Since the end of the year, pedestrians in Qedu market often wear "moths" made of black gold paper. With the Spring Festival approaching, ordinary people compete to make cakes and cooked meat in their homes. The palace purchased the materials for the banquet for the hundred officials half a month in advance.
Xiao Chiye flipped through the pamphlet and said, "When a foreign official enters the capital, he has to offer 'Bing Jing' to the capital. But Pan Rugui is so powerful, he keeps the list in a neat and orderly manner, and only pays according to the order. Peaceful."
"This is just the 'broken silver' at the beginning of the year." Lu Guangbai brushed the tea foam, "I'll give you an account. The little eunuch under Pan Rugui's hand, the silver received in one year is far more than the two years' military salary of the frontier Qianhu guardhouse. When we use troops in the anniversary year, every time the Ministry of Household calls us to send troops, we always ask our grandfather to tell our grandmother, and we can’t wait to coax us as our own father. After the war is over, we will become grandchildren who want to pay the bills.”
"The rich are the masters." Xiao Chiye said with a smile.
"Rescue the driver a few years ago, and we marched in the snow from the north. The soldiers and horses are tired, and the equipment of the iron cavalry must be repaired before the spring. The workshop owes money for many days, and it needs money everywhere." I calculated it in my heart and said, "Before entering the capital, the annual grains of the North Army will be discounted as silver taels, and we have to spend our days carefully. We, the princes and concubines, do not dare to buy expensive clothes for the mansion during the festivals. Pan Rugui is one of them. The internal eunuch, the money collected has exceeded the total tax revenue of Duanzhou. The censors of supervision have been sent to the place, and they are all foxes and tigers, so what's the matter
"You're poor." Lu Guangbai sighed, "I worry about money every year. Now that I have entered the capital this time, it is for his own sake. , the money should be able to be transferred before leaving the capital."
"We have a big brother." Xiao Chiye put down the booklet and looked at Lu Guangbai, "What are you going to do?"
"Your Majesty doesn't see me." Lu Guangbai said, "The Lu family can't even eat it in Zhe, the Eight Great Families always treat us as savages in the desert, and the Hua family is even more disrespectful. But let me honor Pan Rugui, I have no money, and my family is so poor. I can’t open the pot. It’s an emergency way to reclaim the army in other places, but in our border county, the Huangsha is thousands of miles away, and there is no farmland. This time, the 20,000 people who ate on the road were all privately owned by Qi Dashuai. Silver. My words are not good. Thanks to Qi Dashuai's sympathy, otherwise my soldiers will not be able to pass the imperial concubine's palace. But how much silver does Qi Dashuai have? She takes all the dowry that the old concubine left for her in the past! Her own private affairs The soldiers are going out to sell trousers! The Ministry of Household does Tai Chi with me every day, why don't you do anything, put my account on it, just don't pay the money, and I can't do anything about Lu Guang Baitu turtle."
Lu Guangbai was rarely angry. He had no choice, because Bianjun was guarding the edge of the desert, and he was the garrison who had the most dealings with the Biansha cavalry except Libei. After a year of running around, begging for a living under a machete, I couldn't get enough sleep, and I would never be able to fill my stomach. Qi Du pressed him, and Bian Shabo had long since become a well-known pauper among the princes. His family's awards were never kept, and all of them were converted into silver to subsidize military supplies.
Xiao Jiming was neatly dressed, and the maids filed out. There were only four of them left in the room. Xiao Jiming took the tea cup, took a sip, and said calmly, "This year is a good time for the Zhengdan Official Banquet. Is it time for Qi Zhuyin to arrive?"
Lu Guangbai said: "That's right. I was worried at first, but then I thought about it. Let them drag it off. After the commander enters the capital, they can ask for their own blessings."
Xiao Jiming said: "Nowadays she enjoys the most food in Shedu, and even the ruffians who put 'tiger skin money'[1] in Shedu have to give her face. The previous account can be paid, but you can't just rely on her Come on. Bianjun is important. Yesterday, I listened to the wind. This year, the Ministry of Household wants you to recruit soldiers again."
Lu Guangbai rubbed the edge of the tea cup and said, "Recruitment? Don't even think about it. If something happened to the six states of Zhongbo, they were afraid of death. It’s not enough. But can soldiers be recruited, can I get money? I can’t afford it, and this year I’ll put a knife on my neck, and I won’t do it.”
Xiao Chiye suddenly sat upright and said, "Yes. In the past, the fastest allocated by the Ministry of Household were the military salaries and rations in the six states of Zhongbo, but this time the death is over, not to mention the money, what about the food? The Biansha cavalry ran away. At that time, you can’t take so much food with you.”
The remaining three looked at him.
