Suncheonfu. The capital of the Ming Dynasty. The first good district. Naturally, it was full of royal relatives and princes. The end is where the dignity is incomparable.

Of course. Naturally, these powerful ruling classes will not live on the same street as ordinary people. The city of Beijing in the Ming Dynasty was divided into an outer city and an inner city. Except for the Imperial City, which is located in the middle of the inner city. The inner and outer cities are naturally places for ordinary people to live.

But this is the abode of ordinary people. It is also divided into regions. Because there are still many dignitaries and dignitaries who want to live here. Most of these people live in the inner city. After all, many of them have to wake up early every morning. Get ready. Then they rode a horse or sat in a sedan chair to go to the imperial city to discuss matters. Therefore, most of these people lived in the inner city, which was relatively close to the imperial city. Of course. How to live in addition. It's up to you.

Of course. There are many houses in the inner city that look and feel very comfortable to live in. Most of them were princes and nobles. Or those of the ministers. Some people are demoted to concubines because they have made mistakes. And some were taken away from their black gauze hats because they took advantage of their positions for favoritism and the like. But no matter what. This is a must-copy. After the emperor punished these people. The houses were empty. Of course. As an emperor, he naturally won't let these things go to waste. If there is a minister in the court who has made a great contribution or something. This mansion became an inevitable item for the emperor's reward. Anyway, it won't cost him a penny. What is there to feel sorry for. And it can also reflect the generosity of being an emperor. Award people according to their contributions.

But. This category of people is only a small number. After all, there are many powerful people in the entire Shuntian Mansion. But except for those princes and nobles, they rely on their ancestors to be shaded. You can confidently stay outside of the gorgeous house. There are only those ministers who have been rewarded by the emperor. For example, Zhang Fan is like this.

And the rest. But there are very few people who live in such a glamorous mansion that attracts people's eyes. Most of them live in one place, although it is not gorgeous, but it is definitely not shabby. It doesn't look good on the outside, but inside it's quite a rich house. The situation looks bizarre at first glance. After all, in the eyes of the people. Each of these officials and gentlemen has a lot of money. How can you not have the money to renovate your house?

In fact, it is precisely because of the money. And the richer the person. The more dilapidated the place where he lived. It's simple. How much money they have been officials for a year? Where will there be so much spare money to swing around. It's not all greedy. It is precisely because the money came from the wrong way. So everyone follows the same principle. Wealth is not exposed.

Zhang Fan is now standing in front of a palatial mansion. He sighed and looked at the house in front of him. The owner of this mansion had never received a reward from the emperor or anything like that. And all the people in the DPRK and China know it. The house was purchased out of the pocket of the owner of the house. But no one ever showed any other thoughts about it. Whether it's the ministers. Or those imperial historians who specialize in picking thorns. Even if the owner of the house is Tobe Shangshu. Such an official who is in charge of a country's money.

Not bad. This mansion is naturally the head of the household department Shangshu Ge Shouli. Zhang Fan now wants to probe his tone. Let's see if he really wants to stand with him. Zhang Fan came to visit in person this time. It also shows the importance he attaches to this matter. Of course. This will definitely make Ge Shouli feel that Zhang Fan is asking for him now. Maybe he will put forward other conditions for Zhang Fan. But Zhang Fan was a little anxious at this time. I can't care about it so much. And. Most importantly. Zhang Fan knew that Ge Shouli was not just because he was honest. He is also definitely a fair person. He is also very serious about doing things.

But Zhang Fan didn't understand one thing. That is Ge Shouli, a Qing official from a wealthy family. Why do you want to help yourself yesterday? You must know that many ministers were surprised by Ge Shouli's behavior at that time. There is a big reason for this. Ge Shouli is a person who always acts according to the truth when he does things. Something like silver. Even if it was found out that it was one or two missing. Ge Shouli will definitely say it.

There is another thing that Zhang Fan can't figure out. Although Ge Shouli looks old and strong on the outside. But he is also fifty-nine years old this year. Next year will enter the year of the sixtieth year. It's all this age. I also want to find a force to join in. It's a bit confusing why.

Thinking about these things. Wait until you come back to your senses. Zhang Fan realized that he had been standing here for a while. Wang Meng on the side didn't disturb his thinking.

Motioned for Wang Meng to go and call the door. The gatekeeper informed Zhang Fan's identity. Not for a while. And the gates of Gefu were wide open. Ge Shouli also greeted him in person.

"Lord Zhang. The old man is about to go to your mansion to talk to the adults. Unexpectedly, Master Zhang came first. Come in. Ge Shouli said to Zhang Fan with a smile.

