan. "
Hearing Li Hao's thoughts, Zhang Guifen couldn't help but said: "You are very smart in your calculations. You want to use everything in this matter."
In response to Zhang Guifen's teasing, Li Hao smiled and said nothing. Anyway, Li Hao had already made up his mind about this matter and had nothing to say.
Instead, it was the scene in the mourning hall that made Li Hao wonder why Marquis Zhongjing didn't tell Zhao Zongquan the truth.
What was Marquis Zhongjing thinking and what would be his stance? The answers to these questions were bothering Li Hao.
However, this matter is not urgent yet. Before Zhao Zhen's health deteriorates further, Li Hao still has time to find the answer.
Next, Li Hao kept his promise to Zeng Chaosheng, accompanied him to the palace, and personally helped him establish his prestige among the imperial guards.
Of course, all this was done under the premise that Li Hao also called Yang Wenyuan, but Li Hao also had valid reasons.
After all, the palace guarding was completed by the Imperial Guards and the Palace Chief, so Zeng Chaosheng and Yang Wenyuan would definitely interact with each other frequently, and it was reasonable for them to be familiar with each other.
Anyway, Li Hao has already done what he needs to do, and there is no need for Li Hao to elaborate on the rest. With Yang Wenyuan's brain, he naturally knows what he should do.
After finishing the palace affairs, good news came from the salt fields in Lianghuai.
After such a long period of compilation and summary, the sun salt method has finally taken shape and can be promoted on a large scale.
According to calculations by local salt workers and salt field officials, although the existing solar salt method does not increase exponentially in output, it saves a lot of fuel and manpower.
Therefore, the cost of salt production has been greatly reduced, and it is feasible to appropriately reduce the official salt price on the basis of ensuring the total salt tax as originally envisaged.
Of course, the sun salt method is only applicable to coastal areas, and is not very useful for cost control of well salt and desalination.
But even so, it is already a great thing for the people of the world.
So Li Hao first informed Chen Shengzhi of the matter. After all, he was the Third Secretary-General, so he still had to have this respect.
Chen Shengzhi naturally encouraged him, but he didn't pay too much attention to it.
After all, Li Hao had always reported directly to Zhao Zhen regarding the salt tax. Even if he had some credit, not much could fall on him.
After notifying Chen Shengzhi, Li Hao wrote another memorial and reported it directly to Zhao Zhen to announce the good news and proposed to continue implementing the next plan.
but
Before the actual implementation, Li Hao actually wanted to go to Lianghuai again to check the situation in the salt field with his own eyes.
Even if possible, Li Hao would like to inspect the current salt tax system across the country before carrying out salt tax reform.
However, Zhao Zhen's health has not improved, and Li Hao really did not dare to leave Beijing at this time, lest something happen during this period and he would not be able to respond in time.
After all, in history, Zhao Zhen died around this time.
Although the world is different from history, judging from the current situation, there is a high probability that this trajectory will not change too much.
After receiving Li Hao's memorial, Zhao Zhen was indeed very happy. It would not affect the court's taxation, but could also reduce the burden on the people.
This is a good thing, so Dangjie agreed to reduce the price of official salt within a certain range and asked Li Hao to come up with a specific plan.
Then this plan put Li Hao in a difficult position. After all, for the plan to be feasible, it was not enough to just talk on paper.
You still have to send someone to check out the actual situation before you can make targeted plans.
So when Li Hao couldn't leave, Li Hao wanted to send Sheng Hong out.
After all, in the Salt and Iron Department, Sheng Hong's deputy salt and iron envoy's rank is more suitable.
And he is trustworthy in terms of official status. Although he is not very smart, at least he will not be attracted by others because of money.
So Li Hao called Sheng Hong over alone that day and said, "Now the Lianghuai Salt Farm uses the sun-dried salt method, and the cost has been greatly reduced.
After the officials knew about it, they deliberately lowered the price of official salt to benefit the people and make people's livelihood. "
After hearing this, Sheng Hong expertly echoed: "Officials are kind and love their people like children. When the people know about this, they will definitely feel the emperor's grace."
Li Hao also nodded and agreed: "Yes, the officials are indeed thinking about the people.
However, adjusting the official salt price is easier said than done.
Now we only rely on a few letters from Lianghuai, so we can't just set a price at will.
If something goes wrong then, how will we explain it to the officials?
Moreover, according to the salt system, the salt from Huaihe and Huaihe Rivers is not sold throughout the country. Sichuan-Shaanxi Fourth Road sells well salt, and Henan and Hebei sell salt. Should the price of salt there also be reduced?