Lu Guangbai said: "Stupid boy, don't worry about it. The grains taken back will make up the salaries owed to the thirteen cities of Juexi last year. Can you guess the reason why the Ministry of Household shied away? The cost is the best in Da Zhou. This money is all taken directly from the tax and silver. If you think about the amount of two million, everyone understands that this account is crazy. But the queen mother does not pursue it, and Hua Ge does not To investigate, who dares to mention it? The treasury is empty. Last year, the thirteen cities of Juexi were hit by a locust plague, and there was no real harvest. How can there be money for disaster relief? Officials opened illicit food for disaster relief. Jiang | Qingshan saved hundreds of thousands of people because of this, but was hated by officials in Juexi. From the second rank to the top official of the border, the 80-year-old mother in the family is still weaving cloth and repaying the debt! If you don't give any money, you will force people to death. In the end, it was Haige who played the role and dealt with the cabinet and Pan Rugui for half a month. This vacancy was barely filled.”
Zhaohui couldn't help but say: "Speaking of poverty, the bribes are all large amounts of money, and all those who do practical work have their heads and belts tied. It's better not to come this time. It's disheartening."
It was snowing outside the house, but there was no Chinese New Year atmosphere inside. The mess piled up, and all the new images were smoke clouds floating on the surface. The heavy wounds have not healed, but they still have to cover them, and the pus is dirty all over the place. The snow came well, covered beautifully, and could pretend not to see from the left and right, and everyone was drunk together.
* * *
Late at night, Pan Rugui closed his eyes and sat on the couch. The natural color paper flower is placed by his hand, so that he can wipe his hands after entering the meditation. Xiao Fuzi didn't dare to let out the air, so he carefully waited on the foot pier, holding a pencil case in his hand.
After half an hour, Pan Rugui sighed and opened his eyes. Xiao Fuzi immediately presented the pen, and Pan Rugui raised his eyebrows and mentioned a few words in his palm.
Xiao Fuzi flattered: "The old ancestor recently got the emperor's true inheritance, and he has become more and more immortal. Just looking at the grandson, he is rising faintly with purple energy!"
Pan Rugui wiped his hands and said, "Do you know why you can't be admitted to the Supervisor of Literacy?"
Xiao Fuzi said, "My ancestors love me."
"It's one thing to hurt you." Pan Rugui threw the paper flower into Xiao Fuzi's arms, "It's another thing to not win a wink. The emperor has been enlightened for two years, and there is no purple energy rising, I'm just a slave, how can I Ascend first? Isn't that arrogant?"
Xiao Fuzi handed Pan Rugui hot tea, and said with a hilarious smile: "The old ancestor is my master, and the old ancestor is my god. When I see the old ancestor entering the meditation, it is like seeing the old emperor descend to the world! How can I imagine that? So many."
"Yeah." Pan Rugui rinsed his mouth, "You're filial piety."
Xiao Fuzi smiled and leaned against Pan Rugui's feet, saying, "This is the New Year's Day, and I have to pay homage to my ancestors. When I was buying things a few years ago, I saw a stunning beauty in the village of the King of Chu! It is not necessary for the emperor, filial piety to you is the top priority."
Pan Rugui said, "How can she be more beautiful than the third young lady? Besides, isn't that from the King of Chu? The King of Chu's temper, domineering and domineering, I'm afraid it won't be so easy to let go, right?"
Xiao Fuzi said: "No matter how precious the king of Chu is, can he be more precious than the emperor? The emperor didn't say anything. Isn't it right to pay filial piety to the ancestors? Besides, don't take this matter to heart. I promise to make arrangements for you before the spring. That's right, you'll see you when the time comes, it's up to her to accept it or not."
Pan Rugui put down the tea cup and said, "I'm not in a hurry. I'm not a person who loves money and lust. Since you brought up the King of Chu, how is the second son of Xiao who has a temper with him and is so muddled recently?"
Xiao Fuzi thumped Pan Rugui's leg and said, "Hey! Old Ancestor, this Second Young Master Xiao is truly amazing. He entered Qidu, and from the first night, he has been drinking and eating with people until today! Nothing else matters. Doing it is eating, drinking and having fun. The King of Chu's group likes to play with him.
"That's fine... But he's from the Xiao family. The emperor put him too close to the Yiluan Division, which makes people feel uneasy." Pan Rugui thought about it for a moment, then suddenly smiled and said, "Our family thinks so. It's a good place, just right for him. Put on shoes, and I'll go to Mingli Hall to serve the emperor!"
The next day, there was a hundred official banquet for the Zhengdan Festival, and there was nothing to do at the banquet. When it was about to leave, I heard Emperor Xiande say.
"Aye, are you still comfortable in Yedu these few days?"
Xiao Chiye stopped peeling tangerines and replied, "Go back to the emperor, it's comfortable."
