Ning Wang Zhao Dang took the recital and looked at it, and couldn't help but feel dizzy: Why is it Yang Zhi again?

It is no exaggeration to say that Zhao Dang may know the news after Yang Zhi left Beijing to take up his post earlier and in more detail than the emperor. The guy was tired of running around, preparing for the establishment of customs branches, and only recently stopped in Jinling.

The so-called laughter and enmity are often a disguise for temporary forbearance and compromise. From the day Yang Zhi was inadvertently involved in the Qin clan's fight against the robbery of gold, Zhao Dang hated Yang Zhi. Later, because he greatly underestimated Yang Zhi's ability, he became more and more jealous of him. It seems that Zhao Dang has invested a lot of capital in Yang Zhi, and Yang Zhi has not received any practical return except for making it clear that he has no intention of being an enemy with him.

There is no doubt that the emperor's direct inquiry is another new round of refinement. In the emperor's last study of the two princes, it was precisely because of Yang Zhi that Zhao Dang suffered a small setback. The first thought that flashed through Zhao Dang's mind was the strategy he had made when he had secretly discussed with his confidant Ding Shiquan. If you don't seize this opportunity to give Yang Zhi some eye medicine, when will you wait?

Pretending to look at the three chapters carefully, he said respectfully: "Father, the sons and daughters don't dare to deal with it in vain, but they are mixed with joys and sorrows." ”

The emperor asked indifferently, "Where is the joy?" Where does the worry come from? Let's be more careful. ”

Zhao Dang replied: "Erchen thinks that Yang Zhi is resolute and resolute, extremely capable, and indeed has great talents in the world. In just a few months, the framework of the Governor's Yamen of Customs was erected. By next year, the revenue from the tariffs will be able to fill the treasury considerably. can not shake the agricultural endowment of the country and enhance financial resources, so the sons are happy for their father and the emperor, and they are happy for the Great Xia. ”

Such a "hi". Everyone on earth knows that there is nothing new in it.

Zhao Dang saw that the emperor did not pick up. According to the prepared draft, he continued: "And there are three things that make Erchen quite worried: first. In order to raise funds for the construction of the government, Yang Zhi openly sold his official position and encouraged businessmen to donate. Although the intentions are good, they disregard the dignity of the imperial court, and the donors will definitely be treated differently in the future, which also buries the hidden danger of being unfair and difficult to convince the public. Erchen thought that in the long run, Yang Zhi could raise funds for the construction of the government by borrowing money with debts or levying tariffs in advance, and repay or offset them year by year from the revenue of tariffs in the future. It seems more appropriate. ”

Speaking from the heart, Zhao Dang's first point of view is also feasible, and it is better to govern the country in a dignified manner. Another capable official will be appointed as the Governor of Customs, and under the same conditions, he may do so. In fact, even the emperor had to admit in his heart that when it came to Wen Taowu's true talent, the second Zhao Dang was better than the boss Zhao Heng.

The emperor is bitter that he knows that his time may not be long, and he is unwilling to leave his infamy and burden to his descendants, and Yang Zhi is also a master who can rob openly and will never be soft. For both of them, time is precious. Borrowing on debt? Pre-imposed duties? In Yang Zhi's eyes, it was simply a joke. can save millions of taels of silver, even if it is a reputation for quick success. That's a good deal, too!

He nodded slowly and said encouragingly, "Go on." ”

The second worry of Erchen is Yang Zhi's equipment for customs officials. The sons dared to ask their fathers and emperors, and looked at Daxia. Which yamen has such a servant? Can such a servant still be called a servant? Strong horses, heavy crossbows, and artillery are all strategic military assets strictly controlled by Great Xia. Father, please forgive your son's false words. 1,000 customs officials against 5,000 or even tens of thousands of Great Xia powerhouses, the outcome is really unpredictable! ”

The Emperor smirked, "You can mention this verse. It's still hearty. It's not that I underestimate you, what you can think of, of course Yang Zhi can think of it. I allowed him to send troops nearby to help him when things happened. Yang Zhi sharpened his minions so sharply, firstly, it was very expensive, and secondly, it just showed that he was unwilling to use this privilege easily. Have you ever noticed? The total number of officials in the four branches has not exceeded 1,000, which is more than enough to deal with ordinary bandits, and it is like child's play to fight against the army. What's more, when Yang Zhi's term expires, I have already said that he will not be allowed to take anyone away. ”

The previous two points were all paving the way for the third point, and Zhao Dangyuan didn't plan to rely on these two points to score points.

