He couldn't believe that Zhang Ke, a young junior who had been an official in Beijing for less than five years, could show such great talent!
Although the subordinates who knelt down in fear did not dare to reply, this case was supervised by Pei Yu.
As for the purpose, as a close confidant of Pei Yu, he can naturally guess the purpose.
Pei Yu began to be afraid of Zhang Ke.
"Sir, sir, let's think about what to do first. That Zhang Ke is really cunning. In this way, not only is he not guilty, but he has also made a meritorious deed."
After all, Pei Yu has been in power for many years, and he can still figure out Jiang Yue's thoughts.
After calming down, he considered it carefully.
Meritorious service is meritorious service, but in this way, Zhang Ke's personal achievements far surpassed the King of Chu. Without the support of the King of Chu, King Ning would not be able to recruit him even though I am here. If this continues, Zhang Ke will still fall into A dilemma.
"Nothing, please continue the investigation. Isn't it clear that the whereabouts of the 30,000 taels of silver are still unclear? If there are really no clues, then just give them some excuse."
Pei Yu quickly adjusted his thoughts and gave the order to go down.
"Yes." The subordinate then stepped back with confidence. After all, the prime minister is still the prime minister, and he is not comparable to the young Zhang Ke.
Qianyuan Palace, in front of the dragon bed.
Zhang Ke knelt on the ground and explained in detail how the funds for the canal project were spent.
"When the canal project was still being planned, Weichen spent 50,000 taels of silver to buy out land within a five-mile radius of several docks. While recruiting workers half a month before the start of construction, he began to sell the surrounding land and convert it one by one. I earned 300,000 taels of silver from this, and later many of the workers we hired were workers from other places. As long as they had money, Weichen would let them work with peace of mind at the lowest price, plus food and lodging included."
"Wait! Food and accommodation included? This is another big expense!" Jiang Yue interrupted him, confused.
Zhang Ke explained respectfully: "Your Majesty! Weichen did not sell the best part of the dock directly. Instead, he collected it under the name of the government and asked the businessmen to provide food and accommodation in exchange for the right to lease the land. When the canal project is completed, the land will be They are given priority in both buying and selling, and the businessmen are very happy with this condition, and even continuously improve the food and accommodation conditions for the workers in order to be selected in the bidding."
After listening to Zhang Ke's words, Jiang Yue said thoughtfully: "I have read the report before, saying that the canal project is started in sections at the same time, so it can be completed in more than two years. Did you come up with this idea?"
"Reporting to your Majesty, this is the result of discussions between the ministers and other ministers under the leadership of His Royal Highness the King of Chu. During this period, the cooperation of officials, merchants and people in Luocheng and Kangcheng was also indispensable. Naturally, the most important thing is that your Majesty is wise and powerful. , supported the canal project decided by King Chu!"
Zhang Ke didn't dare to take all the credit, he took all the credit from top to bottom.
Looking at the humble and respectful Zhang Ke, Jiang Yue admired him from the bottom of his heart, but he couldn't show it for the time being.
After all, the reason why Pei Yu targeted the King of Chu so much was because the one he wanted to capture most was Zhang Ke.
The allocation given was not enough, so Zhang Ke thought of a way to earn 300,000 taels of silver on his own.
The ability to start construction on multiple river sections at the same time also relies on this money.
"I heard that you were born in Jiangnan. Jiangnan is rich, with many talented people and many businessmen. It seems that you have done both." Jiang Yue said calmly, but the affection revealed in his tone was still beyond words.
Zhang Ke lowered his head and did not dare to reply. It seemed that he had left an impression on the emperor this time.
After a long period of calm, Jiang Yue leaned down and waved his hand: "You and Fu Lie can go down, there is no need to go to the prison."
"I thank the Lord for your kindness." Zhang Ke bowed again.
In Beijing at the end of May, it was so hot that people didn’t dare to go out.
