The gold list of Enke in the eighth year of Chunjia was just released, and the candidates for the husbands of the three princesses are already obvious: the number one winner is Wang Linglai, who is recognized as talented in Jiangnan, where the literary style is prosperous; the second person on the list is Wang Linglai, who became famous in one battle at the end of last year Nie Bochen from Qiongzhou; Tanhua is Xie Wuzheng, the true concubine’s blood cousin.
The second person was rumored to be Chen Jian, a talented man from the North, and the few who followed him were also scholars from poor families from all over the country... Only after about seven or eight people could one see the disciples of high-ranking families.
The best-ranked high-ranking disciple is Yun Suke, the direct nephew of Duke Yi Guo and the direct cousin of Yun Qike, one of the emperor's companions.
The extent to which the emperor was biased can be imagined.
Among these people, Wang Linglai, the number one scholar, has the best family background. His ancestors were wealthy businessmen, and he had already made a fortune in the previous dynasty. It is said that his family has a fortune of tens of millions, and his family members have been shrewd and powerful for several generations.
It was just that the previous dynasty suppressed merchants and did not allow merchants to participate in the imperial examination in the future.
When Emperor Taizu of the Chinese dynasty started his career, he relied on a few wealthy businessmen to spread their wealth. Therefore, after the ban was lifted, the Wang family began to establish a clan school, hire famous teachers to teach their children, and turned into Confucian businessmen.
While taking care of the family business, he also managed to join the noble family.
After all, he started late and has never produced particularly outstanding talents. He has paid a lot of price so far. The highest-ranking member of the clan has only been the governor of one state and has never entered the central government.
Yun Fenghuang speculated that Chunjia selected Wang Linglai as the top pick because he was interested in the fact that he had a wealthy family and was eager to produce a clan member who could become a general or prime minister.
After all, seizing power is also very expensive.
Although Chunjia was not considered extravagant and wasteful, after the death of Shenzong, Xiaozong basically never won the power struggle with his maternal family. In the later period, he was even bedridden and unable to take care of things. The Ji family had the final say both internally and externally. From that time on, From then on, until Chunjia came to power, it was not the emperor who had the final say in the treasury, so the things that disappeared inexplicably were not a little bit... In general, Chunjia now needs the king just like His Majesty Emperor Taizu back then. The support of a wealthy businessman like this.
In particular, Wang Linglai's reputation for talent and learning is worthy of the title of No. 1 Scholar.
Therefore, as long as the Wang family is knowledgeable and interested, willing to worry about the emperor's needs, and Wang Linglai does not behave like a monster, it is conceivable that this person's career will not be bad.
"Those who come from merchant families, even if they have read the books of saints and sages, must have developed the habit of working hard." Yun Fenghuang looked at the list and hummed, and muttered to the emperor, "Their family is now a businessman and the best are officials. As long as they can Let this Wang Linglai occupy a high position, no matter what path he takes! The merchants are pursuing profit over justice, so please be aware of the situation and don't let Wei Liushou's incident happen again."
This sounds like he is thinking about Chunjia, but in fact he is afraid that Wang Ling, who is both talented and beautiful, has a wealthy family, and has a trouble-making temperament raised in a merchant family, will steal the limelight from his brothers in the future.
Although Chunjia knew the nature of the concubine, the two of them had a good relationship in the past two days, so he readily agreed and told her, "I haven't decided yet whether to recruit her as my consort."
After all, there are only three princesses, and this one has already received the benefit of being the number one scholar. In terms of talent and learning, in fact, the one who writes the best in Jinke is from a high family...
Yun Fenghuang was relieved.
But within two days, she told the emperor again: "Actually, Wang Linglai's ancestors were merchants. Since His Majesty Emperor Taizu lifted the ban on the imperial examinations for merchants' children, he invited teachers to teach the children of the clan. Over the years, he can be regarded as a scholar. Yes, there have been several officials in the clan, which shows that they cannot be regarded as pure businessmen. Furthermore, I heard that the Wang family has been giving soup and building bridges in the south of the Yangtze River for many years, and is recognized as a benevolent family. Children from such a family , Loyalty, filial piety, integrity and humility are bound to be correct. My previous evaluation was a bit too biased, so please forgive me."
