Xu Liang returned to the Dongjiang Courtyard, entered the courtyard gate, and saw a person greet him. Take a closer look, but it is the Houjin man who surrendered to Xu Liang, Duolong.

Duolong was originally helping out in Yan Qi's carriage and horse shop. Xu Liang entered Beijing for many days, and gradually forgot about him. Unexpectedly, Doron actually found it.

"Doron has seen adults." Doron arched.

Xu Liang glanced at him suspiciously, and asked, "Duolong, how are you doing recently when you are working under Shopkeeper Yan?" ”

Duo Long hesitated for a moment, and said to Xu Liang: "That...... My lord, Doron still wants to do things by your side. ”

Xu Liang smiled and said, "What's the matter, it's not going well with the shopkeeper Yan?" Or did the shopkeeper Yan deliberately embarrass you? ”

Duolong hurriedly waved his hand and said, "Shopkeeper Yan is very good to Duolong. Just ......"

"Just what?"

Duo Long struggled his expression, stomped his feet, and said to Xu Liang again as if determined: "My lord, Duo Long won't hide it from you. Duolong is under the hands of the Yan shopkeeper, and the Yan shopkeeper has nothing to say to Duolong. It's just that the rest of the people in the carriage and horse shop are very hostile to Doron. They ostracized Dolon at every turn. ”

As he spoke, Doron looked indignant.

"Crowding you out?" Xu Liang's face sank when he heard this, and he asked, "Who is so bold!" You're the one I sent! ”

Doron whispered: "They bullied Dolon is the ...... of the Houjin"

Saying this, Xu Liang was immediately speechless. The war in November of the second year of Chongzhen had just passed, and for the people around Jingshi, the most hated thing must be the Tartars. And Dolon's identity ...... Xu Liang realized that it was indeed inappropriate to put Duolong in the carriage and horse shop again. After thinking about it, he said to Duolong: "It was the official's negligence before. That's it. If you stay in another courtyard, the official will arrange for you to have another errand. ”

Hearing this, Doron said gratefully, "Thank you, sir." ”

Duolong lived in the Dongjiang Courtyard, and Feng Suqin and Lou Xian'er soon found out. At the dinner table, Feng Suqin asked about Duolong.

Xu Liang told him about Duolong's exclusion in the carriage and horse shop.

Feng Suqin said: "Duolong is a surrendered Houjin general, and it is really inconvenient to put him and other Ming people together to do things. Messire. I think the best way to get the most out of Dolon is to send him back to Liaodong. ”

"Sister, what are you kidding? Let Duolong go back to Liaodong, isn't that a tiger returning to the mountain? Lou Xian'er on the side originally didn't care about Duolong's whereabouts. just heard Feng Suqin's suggestion to put Duolong back in Liaodong, so he interjected in surprise.

Feng Suqin shook her head and said, "No." I remember that Xianggong once said that in the eyes of the Tartars, Duolong was already a mutiny. Even if you let him go back. The leaders of Houjin will never believe him again. ”

Xu Liang nodded slowly. Said: "Suqin's idea is very good. Just let him go back to Liaodong for what? ”

Feng Suqin bit her lip and thought about it for a while, then smiled at Xu Liangjiao and said, "Xianggong, since you have become the Guanglu Siqing, I am afraid that you will not be able to return to Shaanxi for a year and a half." Most of our Liang Kee's business is concentrated in the northwest, and now it is time to develop outward. A few days ago, I was considering transferring some funds to start a business in Beijing. Today's incident reminds me that I think Kanwai is also a very potential market that should not be ignored. ”

Xu Liang suddenly had a feeling of brightness. stroked his palms and smiled: "Su Qin is worthy of being the proprietress of Liang Ji." Business acumen is just not ordinary. Hearing you say that, I also agree to send Doron to the gates. Ginseng outside the gates. Herbs, deer antler velvet, and fur are all very popular items in our Ming Dynasty. ”

Feng Suqin was eager to try and said, "Then it's decided." ”

In the words of a few words, Doron's whereabouts had already been decided. After two days, Feng Suqin transferred all the manpower funds, and then formally interviewed Duolong, I don't know what benefits Duolong promised, when Xu Liang said goodbye to Duolong, Duolong was impatient.

