The Prosperous Era of Longwan

After the discussion that night, early the next morning, Yin Shizhen went to the Hanlin Academy for the first time to go on duty.

In fact, he came to the Hanlin Academy twice a month, and his sudden arrival was not unexpected. He just went to the public house of Wei Guangde not long after he went to see the errands he was responsible for.

"Guangde, I'm reading a book."

After the announcement, Yin Shizhen walked into the public room and saw Wei Guangde getting up and walking out from behind the desk. There was an open book on the desk.

"Master Yin, please come inside."

Seeing Yin Shizhen come in, Wei Guangde hurriedly asked him to take a seat and asked Lu Bu to make tea.

Wei Guangde was still curious when he heard Lu Bu said that Lord Yin Shizhen was here. Although he had a hunch that it might be related to what he said before, he was not sure. After all, more than half a month had passed.

Half a month ago, Wei Guangde and Yin Shizhen had really been waiting for Yin Shizhen's visit for several days after they had dinner, but nothing happened.

The Ministry of Revenue still did not reissue Prince Yu's salary and rewards, which made Wei Guangde think that his proposal was rejected by Prince Yu's palace.

In fact, on that day, after he explained the method, Yin Shizhen's face didn't look very good. Fortunately, he changed the subject in time so that he didn't get cold feet.

Wei Guangde was naturally surprised by Yin Shizhen's sudden visit after half a month, and he didn't know what he was doing here.

After asking Yin Shizhen to sit down, Lu Bu brought tea and then left and asked: "Master Yin, try this tea. It is a new tea sent by my fellow villager from the south. It tastes very good."

"Okay, let me try it."

Yin Shizhen picked up the teacup and took a sip, then his eyes lit up, "Not bad, Mingqian tea."

For scholars, it is natural to drink tea, and for officials, it is natural to drink good tea.

The two sat there chatting for a long time, and they didn't talk about anything serious. They were all talking about this. However, as time passed, Wei Guangde's curiosity gradually disappeared. He was already 80% sure that Yin Shizhen's visit to the restaurant was related to the last time. It's about that.

Since Yin Shizhen didn't take the initiative to speak, Wei Guangde naturally didn't bother to ask more questions, since it wasn't him who was bothered anyway.

It is true that he is optimistic about King Yu, but Wei Guangde will not take the initiative to flatter him. Even if he wants to flatter him, now seems to be the wrong time.

After sitting and talking for a long time, Yin Shizhen felt that he could not continue like this. When he saw that there was no one outside the door, he took the initiative to change the topic.

"Guangde, to be honest, I came here this time mainly because of the idea you came up with at the restaurant last time. I want to ask, do you think Yan Donglou will accept this money?"

After Yin Shizhen said this, he stared at Wei Guangde, looking forward to his answer.

"this."

Wei Guangde was not surprised that Yin Shizhen asked this. This is also the key to the matter. If he doesn't accept it, everything will be in vain.

After a slight hesitation, Wei Guangde said: "I'm not sure either. I can only give it a try. I won't be able to stay frozen like this for long."

When Wei Guangde said that he could not last forever, Yin Shizhen knew that Wei Guangde must have guessed something.

Although the three of them had a secret conversation for a long time after leaving Prince Yu's Mansion last night, they still couldn't figure out who Wei Guangde was from. So far, they could only say that Wei Guangde was probably not arranged by the Yan family or King Jing.

"What Guangde said is all about this, and I won't hide it from you."

Having said this, Yin Shizhen stood up and walked a few steps in the room. He walked to the door seemingly inadvertently. He glanced outside to make sure no one was there. Then he turned around and walked quickly to Wei Guangde and whispered: "Before Prince Yu's Mansion, All the savings I've accumulated in the past two years have been exhausted, and I won't be able to hold on for long.

I discussed with Bachelor Gao Gonggao and Master Chen Yiqin that we should try your method, but we really can't think of any other way. "

Wei Guangde blinked when he heard this and said in confusion: "Master Yin, since you and Master Gao have already discussed it, you should go to the pawn shop outside the back door of Yan's house."

Yan Shifan did not collect the money directly by having the money delivered to his home. Instead, he used a pawn shop not far from the back door as a transfer. How could a scholar be tainted by the smell of copper? Although he had never even been on the B list, he still valued it. These.

Well, the role of this pawn shop is well known in Beijing.

A trace of struggle appeared on Yin Shizhen's face at this time. Well, he was still a little embarrassed, but in the end he gritted his teeth and said, "Guangde, that's it."

Yin Shizhen paused for a moment before continuing: "We made this decision behind the prince's back, so the money can only come from me, Xueshi Gao, and Mr. Chen. However, although we have been in Beijing for many years, the income of Beijing officials is meager. Guangde has already experienced it.

