The oil bottle of the Red Chamber

The truth about disaster relief revealed by the six princes in the impeachment memorial shocked the ruling and opposition parties.Including the sixth prince himself, no one thought that the officials of Shuzhou would act so boldly and recklessly. When the officials opened the granary for food relief, they tried to deceive the superior and the inferior, and secretly blamed the victims for the shortfall of the granary.The most unexpected thing for the world is that, in addition to being greedy for money and food and deceiving the upper and lower levels, in order to conceal the news, the Shuzhou officials successively murdered nearly a thousand officials and their family members who wanted to expose the incident, and then lied. These people died in the earthquake...

If it wasn't for the fact that the sixth prince had doubts in his heart, he accidentally rescued a scholar who had escaped death when he sent someone to make an unannounced visit. He learned about this from the same scholar, and led people to the place where they buried everyone. Even the sixth prince himself couldn't believe that these people were so blinded by greed.In order to be greedy for money and food, he did such evil deeds.

It's just frightening.

The sixth prince was furious when he heard the news reported by his subordinate spies, but also felt cold in his heart.He knew that since these officials were able to kill nearly a thousand people cruelly, it was to prevent the news from leaking.Then after knowing that he already knew the truth, I am afraid that he would not be afraid to kill him, the sixth prince, to keep the secret.At that time, pretend to be a riot by the victims and push the blame on the victims. Even if the imperial court sends people to investigate, I am afraid that nothing will be found.Didn't he die in vain?

Therefore, after thinking twice, the sixth prince decided to return to Beijing with the imperial envoys and others on the grounds that the local disaster victims had been appeased and the post-disaster reconstruction work was in order, so there was no need for others to direct the battle.

Although Shuzhou officials were amazed by the sixth prince's eloquence and foolishness, they believed that the concealment was flawless, and they were afraid that the sixth prince would find out the clues.Then he happily responded with a smile, and served farewell drinks for the sixth prince and the seventh prince in a grand manner, and offered rich filial piety in accordance with official rules, and then respectfully sent off the imperial envoys.

The Seventh Prince also expressed dissatisfaction with the behavior of the Sixth Prince who left in a hurry—after all, the Seventh Prince volunteered to ask His Majesty for a disaster relief errand for the sake of fame, fortune, and reputation, and now he managed to get in touch with people in the official circles of Shuzhou , before he had time to win him over, the sixth prince left as quickly as if his butt was on fire. Didn't he delay his business?

The Sixth Prince's heart is preoccupied with the affairs of Shuzhou, but he doesn't have the time to write ink with the Seventh Prince.Even when the Seventh Prince was trying to delay the journey, he said bluntly, "Either we go together, or after I return to Beijing, I will impeach the Seventh Brother to my father to win people's hearts and plot evil"...

As the saying goes, those who are arrogant and afraid of being stunned, even though the seventh prince has plans in his heart, seeing the sixth prince's reluctance and resentment in his heart, he really dare not not listen to the sixth prince's words.

A group of people rushed out of the border of Shuzhou.Only then did the sixth prince send his confidants to gallop back to Beijing, and secretly published the impeachment memorial.As soon as the memorial entered Beijing, it was like stabbing an ant's nest in an instant, shocking the government and the public.Due to the urgency of the situation, the sage hurriedly ordered Zhao Bihe, the commander of the Jinyi Army, to lead [-] soldiers and horses to meet the sixth and seventh princes, and then go directly to Shuzhou to investigate the case.

Zhao Bihe took the order and left.However, the sage and the court ministers dare not rest assured.Just because apart from investigating the case of corruption in ink, the more difficult thing now is how to do the next disaster relief - because the shortage of food in Yongji warehouse in Shuzhou completely disrupted the imperial court's deployment, and the imperial court will The treasury is empty—no money or food.

Now that the matter has come to this point, the ruling and opposition parties can't help but think of Chen Gui, who went to the south of the Yangtze River to help and investigate the case last year.There are also people who want to follow Chen Gui's example and ask the local officials to atone for their crimes.However, as soon as these words were spoken, they were rejected by Chen Gui before the saint judged them - because the two situations were different.

Although Liangjiang officials also embezzled wages and caused the embankment to burst and ruin people's livelihood, they did not kill people to cover up their crimes, nor did they kill nearly a thousand officials and their families to conceal the news.However, compared with them, Shuzhou officials are particularly frenzied and unforgivably guilty-not to mention ransacking their homes and beheading them, it is not an exaggeration to cut their bodies apart.

If even such a person can "make atonement", then where is the majesty of the court, and where is the saint's benevolence and love for the people?