In a quiet alley in Nancheng, Wen Qingzhu was sitting in an open-air tea shed with a bowl of poplar nectar in front of him.
Unlike Houfuli, this bowl of dessert is served warm.
Lu Tao stood behind her, fanning her, and at the same time looked at the dry goods store diagonally opposite and said, "Miss, will their store really be open today?"
"Yes, Jasmine has inquired. They will definitely open the door within three days at most."
Wen Qingzhu picked out the bowl of poplar nectar with a spoon. It wasn't that it tasted bad, but that she couldn't eat it after eating it for three days.
"It's open, it's open!" Lu Tao's hands suddenly became stronger and he pointed over there excitedly.
Wen Qingzhu turned around and saw that the closed door of the dry goods store finally opened.
The person who opened the door was an old man. He looked old, but he was still in good spirits.
"Let's go." Wen Qingzhu stood up and walked over there.
When we arrived at the store, we were greeted by a musty smell.
Wen Qingzhu couldn't help covering his nose, and carefully looked at the situation in the store.
"Madam, do you want to buy some groceries?"
The old man opened the half-curtain that blocked his view before and walked out from the inner room.
Wen Qingzhu asked while looking at the goods in the store: "Well, I heard that the boss can buy Cangzhou's mushrooms and fungus here, so I came here specially."
The old man was startled: "At the end of last year, Cangzhou was out of stock, and I don't have it here anymore."
"Really?" Wen Qingzhu said with regret on his face, "My husband has been in poor health recently, so I found someone to sell the old hens. I heard that the mushrooms in Cangzhou are different from those elsewhere, so I came here."
The old man looked at Wen Qingzhu and turned to leave, and quickly called out to her: "Madam, wait a minute! Since I am replenishing your wife's body, I have the contact information of the previous delivery merchant. Madam, why don't you try to contact her?"
Wen Qingzhu walked over gratefully and thanked him again and again: "Thank you, boss! Thank you so much. This is a piece of silver that I plan to buy mushrooms. It's only five taels. I hope the boss won't dislike it."
While talking, Wen Qingzhu put the money into the old man's hand.
The old man wanted to refuse, but seeing how enthusiastic she was, he finally accepted it.
After getting the contact information he wanted, Wen Qingzhu left with Lu Tao.
Not long after she left, a young man came to visit and wanted to buy dry goods from Cangzhou.
The old man felt something was wrong, so he explained a few words apologetically. After watching the young man leave, he thought for a long time and finally chose to close the store.
Not long after returning to the Hou Mansion, Wen Qingzhu got the news that Su Huo also went to the dry goods store.
She couldn't help but smile and said: "Mr. Su is a very busy person, but he can still go in person. Fortunately, we stayed there in advance, otherwise we really wouldn't be able to get this contact information."
Looking down at the contact information given by the old man on the desktop, he found that it was still identified in Wu Clan characters.
Not long after, Lu Tao came back and brought news of the investigation.
"Madam, it has been found out that the 30,000 taels of silver consumed by the canal project were taken to Cangzhou by a dry goods merchant."
Wen Qingzhu smiled, pointed at the paper on the table and said, "Give this to Fu Shiyi. After waiting for so long, he should appear in everyone's sight."
Lu Tao picked up the crumpled paper, put it away carefully, then turned around and retreated.
Two days later, Pei Yu secretly sent someone to Cangzhou to personally go to Jingzhao Mansion to check the merchant's transactions.
After many investigations and confirmations, Pei Yu finally grasped the evidence that the King of Chu and the King of Runan secretly colluded.
Although thirty thousand taels of silver is only a small matter, colluding with King Runan is a major matter of forming a clique for personal gain.
What's more, King Runan had not interfered in the affairs of the capital for many years, but this time he actually had contact with King Chu.
Now he just needs to wait for the people from Cangzhou to bring back the witnesses.
Perhaps because he was in a good mood, Pei Yu went to Fu Shishi's house while he was taking a bath.
Seeing the impoverished Fu Shiyi, Pei Yu felt compassion in his heart.