Especially for those of us who are subordinate to the palace, we could still get rewards from the palace during the New Year Festival in previous years, but as you know in the past two years, we don’t have much money. I wonder if Guangde might lend me some money to help me make ends meet. After it was completed, the Ministry of Finance made up the money and we immediately returned it, and we will never forget Guangde’s helping hand. "

Well, after hearing what Yin Shizhen said, Wei Guangde had only one word left to describe it, and that was "qi".

"Who the hell wants you to remember this sentiment? I want to send this sentiment from labor and management to King Yu. Who do you think you are? Even if you look at it, you are all officials. You are just a few years older than me and entered the officialdom a few years earlier."

Wei Guangde was very unhappy about this matter in his heart. It should be said that Wei Guangde really believed what Yin Shizhen said. He thought that Prince Yu really didn't know about this matter, otherwise it would be impossible for him to come and find him if he couldn't get the money to do it. Borrow money yourself.

At this moment, Wei Guangde had the intention not to borrow money, but he was worried that the relationship with his colleagues would become tense.

Regardless, Yin Shizhen was still an editor of the Hanlin Academy, and Gao Gong was still a bachelor.

What about yourself?

Just a bastard.

Wei Guangde was in a dilemma. He actually didn't think highly of Gao Gong, Chen Yiqin, and Yin Shizhen. If he had the ability to put King Yu in such a situation, it can only be said that his ability was very limited.

only

"I wonder, Mr. Yin, how much money do you want to borrow?"

Well, Wei Guangde still didn't want to stalemate the relationship, so he asked them how much money they wanted to borrow.

It could be seen that Wei Guangde was a little entangled, but Yin Shizhen didn't know that Wei Guangde was actually dissatisfied with what they did, and thought it was just a matter of borrowing money.

At this moment, Yin Shizhen could only whisper: "I wonder how much money Guangde can borrow?"

Hearing Yin Shizhen's words, Wei Guangde's eyes widened instantly.

What does this mean?

Is it possible that you still want to fight the landlord and borrow all his money?

"I still have more than three hundred or four hundred taels of silver on hand."

Wei Guangde took stock of the money around him and found that there wasn't much left after buying the house. As for the little writing and ink lamp oil subsidy he had received from the Hanlin Academy, he might as well not talk about it.

Of course, there is also a lot of money, which he has not yet figured out how to use.

Even because Emperor Jiajing canceled official holidays, he has not yet been able to find time to go to the temple to check the time for moving into the new house.

After the house was bought, it had been vacant for a while, except for Li San and Zhang Ji to have a look during the day when Wei Guangde went to the office.

The old man who originally guarded the house is still employed. With such a big yard, someone still needs to guard the gate. After all, there are a lot of things in the house.

Wei Guangde's answer was undoubtedly a bit bad for Yin Shizhen's ears. Three or four hundred taels, this little money is not enough.

He sat down a little frustrated, and it took a while before Yin Shizhen said: "Guangde, we have considered this matter together, and I don't think it can be done without more than a thousand taels of silver. I wonder if you can help raise some money from your friends." , first help raise two thousand taels of silver for later use."

At this moment, there was a hint of request in Yin Shizhen's voice, and he was obviously a little anxious.

"Master Yin, you have been in the capital for a long time, so you should have more channels like this."

Wei Guangde asked curiously, there are many people doing money and business in the capital. After the trial, many people came to the Jiujiang Guild Hall and asked if they wanted to borrow money from the tributes. The interest was negotiable. Wei Guangde did not believe Yin Shizhen. People like Gao Gong and Gao Gong will not be able to raise money in the capital.

After hearing Wei Guangde's words, Yin Shizhen's face showed a sad expression, and after a while he said: "We don't want to show off like this.

Guangde, you don’t know that we are officials of the Prince’s Palace. Every word, deed, and action represents the face of Prince Yu’s Palace. If there are rumors that we are raising money, it will be harmful to the reputation of Prince Yu’s Palace, especially at this time. , such rumors must not appear. "

Wei Guangde nodded as if he understood, then realized the meaning of his words, and said immediately: "Then you can discuss this matter with Ambassador Ku of the palace, or the person in charge of the palace, and it shouldn't be difficult to move the two thousand taels of silver. "

"this"

Seeing Yin Shizhen's hesitant appearance again, Wei Guangde frowned, a little confused as to what he meant.

To do things for Prince Yu, isn't it possible to borrow some money from the palace?

As for the matter of two thousand taels of silver, it should be easily accomplished even behind the prince's back.