As soon as Chen Gui's words came out, all the officials reconsidered accordingly.There were even a few honest and upright veterans who spoke fiercely, pointing out that the courtier scolded the treacherous minister for harming the country.It is intended to discredit the name of the saint.When the man saw this, he had to kowtow to plead guilty.Emperor Yongjia was a benevolent monarch who always loved the people.Longyan was already furious when he heard about the incident in Shuzhou, and now he is even more furious when he hears the minister's nonsense.Even when he was dismissed and investigated on the grounds of disrespect for the people, Long Jinwei, who was ordered to guard outside the palace, pulled him out of the palace.

Seeing this, everyone knelt down and begged the saint to appease his anger.Even people who are still thinking carefully in their hearts know that the saint is extremely disgusted, and they know that this is not feasible.

However, this road is blocked, and we have to find another road. Can't we just watch the disaster victims in Shuzhou starve to death because the imperial court has no money for disaster relief?

Seeing the sage frowning tightly, he remained silent for a long time.His Royal Highness the Crown Prince smiled at Chen Gui: "Chen Qing has always been talented in managing the world economy, so I wonder if he has a strategy in his belly?"

When Chen Gui heard the words, he pondered for a long time before saying: "For the current plan, the only way is to borrow food to help the disaster."

As soon as the words were said, the monarch and ministers in the hall looked at each other, and unconsciously asked: "What is borrowing money?"

Upon hearing the question, Chen Gui spit out the phrase "national debt" lightly.

As the name suggests, it is to borrow money from private merchants in the name of the court, or even a saint, to relieve disasters and support the people.At that time, we will repay the debt with preferential policies.

In front of the courtiers and ministers, Chen Gui explained the concept of the national debt discussed with the third sister You earlier.After the ministers heard about it, some people applauded it, while others disagreed.There was even a group of veteran officials who were arrogant and contemptuous of merchants, and reprimanded Chen Gui for nonsense. "How can you borrow money from those lowly merchants in the name of the court and in the name of a saint? Where does such a behavior place the dignity of the ancestors and the face of the court? It's ridiculous! It's inappropriate!"

Chen Gui never liked to argue with others in the court.What's more, His Royal Highness ordered him to make suggestions, and he has already expressed his thoughts.As for whether the saint will agree, he can't interfere.You can only do your best to lobby.

Therefore, Chen Gui ignored the old minister's questioning. On the contrary, Qian Liangjing, the emperor's teacher who stood aside, stroked his beard in a leisurely manner and said, "The old minister feels that Mr. Chen's words may be feasible. Now the treasury is empty. However, the imperial court has no money at all. The most urgent task is to raise money to support the people. If you can borrow food from the rich and wealthy in the name of the imperial court, it will surely solve the urgent need of the imperial court. As for the reputation... how can a little fame be compared with the common people in the world? Care about?"

However, as soon as Qian Liangjing spoke, Wang Yanji, Minister of Rites, began to refute.The excuses used are still not in line with the rules of the ancestors and against the face of the court.Everyone knows that Wang Yanji belongs to the third prince.These three princes have always been at odds with His Highness the Crown Prince, hating the house and black people, and they even look down on Chen Gui who has repeatedly made meritorious service for the Crown Prince and saved His Highness the Crown Prince from danger.Now that Wang Yanji objected, everyone knew that it was the Third Prince who wanted to fight His Highness the Crown Prince again.Unknowingly, he frowned secretly.

His Royal Highness is also a little tired.As the crown prince, he heard Chen Guizhi's advice every day, and he had long since wanted to lower his status and argue with the third prince.However, this matter is related to the government and the people's livelihood, and he doesn't want to delay the court's disaster relief because of a moment of enthusiasm.Immediately he opened his mouth and said: "Since the Minister of Rites thinks Mr. Chen's remonstrance is inappropriate. I don't know what your opinion is?"

The Minister of Rites was dumbfounded upon hearing this.As the saying goes, it's hard for a clever woman to cook without rice.Now that there is no money in the national treasury, and even a saint can't do anything about it, what good opinion can he have?

The Twelfth Prince was young and energetic. Seeing this scene, he blurted out: "You don't even have an idea, but when others say it, you pick and choose. You are really full and have nothing to do. You eat and dress yourself Don't worry, have you forgotten that the victims in Shuzhou are still hungry?"

After saying a word, the immediately damaged Minister of Rites blushed.The Twelfth Prince then said: "According to me, this matter doesn't need to be so troublesome. Since the national treasury is empty and the court has no money, then go to the civil and military officials. These officials are not in the hands of the emperor's relatives. Are you short of money? If they can pay back the money owed to the court, don’t we have money? Now that we have money, why can’t we do it? How can we use such a tight matter to think about it? Since the Minister of Rites said that the court If the loan is not in line with the ancestor's rules, then you can urge all the officials to pay back the money. Isn't it against the ancestor's family law to pay back the debt?"

As soon as this remark came out, the hall fell silent.Everyone looked at the twelfth prince, and then at the sage sitting behind the royal case.