"Erchen's third concern is that the strategic military resources strictly controlled by Great Xia, but Yang Zhi can easily equip nearly a thousand servants. If you are someone else, you dare not buy it if you have money, and you have nowhere to buy it if you have money, but where do many of Yang Zhi's equipment come from? ”

The emperor's face turned cold: "What do you want to say?" ”

Zhao Dang and Ding Shiquan decided after repeated deliberations that if it weren't for the fact that there was still great use value, no emperor would be able to tolerate a courtier like Yang Zhi. Just because you don't move him now doesn't mean you won't move him in the future. The reprimand on the surface is exchanged for the affirmation in the heart, why not? It's worth the bet!

"Father, Yang Zhineng is extraordinary, has contributed to the country, and everyone knows it. However, as far as his son knows, Yang Zhi took advantage of his father's lack of time to take care of other things, and privately occupied the islands off the coast of Shandong, built shore fortifications, and immigrated to fish and reclaim. It also cultivated a strong fleet worthy of a country's naval division, controlled the sea waterways, and made a lot of money. How is this different from the creation of another country? In the long run, how can you be born? The sons were so worried about this that they couldn't sleep at night! ”

The Emperor retorted coldly, "Do you think I'm old and dizzy? What you said, do you think I don't know? It has been nearly a hundred years since the fall of the previous dynasty, and the feudal towns have attacked each other, whether it is Great Xia, Northern Yan, Northern Han, Southern Tang, who has really controlled the islands off the coast of Shandong? Yang Zhi is a Great Xia courtier, and it is better to fall into his hands than in the hands of others! Before the national strength of Great Xia was weak, everything was empty talk! ”

"When, it's not that I underestimate you, if you have the ability to single-handedly occupy the island as the king like Yang Zhi, I can rest assured that I will be in you. If you don't have that ability, then honestly abide by your duty and do your own thing first. Everything needs to be done within one's means, and there are priorities. If you have a better way, what I just said will still count. ”

The emperor's tone was cold, and he directly took the throne to say things, Zhao Dang was so frightened that he knelt down and kowtowed: "Erchen is just a heart-to-heart speech, and there is nothing else." I beg my father to see and forgive my sins! ”

"I don't blame you, get up and speak!" The emperor saw that Zhao Dang's panic did not seem to be pretending, and his face suddenly turned a little pale: "As a monarch, you must focus on the overall situation." It is precisely because it is impossible for everything to go smoothly that it is necessary to have a mind that is beyond ordinary people. I've said it more than once. Yang Zhi seems to be perverse, but in fact he is extremely accurate. Very measured. Everything he has done so far has been done out of self-preservation. I dare to say. Yang Zhi has no intention of betraying Xia. and when he is put to good use, he is the weapon of the kingdom. This is also the bottom line of my dealings with that guy, as long as I don't cross the bottom line, all conditions can be negotiated! If you can't eat him, then it's best not to mess with him! What I want to remind you is that if you are content with your duty, you will be blessed. ”

The emperor's previous teachings were very real, but the last reminder made Zhao Dangyun and mountains foggy. Settle for your duty and be blessed? The meaning of duty and good fortune is too rich. For the king and the minister, there is a world of difference. What does this mean? I didn't have time to think about it in a hurry, but I knew that the emperor had no malicious intentions.