Or do we need to re-adjust the sales areas of several types of salt according to the situation so that people can buy salt nearby? These are all questions.
After all, we can't see these problems in Bianjing City. I'm afraid we have to send people to visit various places. "
After hearing this, Sheng Hong understood the meaning. Li Hao, who was in love, came to him because he had bad intentions and wanted him to go out for inspection in Beijing.
But Sheng Hong is naturally unwilling to go. After all, who wants to travel around the capital instead of staying in Beijing.
And listening to what this means, not only Lianghuai, but also every other state capital will probably have to walk roughly in a circle, which will take a long time.
Just when Sheng Hong was thinking about how to refuse, Li Hao continued: "I came to see my uncle today just because I wanted to ask him.
Let's see if there are any officials on my uncle's side who are qualified for this trip, to help the officials and their families solve their problems. "
Hearing this and knowing that Li Hao had no intention of letting him go, Sheng Hong breathed a sigh of relief and wondered who would be willing to do such tiring work.
But then Li Hao's words changed Sheng Hong's mentality, and he just heard that.
"The officials take this matter very seriously. If I can get this job done well, the officials will definitely reward me when I return to Beijing. There is a high probability that I will be promoted to the next level when I return.
Although this thing is a bit tiring, it is still worth doing. If it weren't for something that made it inconvenient for me to leave Beijing, I would have made this trip myself. "
After speaking, I looked at Sheng Hong's face and found that his eyes were almost gleaming.
Knowing that Sheng Hong was interested, the rest would be easy to deal with. Li Hao pretended to ask: "It is best for this candidate to be young and powerful. Does my uncle have any candidates?"
recommend. "
Sheng Hong heard that this was a job that could lead to promotion, so how could he think of other people?
At first, Sheng Hong wanted to retire as a third-grade doctor. Before retiring, he could become a Yinqing Guanglu doctor.
But as Sheng Hong followed Li Hao to the fourth rank, he suddenly felt that this goal could be raised to a higher level, such as becoming Doctor Jin Ziguanglu.
Now there is another opportunity to be promoted. If Sheng Hong can be promoted to another level this time, it will be the fourth rank.
At his current age, if he works hard, let alone Dr. Zi Guanglu, even Dr. Guanglu, who is rising up, will retire from the second rank.
Thinking of this, Sheng Hong suddenly felt that this job was not very tiring.
Then he said: "Since the officials have high hopes for this matter, as ministers, we should not stop in fear of difficulties.
I have always been keeping an eye on the matters surrounding the salt farm, and I know these situations best, so it is most appropriate for me to handle this matter. "
At this time, Li Hao advised: "This is too hard work. It will take at least a year to complete this circle.
I was really uneasy about letting my uncle work so hard. I thought it would be better to let someone else go. "
But Sheng Hong was excited by the prospect of his promotion and Zheng Huan was willing to miss this opportunity.
So after some pulling between the two, Li Hao reluctantly agreed to Sheng Hong and agreed to let him lead people to tour the country.
Then Sheng Hong left with satisfaction. Of course, Sheng Hong's head was hot, and he couldn't hide the unexpected things from Mrs. Sheng.
So when Sheng Hong came home and told the story, Mrs. Sheng immediately understood.
Li Hao drew a piece of cake for Sheng Hong that could be seen but not necessarily touched. Not to mention other things, let's just talk about the official's current body.
Whether this can last for another year is not certain until the new king takes over.
No one knows what will happen then, and who will care about this credit at that time.
However, Mrs. Sheng didn't say much, because she also felt that with Sheng Hong's mind, it might not be a good thing to really stay in Bianjing and participate in the replacement of the throne.
Now that we have this opportunity, it is not a bad idea to go out for a while, in Mrs. Sheng's opinion.
Anyway, Sheng Changbai, Li Hao, and Gu Tingye are all in Bianjing now. These people are always more reliable than Sheng Hong in doing things.
If they have the last laugh in this change of imperial power, it will be easy to support Sheng Hong.
As for what will happen if these people fail, there is no need to think too much, because in this case, Sheng Hong's stay in Bianjing will be useless.
So with the cooperation of everyone, consciously or unconsciously, Li Hao went to Zhao Zhen and Sheng Hong to get a decree.
Sheng Hong was given the official title of Proclaimer, so that he could patrol the country legitimately.
But by the time Sheng Hong returned to Beijing after his inspection, the situation in Bianjing City had already undergone earth-shaking changes.
At least there was no way for Zhao Zhen to help Li Hao fulfill the promise he made to Sheng Hong.
Of course, this is a story for another day.