On the day when the court approved the plan to sacrifice the Taimiao, Li Tengfang, the secretary of the Ministry of Rites, specially called Xu Liang and Fu Yu, the secretary of the Taichang Temple, to the yamen of the Ministry of Rites, and said to the two temple secretaries with an apologetic face: "Lord Xu, Lord Fu, Your Majesty basically agrees with the plan submitted by the two of you, but this budget is the cost, but it is not according to the amount mentioned by the two adults. Ahem, for this plan, several adults in the cabinet were about to quarrel, and later, under the old man's courtesy, Cao Ge Lao and Wen Ge Lao reluctantly agreed to reduce the budget by half. ”

Fu Yu had an expression of no surprise on his face, obviously he had expected this situation. Xu Liang also secretly breathed a sigh of relief, and the budget cost was reported higher, and Xu Liang expected that the court would do this. Looking up and seeing Li Tengfang, the secretary of the Ministry of Rites, staring straight at him, Xu Liang was shocked, and hurriedly put on a surprised and abnormal expression, and glared: "Lord Shangshu, this, how can this be done!" With such a drastic cut, so many things can't be done! ”

Li Shangshu looked ashamed, and Wen Yan comforted Xu Liang and said: "Lord Xu, the old man also knows that the court has cut so much, and the work of Guanglu Temple is very difficult to do. It's just that now the treasury is empty, and the court's spending has been reduced again and again. We must also be considerate of the difficulties of the court. As he spoke, Li Shangshu changed his words, and Zhengse instructed: "However, although the cost has been reduced, the two adults still have to do their best to make this sacrifice a success." ”

Xu Liang and Fu Yu arched their hands and said, "I respectfully follow the instructions of Lord Shangshu." ”

When the meaning of the court's budget reduction was conveyed to Shen Congliang, the Shaoqing of Guanglu Temple, Ma Xiangyang, and Ji Zhong, the ambassador of the silver treasury, Shen Congliang was better, and after being frightened by Xu Liang that day, Shen Congliang was a lot more respectful in front of Xu Liang. And the Nama Temple Cheng was stunned for a while when he heard this, and then said in a strange manner: "I'll just say, Lord Xu, Lord Shen, in previous years, the cost was about 50,000 taels of silver, if it was reported according to the 46,000 taels prepared by the lower officials, it would be exactly what the court wanted." ”

Xu Liang glanced at him and said, "The cost approved by the court this time is exactly 50,000 taels. ”

Ma Sicheng muttered, looked at Xu Liang, smiled without smiling, and said: "My lord, Xia Guan remembers that the plan submitted by Guanglu Temple was made according to the standard of 90,000 taels, and now the cost has been cut in half at once, how to buy and prepare in the future, Xia Guan has no clue." It's up to you to make up your mind. ”

Xu Liang frowned, his face sank, and asked, "What does Ma Sicheng mean by this?" ”

Shen Congliang and Ji Zhong saw that Xu Liang's tone was wrong. He kept glancing at Ma Cheng Temple and asked him to say a few words.

Unexpectedly, Ma Chengsi turned a deaf ear, and still said with a smile: "What does it mean to be a lower official?" Our Guanglu Temple has been a clear water yamen for many years, and it is born with that hard life, so I don't want to take on the job with plenty of oil and water!"

Shen Congliang saw that Xu Liang's face was getting darker and darker, so he shouted at Ma Sicheng and said, "Master Ma, don't say it. ”

Ma Sicheng snorted softly.

Xu Liang took a deep breath. He turned to Ji Zhong, the ambassador of the silver treasury, and said, "Lord Ji, you go to the household department and bring back the 50,000 taels of silver." How to prepare in the future. Let's do the accounting again. ”

Ambassador Ji nodded, got up and saluted Xu Liang, and then retreated, before leaving. He took a deep look at Ma Sicheng.