"Guangde, please tell me if you can help us be the middleman and help us borrow this money."

Yin Shizhen also felt embarrassed to speak, but he had already reached this point and there was absolutely no possibility of turning back. He chose to directly ask Wei Guangde if he could help.

Wei Guangde was a little embarrassed. Although two thousand taels of silver was a small sum of money to him, it was actually a huge sum of money.

"It's not that I don't want to help you, these two thousand taels of silver are not a small amount. According to what you said before, it may be increased. It's easy for me to lend you this money, but I have to give you a guarantee."

Wei Guangde hesitated and said, "Actually, I think it would be more appropriate to discuss it with the person in charge in the palace and Ambassador Ku. There is no need to raise money from outside."

"Alas, there is not so much money in the palace now."

Finally, Yin Shizhen sighed and said.

No money?

Wei Guangde was slightly surprised when he heard these words coming out of Yin Shizhen's mouth. He didn't quite understand the meaning of Yin Shizhen's words. There were many things in them and they were very vague. He would not be able to figure them out for a while.

At this time, Yin Shizhen also realized that he had spilled the beans, but since the words had already been spoken, he could not take them back. He simply said with a sudden heart: "Guangde, to tell you the truth, I only hope that these words will come out of my mouth and into your mouth." No one else knows about this."

Seeing Yin Shizhen suddenly become serious, Wei Guangde felt that he was going to say something big soon, so he nodded solemnly.

Immediately, Yin Shizhen did not speak, but walked to the public room door again and looked outside. When he saw no one, he returned to Wei Guangde and whispered: "This matter must not be spread outside."

Just when Wei Guangde felt a little impatient, he heard Yin Shizhen say: "There is no money in the palace anymore. Some of the wealth accumulated before has been consumed in the past two years. Otherwise, We, the palace officials, will not be so anxious.

If the things that should belong to the palace cannot be obtained from the Ministry of Household Affairs as soon as possible, the palace may not be able to survive.

We have been at a loss as to how to solve the problem with the Ministry of Accounts before. We have discussed the idea you gave me, and now it is the only way. "

After hearing what Yin Shizhen said, Wei Guangde opened his mouth and was a little stunned.

He really didn't expect the answer to be this. Prince Yu's Mansion was actually forced to this point, and he could hardly hold on any longer.

"Does the prince know?"

Wei Guangde came back to his senses and asked, and then saw Yin Shizhen nodded slightly. Although he did not admit it personally, he gave Wei Guangde an accurate answer.

Although Wei Guangde still had a serious expression on his face at this time, he was actually happy in his heart.

Since the prince knows, he doesn't believe that Prince Yu doesn't know that he came up with this idea. He will help raise the money when the time comes, so it will be a credit no matter what.

But what if Gao Gong and the three of them kept it secret from King Yu?

Immediately after he was overjoyed, Wei Guangde thought of another possibility, that is, when Yin Shizhen went back to talk, he did not tell him.

Wei Guangde pretended to be irritated and rubbed his hands, and suddenly said, "Did the prince ask you to come?"

"The prince knows about this, and it was our idea to find you here."

At this time, Yin Shizhen was still worried that Wei Guangde would not agree to help them raise money, so he answered everything Wei Guangde asked. He was telling the truth, but Wei Guangde didn't dare to believe it all at the moment.

However, Wei Guangde couldn't think of any way to prove it. He couldn't let Yin Shizhen take him to see Prince Yu and ask him clearly in person.

Before, he had said that King Yu didn't know about this.

What's more, even if Yin Shizhen dared to take him there, Wei Guangde would not dare to go to see King Yu.

"Two thousand taels?"

"Yes, prepare two thousand taels first. It is best to collect one thousand taels of silver in the next two days. We plan to send one thousand taels first to test Yan Shifan's appetite."

Yin Shizhen said.

"How should I give you money? Should I give it to you or send it to the palace?"

Wei Guangde continued to ask.

He wanted to go to the palace to seek confirmation, but Wei Guangde didn't dare to go. With the current situation in the capital, Prince Yu's Palace and Prince Jing's Palace were probably sending people to secretly monitor each other. As long as he went there, the other side would definitely know.

Wei Guangde is soft-spoken and doesn't want to be involved yet.

"Guangde agreed?"

Yin Shizhen said in surprise at this moment.

"I know a few Jiujiang businessmen. Among them, Huitong Trading Company has some connections with my family. I can go out to them to raise money. If it's a thousand taels, I'll ask my servants to come over and talk about it. I should be able to see the money in the afternoon."

Wei Guangde understood. They planned to send a thousand taels of silver to ask for directions at first, but they could give it a try.