Zhang Fengyi entered the cabinet, and then entered the Palace of the Qing Dynasty with Zhou Yanru.
There is still no way to negotiate-it is difficult for a clever woman to cook without rice.
The imperial court has no money or food, but the bandits are in sight, so the old way is to pay donations.
Chongzhen personally issued the donation edict, and notices were posted everywhere on Chang'an Street.
East of the city, Mo House.
Mo Yuan was a doctor from the former Ministry of Industry, in his sixties, who had served as an official for many years. He hurriedly returned from the outside, called the housekeeper, and asked directly, "How much money is there in the mansion?"
The housekeeper was taken aback, and the master didn’t even ask, but he quickly said, "Master, there are more than three thousand taels. Do you want it to be of any use?"
Mo Yuan held his hands behind his back, his old face was full of determination, and said, "Sell the things at home and give me five thousand taels."
The butler was startled and said, "Master, what do you need to spend so much money for?"
Mo Yuan did not conceal it, saying: "Kong Youde rebelled. The court lacked money and food to suppress the bandits. The announcement of donation has been issued. I want to donate it to the court."
The butler looked hesitant, but knew that Mo Yuan didn't care about it, he really wanted to take care of it, and he couldn't object, so he could only say, "Master, let me go for two days."
Mo Yuan said: "Hurry up, the court can't wait."
The butler quickly agreed and went out to make preparations.
Mo Yuan waited at home. Not long after, his wife came over and stood in front of him.
Mo Yuan looked at his old wife for decades and said, "Are you not willing to make money?"
After the old wife came out of scholarship, she knew the book well. She looked at Mo Yuan and said: "I have been with the master for decades. Have you ever seen me reluctant to pay? I just ask the master, you really want to donate five thousand taels?"
Mo Yuan was a little unclear, so he said: "The court is in a tight situation. As a courtier, I should try my best. Isn't it right?"
The old wife said: "Master, do you know how much other people donate?"
Mo Yuan said, "I only care about mine, but I can control other people."
The old wife said: "If someone else only donates a few hundred taels and the master donates five thousand, what should they do? Does the master think this is glorious?"
Mo Yuan had also been an official. How could he be a fool for so many years? What kind of brilliance is this? He was simply setting himself up on the fire and couldn't help being speechless for a while.
The old wife said again: "Furthermore, in contrast, if the court asks the master where the money came from, is it the proceeds of corruption? Can the master argue with a hundred mouths? Although I don't understand political affairs, I also know the terrible officials Master, have you thought about these things clearly?"
Mo Yuan frowned when he heard it, and his face hesitated for a while.
The old wife said: "Master knows that I have never cared about gold and silver things in these years, whether I bring them in life or take them away in death. I just want to live for a few years and my children and grandchildren will be safe."
Mo Yuan's expression moved, he sighed helplessly, and said, "I know. Then I will see, I will donate as much as they donate."
The old wife said: "Everything depends on the master's discretion."
Mo Yuan didn't speak any more, his face was full of trance and depression.
At this time, the Ministry of Engineering.
It's very busy going in and out of a classroom.
Not long after these people dispersed, one person ran in from outside, closed the door, and whispered: "My lord, I'm done. They will take the lead in donating. Then their money will be returned intact. The others will be dealt with to the court. , Seventy percent and seventy percent, seven of them, three of us."
The adult immediately said in a low voice: "Well done! Do it carefully, and don't reveal any flaws."
"My lord, don't worry, I've done things several times."
"That's good, and also, find a good substitute for the dead ghost."
"It's done. It's the Zhao Langzhong who got the job done. Isn't the lord already dissatisfied with him? If someone traces it, he did it!"
"It's better for no one to track down."
"Yes, the villain understands."
…
Chongzhen's imperial civil and military officials donated money. I don't know how many people were attracted, and countless pairs of eyes stared at the silver.
Zhou Zheng could not sit back and invite Liu Liuzhe.
"If I donate it, can I directly give it to the Ministry of War?" Zhou Zheng asked Liu Liuzhe. He knew that the money would go to the Ministry of Households, and he was afraid that there would be no one for ten. There were very few people who could use this to fight against Kong Youde.
Liu Liuzhe shook his head and said, "Second Young Master, if you give 200,000 yuan to the Ministry of War, let's wait for your home to be ransacked. Donate anonymously, the Ministry of War cannot accept it. Besides, the Ministry of War may not be cleaner than the Ministry of War."
Zhou Zheng was also a person who had been in officialdom for a long time, and asked, "Is there any way I can use my money to suppress bandits?"
Liu Liuche smiled bitterly and said, "Second Young Master, you know these things better than me, and it's useless to ask me."
Zhou Zheng looked unwilling, he didn't know, he just wanted to know if there was any way he didn't know.
After all, he was still a little reconciled, Zhou Zhengdao: "Well, tell me your father-in-law, let him prepare fifty thousand taels of silver, and personally give it to Bi Shangshu."
Liu Liuzhe said: "Second Young Master, even if it is given to Bi Shangshu, it still has to be operated. If it is allocated, it will only be 5,000 taels left after two attempts."
Although angry at such a big event, the silver was exploited by a group of corrupt officials, Zhou Zheng could only say: "It's better than nothing, go."
Liu Liuzhe had to respond and said, "Well, I'll go to the shopkeeper of Shangguan."
As soon as Liu Liuzhe turned around, he saw Zhou Qingli standing outside the door and quickly said, "Master."
Zhou Qingli walked in, waved her hand to Liu Liuzhe, sat opposite Zhou Zheng, and said, "Liuzhe said five thousand taels, I'm afraid it is less than three thousand taels. No matter how much I give, I won’t be able to feed them enough. The heart will do."
Zhou Zheng poured a cup of tea for Zhou Qingli, shook his head, didn't want to mention this, and said, "Father, I think it won't be long before I have to go to Tianjin Wei, and then lead my troops to Shandong. Big brother also has to go to Yongping Mansion. There is only you at home. Now, be careful, write to me and discuss with your eldest brother before you decide."
Zhou Qingli heard the subtext in Zhou Zheng's words, smiled, and said: "I don't have such a big official addiction, and I won't come back just because I joined the cabinet."
When Zhou Zheng listened to his father Zhou's words, he felt a little relieved.
…
While waiting for the imperial court’s order, Zhou Zheng ordered Meng Hezhou to step up intelligence collection and infiltration in Shandong, especially Denglai and other places, ready to enter Shandong to quell the rebellion at any time.
Cao Bianjiao, Zhang Cunren, He Kegang and others in Tianjin Guard have been rectifying the army, counting the soldiers, and waiting for Zhou Zheng to go to Tianjin Guard to lead the troops to Shandong to quell the rebellion.
But ten days later, a major event happened to the imperial court again, that is, the trickery donated this time was exposed, the ruling and the opposition shook, the supervisor frantically impeached, Chongzhen was furious, but for another time he did not deal with it immediately.
Because it not only involves many high-ranking officials, but also some honorable ministers. For example, Zhang Guoji, the father of Empress Zhang of the Apocalypse, is involved. He donated 10,000 yuan in the morning and was sent back in the evening. Got three thousand taels!
Bi Ziyan, who was the official of the household department, immediately sealed the donation of silver and went to the palace to plead guilty. Zhou Yanru and Wen Tiren were naturally indispensable.
Chongzhen was extremely angry, looking at so many people, there was no way to deal with it, and he was stalemate for a while. (End of this chapter)