Traveling to an ancient peasant family: I got rich by doing business

Because of the many things that happened in Nanzhou Prefecture, Han Zheng, Taifu Jiang, and Shilang Pei wrote three memorials.

One is related to Jiangfu County and Huaiting County, one is a summary of the disaster situation in other counties, and the last one is about how Magistrate Hong colluded with bandits to smuggle money and grain to the imperial tomb.

When reading the first two books, Emperor Tianyuan was able to calm down and not get too excited, but when he read the last book, he couldn't help it and his face turned red with anger. At the same time, he started to cough violently and uncontrollably.

Han Zheng and Master Jiang were terrified when they heard what he said below. They no longer cared about the emperor's order and quickly opened the door of the imperial study and called for help.

Fortunately, Emperor Tianyuan has been in poor health recently. The Empress and the Crown Prince were afraid something might happen, so they ordered the imperial physician to wait outside.

Emperor Tianyuan did not want to see the imperial physician, saying that he was not seriously ill and asked the physician to leave. Imperial Tutor Jiang had no choice but to kneel down with Han Zheng and Minister Pei and beg him to treat the disease.

The three of them expressed their sincere feelings, and Emperor Tianyuan finally allowed the imperial physician to come forward.

Then there was a lot of trouble, and Emperor Tianyuan finally recovered.

Thinking that his body was not suitable for handling government affairs at the moment, Taifu Jiang winked at Han Zheng and Minister Pei, asking them to leave with him. Unexpectedly, as soon as he made a gesture, Emperor Tianyuan asked the eunuch to help him sit back in front of the imperial desk.

Then, before Master Jiang opened his mouth, he said, "I am not in a good mood today, so I'd better deal with these things as soon as possible."

His voice was weak, completely different from when he was in good health.

Master Jiang knew that it was useless to say anything else at this point, so he had to stand up straight and wait for his decision.

*

After all the eunuchs left, Emperor Tianyuan did not mention disaster relief, but instead went straight to talking about the case of Prefect Hong.

"The memorial said that Magistrate Hong wanted to transport the money and grain to the Imperial Mausoleum, Prince Hui. Is that true?"

As the main investigator, Minister Pei replied, "This matter was investigated by me, and Prefect Hong has admitted it. Your Majesty, do you want to interrogate him personally?"

When they came back, they also brought back Magistrate Hong. However, since he had been on the run for a long time and his body was not clean, they did not bring him with them, but asked General Xiao Liang to look after him first.

Emperor Tianyuan trusted Minister Pei and waved his hand, saying, "No need. I believe what Minister Pei said."

After he finished speaking, he paused and said softly, "The third brother has been in the imperial mausoleum for a few years, and his ambitions are growing. Jiang Aiqing, how do you think this matter should be handled?"

Jiang Taifu had always been a straightforward person in front of Emperor Tianyuan, and he never beat around the bush, so he didn't hide anything and said, "Prince Hui behaved improperly and should be severely punished."

Emperor Tianyuan listened but did not respond. He looked at Minister Pei and asked, "What do you think, Minister Pei?"

Minister Pei cupped his hands and said, "I agree with what Lord Jiang said."

Emperor Tianyuan turned his head and his eyes fell on Han Zheng, "Where is Han Aiqing?"

Han Zheng did not hesitate: "I think the same as Lord Jiang. Prince Hui colluded with Prefect Hong and embezzled the people's money and grain. This is a serious crime. Your Majesty, please deal with it impartially."

After listening to this, Emperor Tianyuan suddenly asked, "Is that all? Don't you have anything else to say? For example, what does Prince Hui want to do with all this money and grain? Is he raising private soldiers?"

He actually pointed it out directly, and Han Zheng's heart beat faster.

After a few breaths, he knelt down on the spot.

Emperor Tianyuan looked calm, "Lord Han, what are you doing?"

Han Zheng lowered his eyes. "I did hear people say that the Prince of Hui raised private soldiers, but because I have never been to the imperial mausoleum, I don't know whether it is true or not. However, it is a big deal for a prince to raise private soldiers. If the number is too large, it will inevitably cause unrest in the court and even the world. I ask Your Majesty to send someone to investigate and see if the Prince of Hui has done anything that is so treasonous."

Master Jiang was shocked because he didn't expect Han Zheng to say so much.

But he understood Han Zheng's approach.