Xu Liang said to Shen Congliang: "Come." Two adults, let's discuss again how to use these 50,000 taels of silver to prepare for the sacrifice. ”

Unexpectedly, Ma Sicheng snorted softly again, and said in a strange manner: "Lord Xu, Lord Shen, let's not be busy discussing." I don't know if Lord Ji can bring the silver back from the household department, what is the use of the three of us sitting here and talking. ”

Xu Liang endured his anger for a long time, and finally couldn't suppress it a little. stared at Ma Sicheng fiercely. He nodded slowly, "It's okay." Then wait for Lord Ji to come back. As he spoke, Xu Liang looked at Ma Sicheng expressionlessly. said: "Master Ma, you should be busy with your affairs first, this official and Shen Shaoqing still have some things to explain." ”

Ma Sicheng arched his hand and strode out.

Xu Liang pointed to the back of Ma Sicheng and asked Shen Congliang: "What's going on with this Ma Xiangyang?" ”

Shen Congliang shook his head and smiled bitterly, and explained to Xu Liang: "My lord's anger. Ma Sicheng's family is not good, and with his performance today, it is estimated that he has suffered from the old father-in-law. However, Ma Sicheng is not the kind of person who doesn't know how to measure, and after a day or two, Ma Sicheng will admit his mistake in front of adults. ”

Xu Liang frowned and said: "Whoever doesn't have anything bad about it, Master Ma brings his emotions to the yamen, it's very important." ”

"Yes, yes. The lower officials will persuade him to correct it. Shen Congliang said.

The Tobe Yamen is also very close to Guanglu Temple. Xu Liang waited in Guanglu Temple for almost two hours, and Ji Zhongcai, who went out to get the silver, ran back with an angry face, ran into Xu Liang's office, blushed, and said angrily: "Lord Xu! The official of the household department deceived people too much, and the subordinate took the adult's hand to get the silver, but the lord of the household department Lang Zhongzhou did not allocate it! ”

When Ji Zhong entered the temple, Shen Congliang and Ma Sicheng paid attention to the movement, and when they saw Ji Zhong go straight into Xu Liang's office, the two followed in.

Hearing this, Ma Sicheng sneered, leaned against the window and said: "Bi Ziyan, the head of the household department, is known as Bi Tieji, and he doesn't even give the face of the cabinet minister. The officials under him are not given in vain. If you want to receive the silver from the household, without Bi Shangshu's hand approval, you don't want to get the silver at all. ”

Xu Liang was furious, stared at Ma Sicheng, and said in a deep voice: "So, Master Ma knew that this would be the result from the beginning?" ”

Ma Sicheng said: "The self-strict style of the head of the household department is known to everyone in the whole Beijing City. Xia Guan thought that Lord Siqing should also know. ”

Xu Liang stared at Ma Sicheng for a long time, then suddenly grinned, waved his hand, and sent the official Ji out. He greeted Ma Sicheng with a kind face, and said: "This official is in charge of Guanglu Temple at the beginning, and he is not clear about the affairs of the yamen and the affairs of the capital. In the future, Xu will rely on the two adults to solve problems for me. Two adults, please accept a certain bow. ”

Ma Sicheng looked calm, and he was struck by Xu Liang. Shen Congliang was like a monk who was at a loss, and hurriedly stepped aside.

Xu Liang looked at Ma Sicheng with a smile and said, "I just appreciated Master Ma's ability to do things, and the lower officials were very shocked. I remember that after Chengzu moved the capital to Beijing, many sacrificial classics were left in Guanglu Temple in Nanjing. Ma Sicheng, this official has given you a glorious and urgent task, and you immediately set off for Nanjing, and move all those classics to Beijing. ”

Ma Sicheng was stunned when he heard this, pointed to himself, and asked in surprise: "Lord Xu, do you want to go to Nanjing?" ”

Xu Liang nodded with a smile and said, "Exactly." ”

Ma Sicheng said: "But the preparations for the ceremony of sacrificing the Taimiao are imminent, how can the lower officials leave?" ”

Xu Liang shook his head and said: "The matter of suing the Taimiao Temple, it will be done with Shen Shaoqing to help the official." Master Ma, you have brought back those precious classics, and it is a great achievement. This official recommended you to the court to serve as another young secretary of Guanglu Temple in this temple! ”

"But......" Ma Sicheng was shocked.