Just as his heart was in turmoil, the emperor waved his hand lightly and said, "I'm tired, you can retire!" ”

Zhao Dang walked out of the imperial study, and Wu Zi was a little confused: I don't seem to be here for Yang Zhi, right? That's for my dad, what the hell am I doing today?

Unsettled, he returned to the palace, immediately summoned Ding Shiquan, and carefully explained the experience of meeting the emperor. Ding Shiquan pondered for a moment. asked: "The prince said, can the emperor be harsh?" ”

“…… Not really. ”

"Dare to ask the prince, after the king retires, can the rest of the important ministers be present in the imperial study?"

"It's just my father and son. Ma Cheng, the waiter, withdrew after being ordered to serve tea and give a seat. Wait outside the door. ”

Ding Shiquan asked rhetorically: "The emperor mentions his face and teaches him privately, what else is the prince dissatisfied with?" ”

Zhao Dang heard this. I couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.

I thought I would be reprimanded, but it didn't. Rather, it is a vague encouragement. There is only one throne, but there is more than one contender. To be exact. The third brother Kang Wang Zhao dared not to speak, including the fifth brother Yue Wang Zhao Qi, there were three people in total. Zhao Dare is evenly matched with him, and Zhao Qi has little strength at all, but he is also qualified to succeed to the throne in legal theory. Hearing Ding Shiquan say this, it seems that he is still in a leading position in the emperor's mind.

Zhao Dang frowned and asked, "What did Mr. arrange earlier......?" ”

Ding Shiquan does have the style of a fairy wind and bones, and An Ran twisted his beard and smiled: "There is no turning back arrow to start work, how can there be any reason not to do it?" It has already been analyzed clearly, and there are still four or five layers in the middle. If it happens, the prince will reap the benefits. If the matter fails, the prince has nothing to do with it. ”

Since Yang Zhi left Beijing to take up his post, he really didn't pay much attention to what Chang'an was doing.

The Yamen of the Governor of Customs was in the preparatory stage, and the sale of official titles or the agitation of donations did not infringe on the vital interests of all forces for the time being. Zhao Dang's method of admonishing the emperor, Yang Zhi didn't think about it, but he was very unwilling, so he didn't do it. Borrowing money or imposing tariffs in advance must be repaid. Not only is it troublesome, but it is also time-consuming. In the end, the Yamen, the governor of customs, is still from his old Zhao family, but the delay of one or two years is the golden time for Lao Tzu to make money, why? What's more, it's like opening a new store, and the eight characters will first owe a lot of debts before they can skim it, and Yang Zhi will never do such a stupid thing.

As a result, Yang Zhi's family letter is really just a family letter. Is the old man in good health? How are the two ladies Yu'er and Yan'er doing? How do the two boys Meng'er and Xiao'er look? …… Later, I simply omitted the first few greetings, and only asked the two sons.

On the evening of the second day of November, Yang Zhi specially set up a banquet for Qin Kongyun, Gao Kejing, Cao Yuncheng and others who went to Yuhang the next day.

Because he couldn't go in person, Yang Zhi not only solemnly asked Qin Kongyun, but also repeatedly told Gao Kejing and Cao Yuncheng. It was not until the first hour of the hour that the crowd withdrew and dispersed.

Yang Zhi drank tea to eliminate food, and after washing, it was almost time. was about to go to bed and rest, when he suddenly heard a report from the doorman: "Master Hou, the eldest prince of Qin has come to ask for a meeting." ”

It was getting late, and if there was nothing important, Qin Kongyun would never go and return. Yang Zhi immediately ordered: "Didn't he just leave?" Hurry up and invite him in! ”

Qin Kongyun hurried to Yang Zhi's bedroom, and didn't say much when they met, so he directly handed him a secret letter two fingers wide, and said concisely: "I just returned to the news that I received by the semicolon, something happened to the Jinan Branch!" ”

Yang Zhi frowned and took a look, the content of the secret letter can be described as simple and clear: assassination. Unsuccessful. Unharmed. There is no live mouth. I have not made any announcements yet, so please advise me. Su characters. (To be continued......)