"This Wang Ling is very promising in the coming years, and he is also well-mannered and sensible. He is a good match for the princess."
Chunjia was surprised: "That's not what you said before... And how can Wang Linglai know etiquette and know the rules of business, so that you can immediately change your view of him in such a short time?"
He knew that his true concubine was not so easy to convince!
Especially brother Xie Wuzheng needs to be favored. Who has the ability at this moment to let the true concubine overturn the previous suggestion and even take the initiative to persuade the emperor to surrender the princess and Wang Linglai
"Hmm..." Yun Fenghuang thought for a moment and said sincerely, "His previous thirteenth sister-in-law sent someone to look for me and asked her to give me two hundred thousand taels of cosmetics money. I feel that, This is the first time I have seen such a sensible person in my life, and I cannot but recommend it to His Majesty."
Chunjia resented the lack of steel: "My dear concubine, how can you be so interested in me for only 200,000 yuan?"
You can delay it for a few days and be reserved!
As a result, Yun Fenghuang took two steps closer and whispered: "Wang Ling is here to tell me. If things come true, I will be so filial every year in the future."
Such a scapegoat, what if when I wanted to take Qiao, he went to find Concubine Xuan and Concubine Rui instead, or even directly went to Xingning Bo Mansion to follow the path of Empress Dowager Yuan
"..." Chunjia was silent for a while this time and asked in a low voice, "Who do you think is suitable between Minghui and Jinyun?"
The emperor and the concubines only discussed this issue briefly and reached a consensus: Princess Minghui is the legitimate daughter of Emperor Xiaozong and the only legitimate heir!
Although Wang Linglai is both talented and beautiful, he is the number one scholar in high school and his family is rich and generous. However, there is a huge gap between family backgrounds, so how can he be worthy of being a direct descendant? This opinion was repeatedly conveyed to Wang Linglai, and Wang Linglai was disappointed. The people sent by the Wang family to assist him had already understood: " Young Master, what the palace means is that we need more money!"
Otherwise, why would you emphasize the nobility of Princess Minghui if you reject her outright
"...Give!" Wang Linglai breathed a sigh of relief and said decisively, "This opportunity is once in a lifetime. If you miss it, I'm afraid my father and brothers in the family will beat their chests and regret it!"
"I just heard what the people around Mrs. Chen said, the appearance of Her Royal Highness Princess Minghui..." She reminded in a low voice, "Some, um, different from ordinary people?"
Wang Linglai waved his hand and didn't care at all: "My family is rich, but when has there ever been a lack of stunning beauty? Besides, am I the kind of person who values beauty?"
Anyway, the dynasty did not prohibit a concubine from being a concubine.
It's okay even if it's banned. The worst thing is, just keep it outside.
If it didn't work out, he had to choose one, and he would definitely choose the princess. After all, the help that the golden branches and jade leaves brought to him and his family in his career was beyond the reach of ordinary women.
Although the Jiangnan Wang family is not a wealthy family that has been around for generations, it is still a family that has been rich for more than ten generations. As a direct descendant with high hopes, Wang Linglai still has this awareness.
He was even very lucky: "Thanks to my family's great wealth, His Majesty's favored true concubine came from a humble background and was able to bribe her with money. For example, Nie Bochen, who was second in the list, had some friendship with Na Xie Wuzheng, but for such a big matter, he had to On the condition that he will only follow the horse's lead from now on, I implore him to try to ask the real concubine to mediate... And when it comes to Chen Jian, even if he wants to sell himself, he has no way to get in... "
This is true. In fact, although Xie Wuzheng helped Nie Bochen pass the message to Yun Fenghuang, Yun Fenghuang did not agree: "There are only three princesses in the palace. I beg Princess Penglai for my brothers." , I received benefits and persuaded Your Majesty to choose Wang Ling, so there is only one Your Highness left. If I am the one who makes the decision, then is this the decline of the three princesses that I am presiding over, or is Your Majesty the one who makes the decision?"
"Everything is done in moderation. It's hard for me to talk about this matter again."