"Lord Ge is polite." Zhang Fan replied. followed Ge Shouli and walked in. In his heart, he had been pondering what Ge Shouli had just said. Since Ge Shouli wants to go to him. That means that Ge Shouli has also begun to think about this matter. He's not the only one who seems to be far-sighted.

"I don't know what kind of wind is blowing today. Let Mr. Zhang come to the old man's house. "Mingxia people serve tea. Ge Shouli talked to Zhang Fan amicably. There is no such serious appearance as he usually looks in the court.

"I just heard that Master Ge is going to the boy's mansion to talk. I don't know what Master Ge wants to talk to the kid. Zhang Fan didn't immediately answer Ge Shouli's words. Instead, he asked rhetorically.

"The old man doesn't have anything to do." Ge Shouli's face was the same as just now. Said. "I just want to talk to Master Zhang."

After Zhang Fan listened to his words. The smile on his face didn't change. But he didn't say anything. At this time. The people from Ge Mansion who came to deliver tea came. Wait until the next person retreats. Only then did Zhang Fan speak: "Master Ge." Zhang Fan won't go around in circles with you. And it doesn't matter if the adults come to me. I'll come to your lord's house to look for you. It's more than halfway through the application now. The two of us don't want to go to each other's houses to eat. ”

"Hmm. Mr. Zhang is right. Ge Shouli's expression became a little more serious. But still with a few smiles. "But now Lord Zhang has come to the old man's mansion first. Let's talk about it first. ”

Really. Zhang Fan's first move seized the opportunity for the other party. But now is not the time to go around the bush. Zhang Fan planned to say what he thought directly.

"Yesterday. At the time of the upward direction. Why did Lord Ge help me speak? Zhang Fan opened his mouth and asked directly. The silver that I Zhang Fan brought back. I know best. At that time, before the departure from Yangzhou. I ordered someone to take a second count. But it was less than 10,000 taels of silver. According to the style of Lord Ge in the past. I will never help anyone to lie. But yesterday. Master Ge helped me. I wonder why. ”

"Alas......" listened to Zhang Fan's words. Ge Shouli let out a long sigh. Speak. "Since Master Zhang is so outspoken. The old man had no choice but to tell the truth. The old man knew what Master Zhang was thinking. But I'm afraid things are not what Master Zhang thinks. ”

"Oh." Hear Ge Shouli's words. Zhang Fan was a little surprised in his heart. Hurriedly asked. "I don't know what Kazu-sama said is ......"

"It's not just Lord Zhang. I'm afraid that many people in the DPRK and China think so. Ge Shouli continued. You all think that the old man's behavior yesterday must be a gesture of favor to you. Thus wanting to be on your side. And then find ways to mention things like your official position.

"Not really. Mr. Zhang should know just by looking at the old man's age. The old man is nine out of fifty this year. One more year will be the year of the sixtieth year. Du Fu once said. Life is rare for seventy years. The old man is this age. Where will there still be that desire for power? ”

"This ......" Zhang Fan didn't know what to say. True. He understands what Ge Shouli said. I used to think so. But then again. "I don't know what Lord Ge is......"

"For what." Ge Shouli continued Zhang Fan's words. "It's not for the sake of being able to make the DPRK quiet."

Listened to Ge Shouli's words. Zhang Fan was silent.

Ge Shouli didn't wait for Zhang Fan to speak, and then said: "The old man is the township of Jiajing for seven years. Jinshi in the second year. In the course of several decades. Large and small official positions. The government offices in various places have also stayed in many places. I saw and heard a lot. These decades down. The old man has seen a lot of officials who are diligent in serving the people, for the court, and for the world. But the old man saw more. Fight with each other for power. The head was hit and the blood flowed. It even involves the common people. Although these people did not mean to involve the people. But this fight to the end. I can't take care of so much anymore. Fight back and forth. Someone is proud. Power in hand; And a little frustrated. Demotion and dismissal of officials is a trivial matter. It's even worse to make a house raider. What's more, even his life was lost.

"But in the end. Those are the only ones who get the benefits. And it won't last long. It won't be long before someone looks at these people upset. and wanted to fight him again. Take the rights for yourself. Then wait until the newcomer wins. After becoming an old man. A new person has appeared. In short, it's not over. And it goes on all year round. What can I do in this world? ”

Ge Shouli said here. The expression was still as usual. But there was also a hint of anger in his tone.

And hear this. Zhang Fan also understood why Ge Shouli would help him. Zhang Fan's heart also rose with admiration.