Xu Liang stepped forward and nudged Ma Sicheng to walk outside the office, and said as he walked: "Master Ma, the matter is urgent, don't delay, let's leave quickly, this official and Lord Shen are waiting for your good news in the capital." ”

Pushing Ma Sicheng, who was still waiting to speak, out of the door, Xu Liang turned around and returned to the office room, and said to Shen Congliang, who was already stupid: "Ma Xiangyang's son is not enough. Lord Shen, there are only two of us in this room at the moment, and we will take a closer look at the preparations for the preparations. ”

Shen Congliang felt frightened in his heart, and hurriedly arched his hand: "Yes, my lord, please say, the lower officials, the lower officials will listen to you." ”

Xu Liang looked at Shen Congliang with satisfaction, and secretly said that this person could still be cultivated, so he pulled Shen Congliang to sit at the desk, and the two discussed it carefully like this.

The next morning, Xu Liang yawned, moved his numb feet, and greeted the adults who passed by him with a smile on his face. ”

Bi Ziyan, as his name suggests, rarely smiles, when Xu Liang sees him, he always pays others five hundred taels of silver to him and does not return it.

"It turned out to be Lord Xu, is there something wrong with Lord Xu?" Bi Shangshu stood in front of Xu Liang with his hands behind his back and asked in a deep voice.

Xu Liang smiled and said: "Your Majesty's day of sacrificing to the Taimiao is imminent, and the cabinet has approved 50,000 taels of silver to be handed over to Guanglu Temple to prepare for the sacrifice. ”

Bi Shangshu frowned slightly, and said indifferently: "This official has heard about it." ”

Xu Liang secretly scolded the old fox. What do you mean you've heard?! Xu Liang arched his hand again and said in surprise: "It's good that Master Bi knows." It's just that yesterday, Lord Ji, the ambassador of the silver treasury of the official yamen, went to the household department to receive the silver taels, but was stopped by Zhou Langzhong of your ministry, I don't know why? ”

Bi Shangshu suddenly sighed, and explained as if "There are such things?" When the official goes back to verify, he will pay the silver taels to Lord Xu in a few days. ”

Xu Liang asked: "Dare to ask Master Bi, how many days did you say, how many days?" ”

Bi Shangshu was stunned when he heard this, glared at Xu Liang, and said unhappily: "What do you mean, Lord Xu?" The official has been in charge of the household department for many years, and although the treasury is difficult, what the official has promised will naturally be fulfilled. You can wait with peace of mind. ”

Xu Liang didn't seem to see Bi Shangshu's unhappy expression, he still maintained a smiling look, and said: "The lower official is stupid, and the subordinate can't understand the promise that is too profound." Please also ask Master Bi to tell the official the exact time, so that the official can feel at ease. ”

Bi Shangshu was suffocated again, brushed his sleeves and shouted: "Tomorrow!" ”

Xu Liang bowed, "Thank you, sir!" As he spoke, he took out a piece of paper from his bosom on which he had written, squatted on the ground, filled in tomorrow's date with a homemade pencil, turned to get up, presented it to Bi Shangshu, and said: "The official has a bad memory, and I am afraid that I will forget such an important matter, so I will write it down on this paper, Lord Bi, please take a look, if there is no problem, please sign it?" ”

Bi Shangshu saw the handwriting on the paper clearly, and saw that in addition to the date that Xu Liang had just filled in, the others had already been written: "Bi Ziyan, the head of the household department, personally promised to allocate the 50,000 taels of silver needed to pay the sacrifice to the Taimiao Temple on the ninth day of the fourth month......

Bi Ziyan suddenly felt that the blood in his brain was surging, and he was almost so angry that he turned his back on it, pointed at Xu Liang angrily, and scolded angrily: "How can this be reasonable!" "Scold, throw up your sleeves and leave! (To be continued......)