The reason why Fu Shiyi was demoted was because of improper handling of Ganzhou's deficit.
It doesn't matter whoever does this, Fu Shi is just a scapegoat.
When Zhang Yao personally brought the tea, Pei Yu was a little surprised: "Are you two alone at home?"
Fu Shixi nodded: "Yes, I did things improperly before, which affected many colleagues. They all have mothers and wives and children, so I put in a little effort."
Pei Yu suddenly admired Fu Shiyi in his heart: "You are also the number one scholar, so you shouldn't be buried like this. In this situation, Miss Zhang didn't leave because she was kind and righteous. What are your plans next?"
Hearing these last words, Fu Shiyi was startled.
When he received Wen Qingzhu's evidence before, it also came with a letter.
The letter said that he should go to Pei Yu with the evidence, and he would naturally come to your door when the time comes.
When she saw the situation between him and Zhang Yao, she would definitely praise him first and then ask him about his plans.
Now hearing Pei Yu's words, Fu Shiyi was more shocked than surprised.
What was pleasantly surprised was that Pei Yu revealed his intention to support him. What was shocking was that Wen Qingzhu actually understood Pei Yu's thoughts clearly.
He even guessed his next plan.
"Not yet." Fu Shiyi chose to tell the truth.
The letter also said that if he told the truth, Pei Yu would make two suggestions.
One is to let him find Fu Yu and reconcile with the Fu family.
One is to go over with peace of mind and follow Prince Ning again.
When Pei Yu heard Fu Shiyi say this, he was also expecting it.
After all, when his sister died tragically, the Fu family had a certain responsibility, and the King of Chu couldn't shirk it.
Prince Ning introduced him as a scapegoat last time, so Fu Shiyi had no choice.
"Although I know your situation, there are only two ways to resolve your current predicament. One is to put aside your hatred and join forces with Fu Yu, and the other is to put aside your grudge and go back to Prince Ning."
At this point, Fu Shiyi felt even more complicated.
The eyes that he looked at Pei Yu also became more sympathetic. If Pei Yu knew that his actions and words were expected by others, it would be difficult for Pei Yu, who has always been conceited, to accept it.
"Do you think my suggestion is not good?" Pei Yu found that he couldn't understand Fu Shiyi.
Fu Shiyi stood up and bowed to Pei Yu seriously and thanked him: "Thank you very much, Prime Minister, for your suggestion. Please let me think about it."
"Okay, think about it slowly, I'll be waiting for you."
After sending Pei Yu out in person, Fu Shiyi saw that Pei Yu's sedan was gone and then closed the door.
He thought of the last suggestion in Wen Qingzhu's letter.
You don’t have to choose, because once you choose, you surrender to reality.
It is this kind of people that Pei Yu hates.
So you have only one choice. After at least three days and no more than five days, go to Pei Yu and express your attitude and willingness to follow him.
"Brother Eleven, what's wrong with you?" Zhang Yao's voice came from behind.
Fu Shiyi closed the door bolt and turned around to see Zhang Yao's face stained with the black smoke from the earth stove.
Seeing this, Fu Shiyi had no intention of following Wen Qingzhu's suggestion, but he felt that it was okay to suffer himself and let Yaoyao, a girl who had been pampered since childhood, suffer with him...
For some reason, Fu Shiyi thought of his dead sister.
I had suffered with him for many years, and I thought that joining the Fu family would bring about all the hardships.
But he didn't want to enter the palace with one move and lose his life.
Fu Shiyi walked over and wiped the black smoke from Zhang Yao's face seriously: "It's okay. Prime Minister Pei came over to ask about my situation. In a short time, you won't have to work so hard."
Zhang Yao had never been so close to Fu Shiyi. Her cheeks suddenly turned red and she murmured, "It's not bitter, it's good to have brother Shiyi with me."
Hearing Zhang Yao's sensible words, Fu Shiyi felt even more guilty.