Shaofu was in charge of the emperor's private wealth, and since the beginning of autumn, it has been like a great enemy: foreign merchants gathered more and more, although there were very few people who really dared to come to the door to ask for debts, but they also refused to leave, and all kinds of rumors came and went, after the early winter, did not decrease, but increased. Pen × fun × Pavilion www. ｂｉｑｕｇｅ。 ｉｎｆｏ

Shaofu maintained a cold and arrogant posture, without saying a word, as if he disdained to speak out for this little money, but in fact, his heart was very empty, all the IOUs of the displaced people from all over the country were gathered here, and the officials in the palace carefully calculated several times, and came to the same conclusion: Shaofu could not afford to pay it back, even if the household department took out the income of the imperial court, it would take five or six years without eating or drinking to pay it off.

Merchants who lend debts to the homeless, especially those Luoyang merchants, are extremely treacherous, after clever cover-up, one or two cents of profit on the surface, calculated as high as five or even ten, their original intention is to make the homeless people unable to pay back, so as to occupy people, land, and houses, after being intercepted by the emperor, they only want money.

Qiao Wanfu entered the Shaofu from the small Ao Cang Ling, and held only a deputy position, but he was an official appointed by the emperor himself, and he had the most direct responsibility for repaying the debt.

He was also weak-hearted, and he had not thought about tea and dinner for several days, and as soon as the janitor entered the lobby, he was frightened, thinking that the merchant who was asking for debts had arrived.

On this day, he was summoned by the emperor, arrived at the Tihou Mansion early, waited for a whole day, and was only allowed to face the saint in the evening.

Han Ruzi had been busy for a day, and he didn't know that Qiao Wanfu had been waiting for a day, and after meeting, he said, "How long has Master Qiao arrived?" ”

"Soon, just a moment." Qiao Wanfu didn't even eat lunch, first, because he didn't have his food, and second, he really didn't have an appetite.

"How's the situation in Shaofu?" Han Ruzi was no longer polite and went straight to the point.

Qiao Wanfu saluted, "Weichen got the news, three days later, probably the day the Queen Mother's family arrived in Beijing, the merchants would gather in Shaofu to collect debts." ”

"Well, what is Shaofu's response?"

"Weichen thinks that he needs to kill chickens and monkeys, and he also needs to strike first, he should arrest a few people before the debt collector comes to the door, and ask a crime of forcible robbery, there are many loopholes in those IOUs, and there are other evidence in His Majesty's hands, which is enough. Weichen has a list here, exactly five people, they are the leaders of Luoyang merchants, jumping up and down, causing trouble, counting them the most, buying IOUs and setting the day when the Queen Mother welcomes her family to collect debts, it is their idea. ”

The evidence in the emperor's hands is all from the ugly king, hidden in the Tired Marquis's mansion, and has been kept for use as a "killer weapon".

If it had been a few days earlier, Han Ruzi would have probably suggested with Qiao Wanfu, this was originally his idea, but under the influence of Zhao Ruosu, he changed his mind.

After all, the bad terms in those IOUs are quite hidden, and most of the displaced people are illiterate, and they don't know that this is equivalent to a deed of sale, so they don't have much hatred for the merchants who lent them money, and some people are very grateful.

Han Ruzi explained to Qiao Wanfu: "This is my mistake, I should have explained the sinister aspects of these IOUs to the displaced people early in the morning, so that the people of the world can see the treachery of the merchants in Luoyang, and it is logical to arrest people again." The trouble now is that if these five people are put in prison, the people of the world will not think that they are guilty, but will only think that I am playing a rogue trick. ”

Qiao Wanfu didn't think about it so much, "But...... Shaofu really can't afford to pay off these debts, and most of the debts should not be repaid, or only the principal should be repaid, so that the debt can be reduced by at least 30%, or even 50%, and Shaofu still can't afford to pay it, but the pressure will be much less. ”

Han Ruzi thought for a while, leaned over and asked, "Have you investigated, why are these businessmen so bold?" ”

Qiao Wanfu bowed and said, "I have inquired, and it is all the five merchant leaders who instigated the evil. ”

"Then why are these five so bold?"