The saint did not speak.Instead, he pondered for a long time before asking the twelve princes: "Why did the old twelve suddenly think of this matter today? Or who said something to you?"

The Twelve Princes heard the words and said: "Who should say that? It's only right and proper to pay back the debt. It's just the common people. If they have no rice at home, they still know to ask outside to owe money. They also know that it's a rogue to not pay back the money. The common people are like this, don’t the dignified civil and military officials, these officials who read the books of Confucius and Mencius and call themselves gentlemen, don’t know such a simple truth?”

After that, he sneered at the Minister of Rites and said: "Since you are talking about other people's ideas, why don't you come up with an idea yourself? It's useless all day long, just stand aside and make sarcastic remarks. If not If you thick-skinned ministers borrow money from the court and don’t return it, the treasury will not be empty. We all don’t need to stand here and think about where to fiddle with the money. According to me, let them pay back the money. It makes no sense for the creditors to Those who are poor can hardly get rid of the pot, and those who are in debt can eat well and drink spicy food, it makes no sense to inquire about it in the whole world!"

The princes and ministers in the palace watched the twelve princes suddenly go crazy, and they were a little puzzled for a while.However, the matter of paying back the owed money is infinitely more difficult than the matter of raising money and food for disaster relief.Even if the imperial court intends to do so, it should be done slowly.How could it be as easy as the twelve princes said.

Therefore, everyone ignored the words of the Twelfth Prince.Still discussing the matter of raising disaster relief silver.

Emperor Qian Liangjing was naturally on Chen Gui's side. Although the Minister of Rites wanted to fight Chen Gui, but just now he was attacked by the twelve princes, he was afraid of getting angry, so he dared not speak out to refute.

The rest of the ministers and princes have their own positions and calculations, whether they seconded or opposed or remained silent, and they couldn't agree on what to do.

Qian Liangjing is a veteran of the three dynasties, with a modest and upright personality, known as benevolence and righteousness.Besides, as the emperor's teacher, he is also deeply trusted by His Majesty.Hearing that the teacher supported Chen Gui, the rest of the people either echoed others or refuted it, but they couldn't come up with a way to raise money. The sage who really didn't have any money in his hands knew that he immediately stood firm and ordered Chen Gui immediately. Gui quickly came up with a feasible plan and handed it over to the prince for preparation.And I remind you again and again that you must deal with it as soon as possible without delay.

When Chen Gui heard the words, he immediately bowed in response.

All the ministers saw that the holy will had been decided and could not be changed.He didn't say much anymore, just called the saint wise.

After discussing a major matter, the monarchs and ministers breathed a sigh of relief.Now I have free time to think about other things.

The Ninth Prince, who has always been in the same spirit as the Seventh Prince, suddenly laughed and said: "I remember that the ancestral home of the Concubine Xian is Shuzhou. There are still a few people in the He family living in Shuzhou. Now Shuzhou is out. Don’t tell me the third brother doesn’t know anything about such a big matter?”

As soon as this remark came out, the third prince's face immediately changed.Even the princes and ministers in the hall were moved, and they looked at the third prince unconsciously.

Seeing this, the third prince hurriedly bowed and explained to His Majesty.He said that he didn't know about the Shuzhou affairs, and that the Shuzhou officials were careful to hide this matter. Although the He family had a few houses in the hometown of Shuzhou, they did not collude with the local officials. The capital is beyond reach, and it has never been heard of such a frenzied thing.

However, no matter how cleverly the third prince argues, it cannot change the He family's ancestral home in Shuzhou, and the He family has always worked hard in Shuzhou to win people's hearts for the third prince.

Now that a shocking scandal broke out in the official circles of Shuzhou, the third prince insisted that he and the He family knew nothing... Not to mention the princes who had always fought against him, even the saints and the adults in the court... Dubious.

Seeing this, the third prince could not help but smile wryly.Knowing that even if I jumped into the Yellow River, I would not be able to cleanse myself.

His Royal Highness, the Crown Prince, still remembers the actions of the third prince when the ink corruption case broke out in Liangjiang's officialdom last year.Now seeing that the third prince is also caught in the dark of corruption, even though His Royal Highness is concerned about the situation in Shuzhou and the safety of the sixth and seventh princes, at this moment, he can't help but gloat secretly.However, he has been deeply influenced by Chen Gui's behavior recently, so he didn't sneer in front of everyone.

However, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince did not speak, but the Ninth Prince and the Eleventh Prince, who were in the same spirit as the Seventh Prince, ran against each other with each other.The third prince has always been proud and arrogant, how could he endure such provocation from the crowd.Immediately, he spoke out and fought back.When the two sides were arguing, they suddenly heard that there was an urgent report from Babaili to Beijing, but it was a Fanyi invasion along the West Sea, and the coastal area suffered heavy losses.