During this disaster relief effort, they saw many poor people. It was obvious that the people were already living very hard, but Prince Hui still wanted to intervene and take away their food rations.

He was extremely angry, let alone Han Zheng who was still young and full of vigor.

Glancing secretly at Emperor Tianyuan and seeing that he looked okay, Imperial Tutor Jiang said, "Your Majesty, I think what Lord Han said is correct. Please send someone to investigate the imperial mausoleum to ensure the stability of our court and the peace of the people."

Minister Pei echoed, "I second the motion."

Emperor Tianyuan: “…”

*

Emperor Tianyuan said nothing in the end.

Han Zheng thought that he wanted to just let the matter go as he did before, and when he wanted to speak, Master Jiang pulled his clothes from behind.

Master Jiang shook his head slightly at him.

Han Zheng: “…”

Emperor Tianyuan watched the two's little movements, closed his eyes, and then said, "You can leave. I will make the decision on the matter of Nanzhou Prefecture."

Master Jiang quickly responded with a "yes".

*

The three of them left the imperial study.

After walking away, Master Jiang looked at Han Zheng and said, "Master Han, you were a little impulsive today."

Han Zheng was silent for a moment and nodded.

He was indeed not as calm as before today. He wanted Prince Hui to step down so much that he couldn't control himself for a moment.

"But I think your majesty's behavior this time is very different from before." Pei Shilang said. There was another sentence that he didn't say, which was "your majesty seems to want to punish Prince Hui this time."

Master Jiang could see the changes in Emperor Tianyuan, but he didn't dare to believe it. Over the years, anyone with eyes could see how tolerant Emperor Tianyuan was towards Prince Hui.

So, what did the emperor like about Prince Hui? Why was he so kind to him?

Master Jiang couldn't figure it out.

The three of them fell silent, walked to the palace gate and went home.

*

On Li Yu's side, she had just returned home from the barbecue restaurant and had been talking to Han Xiaomei for a quarter of an hour when Boss Bai came over from next door on the ladder.

He asked Li Yu to go next door to meet Mr. Xiang.

Just wanting to ask Mr. Xiang about what happened in the capital in the past two months, Li Yu agreed decisively.

Mr. Xiang didn't want others to know that he had a relationship with Boss Bai, so he dressed up as a servant today. After Li Yu climbed over the wall, the two of them first talked about some irrelevant things and then got straight to the point.

Mr. Xiang first asked about the situation in Nanzhou Prefecture. Li Yu did not hold back and told him everything he knew.

Mr. Xiang wrote down everything one by one, and then took the initiative to tell Li Yu about the latest situation in the capital.

During the past two months, Emperor Tianyuan suffered from many illnesses, and officials from Prince Hui's faction were ready to make a move. The prince took the opportunity to beat up several of them.

However, the highest rank is only a fourth-rank official, like Shangshu Huang. Although he has been always reprimanded, confined to his home, and fined his salary in recent years, he is still the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue.

It seemed that Emperor Tianyuan extended his love for Prince Hui to Minister Huang.

"His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is planning to try again recently. He has another piece of evidence in his hand that Shangshu Huang has taken bribes and committed abuses of power." Mr. Xiang said, "I don't know if it will work."

Who knows?

Emperor Tianyuan was a contradictory person. You could say that he cared about the people, and he did, as evidenced by the disaster relief efforts in Nanzhou Prefecture. But you could also say that he didn't care that much about the people, and he did, as evidenced by his indulgence of Prince Hui and his cronies.

"These are not a big deal." Li Yu pondered and said, "Prince Hui has private soldiers. I always feel that he will rebel this year."

Mr. Xiang thinks so too.

*

After exchanging information with Mr. Xiang, Li Yu went home to rest.

After dinner in the evening, she continued talking to Han Xiaomei.

In the past two months, Han Xiaomei has been managing the household and the store. When she has free time, she also helps Pei Mingzhu with accounting and has made a lot of money.

Li Yu was very pleased and planned to open a new shop for her after the political situation was stabilized, so that she could learn to run it from scratch.

The aunt and sister-in-law talked in low voices and fell asleep at midnight.

The next day, Han Zheng went to court. Li Yu lay down until the sun rose. After getting up, he was about to eat first. Si'er ran into the house in a panic.

"Sister Li, there are rumors outside that Shangshu Huang has a wind evil in his body and cannot move."