Lu Zuo smiled slightly, "Otherwise, the emperor would not have specially summoned you to the palace at night, the emperor either wants to test the prince, or he really wants to hear your opinion." ”

"Mr. Lu is really clever, at that time, the emperor and his old man said, I am his son, there is no need to hide it, but it doesn't hurt to say it. So I thought that the emperor had always been arbitrary, how could he summon me so suddenly? Also ask for my opinion? I think this king must have deliberately tested me to see my attitude towards the prince's actions. So I said that Xia Jingying was old and serious, and he had been in the Ministry of Officials for some years, and I deliberately said that the prince had always valued him very much, so it was only appropriate for him to take over the Ministry of Households. Liu Xun was quite proud when he talked about the back.

Lu Zuo also nodded, "The prince's move is very good, he didn't show his feet, and he endured it for a while before he could calm down." So how could he be involved? ”

"At that time, when the king had just finished speaking, the emperor said that this matter was not only recommended by the crown prince to him, but also recommended by the emperor."

"Oh?" Lu Zuo's face sank like water, "That's right, no wonder the emperor has been hesitating, it turns out that this old fox can't sit still." It seems that it is the right time to get rid of Xia Jingying in the household department first. ”

In the evening, the Mashi market has gradually embellished with various night lights, the lights and shadows swayed from time to time in the cold wind, and the most spacious street of Mashi Street is located the prince's mansion, the huge palace lamp is not moving in the cold wind, and more than a dozen guards are standing at the door in high spirits. At this time, an official sedan chair stopped opposite the gate, and a middle-aged man dressed as a housekeeper carefully opened the sedan curtain and said softly: "Master, the prince's mansion has arrived, you slow down!" ”

"Well......" A majestic response voice came from the sedan chair, and then a middle-aged man in court clothes walked out of the sedan chair. Against the backdrop of the setting sun, the man's face was fair, the corners of his eyes were obviously crow's feet, his thin hump was a black mustache under his nose, and his tall body completely compared to the thin servants around him. Without looking at the housekeeper beside him, he asked, "Have you presented the post?" ”

The butler looked up and replied with a smile: "It's sent in, someone should come out this time." ”

Sure enough, the people in the mansion walked down the stone steps to the man, and arched his hand: "Lord Xia, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is waiting for you in the Qiuwan Pavilion." Please come with me! The servant then made a gesture of invitation.

"Hmmm! I'm sorry for you, let's lead the way! ”

The autumn pavilion in winter, under the glow of the sunset, is more and more soft, but as soon as the cold wind blows, the dry lotus in the pond will float on the water, and occasionally see a few koi fish competing for food in the water, Liu Yan laughed, and the imperial historian Du Zongting behind him also laughed.

The subordinate came to Liu Yan in small steps, and reported in a low voice: "His Royal Highness the Prince, Lord Xia has already arrived, waiting outside the corridor?" ”

"Oh!" Liu Yan didn't look back, and said loudly, "Then don't invite in!" ”

"Yes......"

Du Zongting heard that Xia Jingying, the head of the household department, was coming, so he asked, "Your Highness, what do you see...... Do you want to avoid it? ”

The corners of Liu Yan's mouth raised, "No need!" ”

Suddenly, Xia Jingying walked to the foot of the Qiu Bang Pavilion in small steps, knelt down and saluted, "Student Xia Jingying pays a visit to the prince Chitose." ”

Liu Yan laughed loudly and turned around, "Eh, Lord Xia is very polite, please get up quickly!" You were on the emperor's list at the age of twenty-one, and you have been in the officialdom for almost 20 years. ”

"Don't dare, Xiaguan ...... this time" Xia Jingying glanced up at the side, it turned out to be Du Zongting, the imperial historian, so he didn't continue, just nodded to Du Zongting, "Lord Du is also here!" ”

Du Zongting also nodded to Xia Jingying, "Lord Xia is fine!" ”

Liu Yan stepped forward unhurriedly to help Xia Jingying, "Lord Xia doesn't have to be restrained, Lord Du is also my person." ”

Du and Xia smiled and bowed their hands to each other. Xia Jingying continued: "If it weren't for Your Highness's support this time, the little one wouldn't know what to do?" So the small one prepared a little light gift, and the party will be sent, and please smile at Your Highness. ”

"Lord Xia is polite, isn't it?" Liu Yan patted Xia Jingying's shoulder, "You can have this heart!" Moreover, now that the emperor's grandfather and his old man are strictly investigating corruption, you are in a hurry to give gifts when you are promoted to this official, but I am afraid that it will attract tongue! ”

"Your Highness rest assured, the lower officials will definitely do it ...... airtight"

Before Xia Jingying finished speaking, Liu Yan cut him off, "No need! The prince said sharply, "The household department is now in deficit, and many people have not recovered the money borrowed by various officials. Therefore, the lack of your top household is not to hide dirt and dirt! ”

Xia Jingying's face sank, "Xia Guan is also here for this matter." ”

Liu Yan turned his back, then nodded, and looked at the sunset on the wall, "Grandpa Huang has always wanted to take back this silver, but because of the situation, he didn't start several times, this time his old man finally promised you to take over this shortage, we have a lot to do now!" ”

Xia Jingying's forehead was beading with sweat, and his tall body bowed like a shrimp, "Your Highness, you should also know that the older this official is, the more money he needs, not to mention that the officials of the imperial court owe money to the treasury, and even many princes and grandsons often seconded the silver taels of the household department, if you really want to let your subordinates collect these arrears, I am afraid that you will offend many people." ”

"What are you afraid of! Isn't there still a main palace! Liu Yan looked indifferent and didn't care, "This palace also owes 100,000 taels of silver to the household, don't worry, this palace will be the first to make up for these silver." And our people, I will urge them. ”

"But the lower officials have read the bills, and some of them are huge, I'm afraid that they won't be able to make it up for a while, right?"

"Then you don't have to worry about it, if you are above the fifth grade of Jingguan, all our people, let them have as much as they want, and the rest of the palace will make up for it."

"This ......," Xia Jingying frowned and felt embarrassed, "That's not a small amount in total, but it adds up to more than a million taels!" ”

Liu Yan was silent for a moment, "I'm afraid that the officials are also our people now, and Master Quan said that he will solve it." ”

Xia Jingying seems to understand that the Ministry of Officials is a fat shortage, and now that the prince is in control of this life, then money is not a problem, "You mean selling the official mantle?" ”

Liu Yan turned his head and glanced at Xia Jingying, Xia Jingying hurriedly bowed down and apologized, "The subordinates have lost their words, they have lost their words!" Please also ask Your Highness for forgiveness. ”

"Everyone says you're a sincere person, I see you, you're not stupid!" Liu Yan continued to look at the sky, "You can handle this matter for me, the question of money, the palace will send it together at that time, and the emperor will definitely let you do this in a few days, don't be soft at that time." ”

"What do you mean, Your Highness?"