"Even if Your Majesty is partial to me now, you won't care. Not to mention whether your Majesty will react in the future and whether he will be bored with me. Let's just say that there is still a loving mother, the Queen Mother, the Queen Mother in the palace, and there are the Queen Mother and the Queen Mother in the palace. The Empress Dowager and the biological mother of the three princesses are also here... Do you really think that I can decide their life-long affairs at will?"
You must know how much thought and effort she put into promoting the master of the Xie family. This is because Xie's own conditions meet Chunjia's requirements for her sister-in-law, and Xie Wuzheng's talents have been recognized by Chunjia. .
As for Wang Ling, it goes without saying that Yun Fenghuang Jinyan was not really just interested in the benefits he offered - of course this was very important - mainly because his sister-in-law, who knew that Chunjia needed such a money bag, would probably not be rejected if he recommended it in the past. , just promised.
Otherwise, she is not stupid. She wants to displease the emperor for two hundred thousand taels of silver
But Nie Bochen, although he showed his face in front of the emperor for a while, unlike Xie Wuzheng, he had a beloved concubine and sister who helped remind the emperor from time to time.
At this moment, whether the emperor still remembers him or not is a question.
the most important is!
Where is this person from
Qiongzhou.
It's not that I look down on Qiongzhou. The key point is that Qiongzhou in the imperial dynasty is remote and not an important tax place. It has not produced any giants in recent years. In terms of current situation, it is quite stable so far.
In other words, this place is not the main source of the treasury, and there is no possibility of turmoil. It also has no close relationship with any of the important officials of the temple, so it cannot be included in the temple's focus.
For example, the Beidi where the Xie family is located has not collected a large amount of taxes over the years. However, firstly, it is the permanent residence of the Dingbei Army, and the Dingbei Army supports the regent; secondly, it is located next to Wei He, an evil neighbor, so it is uncertain whether The fight will start one day.
Another example is Jiangnan, where the Wang family is located. According to the records of the previous dynasty, it is "the foundation of the country, looking up to the southeast"... There is no geographical advantage. Even if Nie Bochen is indeed thoughtful and talented, Chunjia is willing to invest in him. As a princess, Yun Fenghuang is not sure.
Well, the key point is that the benefits he can provide are not very attractive in Yun Fenghuang's opinion, so he naturally doesn't bother to think about it: "If you just follow the horse's lead, let's just listen to him. After all, if you really want to Lord, we are both brothers-in-law and royal consorts. If he breaks the promise, how can we persuade the princess to make peace with him? Even if he keeps his word at first, who knows what will happen after a few years?"
"Besides, Brother Twenty-one is now a prodigy, and he will become a consort in the future. He already has the capital to impress the same year, so he doesn't necessarily have to be Nie Bochen, right?"
Xiao Chen persuaded her: "I'd better mention it to Your Majesty, so that even if His Majesty doesn't agree, the twenty-first brother will have an explanation for me. Otherwise, people will think that the twenty-first brother can't speak in front of you."
This makes sense. Yun Fenghuang pondered for a while and said: "Forget it, my sister-in-law will just reply to Brother Twenty-one. I will talk to His Majesty in private... Just don't have high hopes."
"Don't worry, Madam, I will let them know what they know." Little Chen nodded, "I was just thinking that the twenty-first brother is not from our fourth room after all. He is young and it is the first time he speaks like this. If so, If I get rejected, I’m afraid I won’t be able to stand down in front of outsiders.”
Yun Fenghuang thought for a moment and said, "I made a mistake. Thanks to my sister-in-law for reminding me."
After all, Xie Wuzheng has already decided to be the master, and the marriage decree is already being drawn up. When this brother becomes the consort, although the status gap between him and Yun Fenghuang will still exist, it will not be like now, when he will be respectful and without rejection in front of her. room.
So even if they are full cousins, they can't be too casual.
After all, they have not been together since they were young, and their love is shallow or deep. For the sake of long-term considerations in the future, it is better to be polite to each other.
Otherwise, you may have a grudge at any time.
It was only Yun Fenghuang who agreed to do this. Before he could find a suitable opportunity, Zhao took action!