Qiao Wanfu was stunned for a moment, "Because...... Because there is a backer behind it? ”

Han Ruzi nodded, picked up a stack of papers on the table and shook it, "I have detailed information about these five people, what a coincidence, among the evidence of bribing Luoyang officials, there is also the most content about these five people. ”

Qiao Wanfu suddenly felt a lot clearer, "That's right, these five people have spent a lot of money and bought almost all the officials in Luoyang, even in the capital, as far as Weichen knows, there are also many people who have received their gifts." He shook his head, "Is there a minister behind these merchants?" ”

Although there is no clear supporter in the various information, Han Ruzi will definitely have it, and the actions of those businessmen are too consistent, and it is by no means something that can be negotiated by a few people.

Qiao Wanfu stepped forward and asked, "Does Your Majesty want to arrest a few ministers first?" ”

Han Ruzi shook his head with a smile, "The time has not yet come, arresting people now, it still can't get rid of the suspicion of defaulting on the debt, and it will also make the DPRK and China frightened, and the gains outweigh the losses." ”

"Your Majesty means ......" Chowanfu was confused again.

"Can the exiles borrow money, can the emperor borrow money?"

Qiao Wanfu didn't understand the meaning of this sentence, "Well, as far as Wei Chen knows, Emperor Wu once collected heavy taxes from merchants everywhere due to insufficient military spending, but that was not a loan, and it was canceled after a few years." However, Weichen dared to say that heavy taxes should not be taken lightly, and at that time they may be able to increase their income, but they will be greatly reduced later, for no other reason, heavy taxes destroy businessmen, some businessmen are hateful, but without these people, the world will stop, there will be fewer exchanges between the east and west of Great Chu, north and south, and more troubles for the Qi country. ”

The more self-sufficient the place, the easier it is to give birth to rebellion, Qiao Wanfu felt deeply about this when he was an official in Aocang, and he once told the emperor about it, and now he reminds him again.

Levying heavy taxes is a last resort, of course Han Ruzi will not use it casually, and said with a smile: "You misunderstood, I mean simply borrowing money, for example, I will borrow ten taels of silver from you now." ”

Qiao Wanfu looked dazed, and the emperor really stretched out his hand behind the table, "Does Lord Qiao have ten taels of silver on him?" ”

"Ten taels...... Yes. Qiao Wanfu fumbled for a while, took out a few pieces of broken silver, and blushed, "Your Majesty forgives the sin, Weichen went out in a hurry, and only brought these six or seven taels." ”

"It's enough, please ask Master Qiao to borrow six or seven taels of silver."

There were no outsiders in the study, so Qiao Wanfu had to step forward by himself, put the silver on the table with both hands, and then pushed it to the opposite side, still feeling that the silver was too little, and his face was even redder.

Han Ruzi reached out and hugged the silver, glanced at it, put them on a piece of paper, and pushed back a piece of paper, "The silver will be returned to you, this is considered that I have borrowed money, right?" ”

Qiao Wanfu was completely confused, carefully took back the silver, and at the emperor's signal, he also took the piece of paper in his hand, took a few steps back, and hesitated: "Forget it." ”

"Master Qiao is embarrassed, I can only borrow these taels, but someone has a lot of money, so I should be able to borrow more."

Qiao Wanfu looked at the emperor and realized.

Han Ruzi was inspired by Chao Whale, corrupt officials are greedy for merchants' money, why not let them pay off the emperor's debts? "I said that I wanted to kill chickens and monkeys, but I was mistaken, the leader of the merchant is not a businessman, but a corrupt official, and it is more effective to fight corrupt officials than to crack down on businessmen."

Qiao Wanfu looked down at the paper in his hand, there were more than a dozen names neatly written on it, all of them were officials from Luoyang and the capital, and Zong Zhengqing and Han Chou were ranked first.