Emperor Xiande turned to Xiao Jiming and said, "I have been thinking about it, putting Aye in the Yiluan Division. In the end, it is Qu Cai. He is also a good boy who has gone to the battlefield, and it is too embarrassing to stay in front of the imperial court. Ah Ye went to the forbidden army. The former governor of the forbidden army was Xi Gu'an, but now he has to manage the eight major battalions.
Lu Guangbai frowned immediately.
Yiluan Si was in front of the emperor anyway, and the emperor couldn't turn a blind eye when something happened. What is the embargo? The Imperial Army is now a handyman in Yedu. Is this a reward? Can this be called a reward
Lu Guangbai was about to get up, but saw that Xiao Chiye had already saluted.
"The Governor listens to his majesty and looks like a commander-in-chief." Xiao Chiye said with a smile, "Thank you, Your Majesty!"
Hua Ge laughed and said, "Your Majesty Shengming! Shizi, this is a boy from a hero."
There were waves of congratulations during the banquet, Xiao Jiming smiled and said nothing, only looking at Xiao Chiye.
Lu Guangbai drank and bowed his head, and said to Zhaohui next to him, "...This arrangement is clearly to kill the clear heart."
After dispersing the seats, Xiao Chiye ran away without a trace.
Friends wanting to congratulate him on his promotion, he took someone to eat a drink. After the third watch, everyone was shaking when they came out.
King Li Jianheng of Chu was a few years older than Xiao Chiye, and he was a real bastard. Before he got on the sedan chair, he was still pulling Xiao Chiye's sleeve, and said drunkenly, "You're going backwards! For the forbidden army, you don't need to worry about patrolling. The good things will be picked up by you kid! Have fun!"
Xiao Chiye also laughed, and he laughed even worse. He said, "Yeah, why don't we invite you to a drink now? Let's go together and roam the capital!"
"Yes, yes!" Li Jianheng patted Xiao Chiye hard on the shoulder, "I just want this ambition! Come to my mansion in a few days, I will let someone... Let me celebrate for you... "
Xiao Chiye watched the sedan chair go away, and got on his horse. His horse was a breed he had tamed with wild horses under the Hongyan Mountains.
Xiao Chiye slapped his horse and walked forward, the shops on both sides of the street lighting up the lights. He raised his hand and said, "Turn off, don't take pictures."
The shop guys looked at each other in dismay, not daring to disobey. The lanterns were extinguished one by one, and there was only the dim light of the cold moon and snow on the road.
Xiao Chiye gave a whistle, and Hai Dongqing swooped down in the night. He beat the horse and made a swift move, and the horse under his seat snorted hotly and ran abruptly.
The strong wind hit, and Xiao Chiye's wine fever was washed away. He was like a trapped beast colliding with his head in the night, and the sound of horse hooves was the loud noise of the collision. He galloped down the deserted streets, his smiling face ripped apart in the darkness, leaving only a cold and lonely silence.
I don't know how long the horse ran, Xiao Chiye suddenly rolled down. He slammed into the snow, burying his head for a moment.
The horse raised its hooves and touched him with its head down. Hai Dongqing stopped perched on the horse's back, tilted his head and looked at him.
Xiao Chiye endured it, stretched his arms and vomited. After a long time, he got up and leaned against the wall. The bone wrench between the fingers is a bit big, and I don't know where it has fallen. He was looking in the snow, but he heard someone whispering not far away, "Who is it?"
Xiao Chiye didn't answer.
The Imperial Guard Xiaoqi touched the lantern, looked at it and said, "How dare you be late at night... Sir?"
Xiao Chiye turned his head and said, "Do you recognize me?"
The Imperial Guard Xiaoqi shook his head honestly: "I don't know who you are..."
"I'm your eldest brother." Xiao Chiye threw away the dirty cloak and continued to look for his fingers. He scolded irritably and said, "Give me the lantern, you can get out of here."
The Imperial Guard Xiaoqi leaned over cautiously and said, "Second son, isn't it? We just got the order. It's not yet dawn, and the review is too early. You can come back tomorrow in time..."
Xiao Chiye stretched out his hand, and Xiao Qi handed over the lantern. He said, "Where is this place?"
Xiaoqi replied respectfully, "This is the side wall of Qedu, Zhaosin Temple."
Xiao Chiye said, "It's none of your business."
Xiaoqi stepped back to leave, and heard Xiao Chiye say, "Is Shen Zechuan here? Inside the wall?"
"Yeah." Xiao Qi became more and more uneasy, "People are locked in..."
"Let him out."
Xiaoqi was stunned for a moment, and hurriedly said: "How can this be achieved! The Governor is not successful! The emperor strictly ordered..."
Xiao Chiye lifted the lantern and said, "I'll say what I say about the forbidden army."
Xiaoqi tentatively said, "Don't kill, kill..."
"I fucking told him to come out and sing!" Xiao Chiye suddenly threw off the lantern and extinguished it in a flash. He stood in the dark, his eyes gloomy.
The author has something to say: [1]: usury.