"I can't spare my hands to clean up the corrupt officials right now, but it's always okay to borrow some money from the corrupt officials, right?"

Qiao Wanfu exclaimed: "But these people will not admit that they are corrupt officials, Your Majesty borrowed money, they will definitely give it, but they will not take out too much." ”

"The evidence of the businessman's bribery is also the evidence of the official's bribery, and Master Qiao will take a few copies later, which is enough for them to admit that they are corrupt officials."

Qiao Wanfu suddenly came to his senses, "Your Majesty is asking Weichen to borrow money?" ”

Han Ruzi said with a smile: "I will leave a truth if I borrow money in person, so if I want to fake others, Lord Qiao is willing to do it for me." ”

"Of course." Borrowing money for the emperor has no merit or fault, Qiao Wanfu has no reason to refuse, he is still worried about the numbers, "Although these people are corrupt officials, they can't afford to pay off all their debts even if they are bankrupt." ”

Han Ruzi put away his smile, "Lord Qiao doesn't need to take the money directly, just divide the IOUs of the Shaofu, the businessmen take it by force, and most of the money flows into the hands of corrupt officials, and the corrupt officials will provide protection for the forcible robbery, in the final analysis, these debts are between businessmen and corrupt officials, let them settle the accounts themselves." If anyone is unwilling, Shaofu will come forward, and there are still people who are unwilling, and I will come forward. ”

Qiao Wanfu held the list, thought carefully for a while, and knelt down on his knees, "Your Majesty, rest assured, this matter can be done." ”

When Qiao Wanfu left, the two eunuchs carried a box and sent it out of the house, and Qiao Wanfu's entourage took it and felt that it was really heavy.

After arriving home, Qiao Wanfu immediately opened the box and inspected it, although they were all copies, but the transcription was very clear, almost the same as the original.

Qiao Wanfu watched it for a whole night, and his confidence doubled, and after dawn, his stomach was rumbling with hunger, and he drank three bowls of porridge in a row to feel satisfied.

There was not much time, Qiao Wanfu went to Shaofu first, dealt with some affairs, and sent his servants to send a greeting to the two adults, one made an appointment to meet at noon, and the other made an appointment to meet in the evening, and warned the servants that they must get an agreement, which is really not possible, and it can be hinted that the things to be discussed are very important.

The first person Qiao Wanfu saw was Han Chou.

Ao Cang belongs to Henan County, Qiao Wanfu used to be just a petty official under Han Chou, and he rarely even had the opportunity to meet, but now he is still a petty official in front of Zong Zhengqing, but his status is different, everyone knows that he is appreciated by the emperor, and he has a bright future in the future, the servant does not need any hints, Han Chou immediately agreed to meet at noon, and the location was in Zongzheng Mansion.

Qiao Wanfu didn't bring anything, and left his entourage in Shaofu, going to the meeting alone, and his heart was relaxed.

Han Chou hadn't guessed Qiao Wanfu's intention yet, so he greeted him warmly, and he was very polite as a guest of honor.

Qiao Wanfu was also very polite, reminiscing about the past in Luoyang with Han Chou, lamenting the ups and downs of life, and praising the emperor's kindness...... Half an hour later, Qiao Wanfu explained his intentions.

"Han Zongzheng is in danger at the moment, can he save himself?"

Han Chou was stunned for a moment, and then his face sank, "Why did Lord Qiao say this?" ”

"A businessman is about to write a book, accusing Han Zong of being corrupt and bribing countless times when he was in Luoyang."

Han Chou was stunned again, and then laughed, it is difficult to say anything else, he is not afraid of the merchant's accusations at all, the emperor wants to use this trick to scare him, but he is blind.

Jovanv smiled, as if he had just made a small joke.

If he couldn't even do this well, Qiao Wanfu would be ashamed of the emperor's reuse. (To be continued.) )