Jiang Wenbin came out of the sedan chair with a frown. He carried an important note in his arms, which was the fastest solution he could come up with in desperation. It's just that if this recital is really played publicly...... Jiang Wenbin was not sure if he could bear the consequences on his own.

Therefore, Jiang Wenbin wanted to discuss with someone, he needed support, but he was not sure who could support him unconditionally.

After thinking about it, Jiang Wenbin still decided not to alarm his friend Xie Changjing first, he planned to chat with the gentlemen of the Anguo Mansion first, and test the attitude of the Anguo Mansion towards his performance.

Jiang Wenbin quickly approached the side door of the Anguo Mansion, and before he could speak, the steward of the Anguo Mansion had already greeted him, and it seemed that he had been waiting at the gatehouse for a long time.

"Lord Shangshu, you're here." The steward directly led Jiang Wenbin inward: "Gentlemen have been waiting for you for a long time, and the old lady, the ladies and the eldest lady also want to see you." ”

Jiang Wenbin's footsteps paused slightly, and then nodded towards the porter: "That's just right." Xia Guan also wanted to say goodbye to the old lady. Shuozhou was besieged, General Shuobei and the little grandfather were deeply trapped, and the old lady must have been anxious. ”

"Then why don't you go to the old lady's yard first? And ......" The steward turned his head and glanced at Jiang Wenbin, a little hesitant.

Jiang Wenbin immediately stopped and asked cautiously, "What?" What's going on? ”

"What can happen at home?" The steward of the Mu family was already very familiar with Jiang Wenbin, so he sighed without seeing it: "No matter how big it is, can it be bigger than Shuozhou being besieged?" When the news came back today, the house was immediately in chaos, and the old lady almost didn't come up in one breath. Master Jiang, can you help persuade the eldest lady? Our eldest lady wants to go to the north. ”

"How can this be?" Jiang Wenbin's brows immediately twisted into a pimple: "What is she going to do?" Could it be to join the army? How can a girl's family go to war, isn't this adding to the chaos! The old lady wouldn't watch her mess around. ”

The steward of the Anguo Mansion sighed again and did not answer. Jiang Wenbin turned his head to look at the steward's face carefully, and couldn't help but ask, "...... you Could it be ...... Could it be that the old lady responded?! ”

"Alas! Of course, the old lady will not camp big. The steward bent over Jiang Wenbin and made a gesture to guide the way: "But the eldest lady's temperament ...... Never mind...... Your Excellency, you'll find out when you go. ”

Jiang Wenbin immediately turned his head and walked towards Old Madam Mu's courtyard. This Anguo Mansion, Jiang Wen often comes, he is familiar with the way, he actually doesn't need anyone to guide the way, his steps are hurried, and he runs faster than the steward of the Mu family.

When he arrived at the gate of Mrs. Mu's courtyard, he happened to see Cuiliu and Cuiyun, directing a few little maids to carry the box, Cuiliu was probably crying, and her eyes were swollen like peaches. As soon as you see Jiang Wenbin coming? Immediately run to the hospital to report.

Jiang Wenbin has already seen Cuiyun and they are directing people to carry boxes? But as soon as he entered Mrs. Mu's courtyard, he was still taken aback. The yard is full of cages? Like moving? I don't know what I'm going to do.

Mrs. Mu got the news and specially greeted her from the house? She stood at the door and didn't say much to Jiang Wenbin? The first sentence went straight to the point: "Lord Jiang? These cages are all rewards from the emperor over the years, most of them are pearls, jade, gold and silver, and some porcelain playthings? I've ordered someone to sort it out today? Let my daughter-in-law record the list herself, and after you check it in person, you can bring it back to the household department. ”

"Old lady, ......" Jiang Wenbin was dumbfounded: "What are you doing?!" ”

"These things are all appreciated by the emperor to the Mu family," Old Madam Mu replied calmly: "Originally, they all came from the treasury, and now they are handed back to you?" It can also be regarded as the return of things to their original owners. Rong Di is coming, and the ten northern states are in a bitter war? How much does it cost to fight, and others don't know? How could I, the general's wife, who was half-cut into the ground, not know? I don't know when the war will end, and my sons and grandchildren are in the north? What can't I do for the kids? Can you only donate some gold and silver items? I had to change some military uniforms and rice food, so that my children could fight the enemy without worries. ”

Jiang Wenbin was stunned for a moment, and then suddenly knelt down.

"Never, old lady." Jiang Wenbin looked ashamed: "It was a dereliction of duty and a failure to do a good job in this family, so when An Guogong and Mu Jingluo were resisting the enemy, they still needed to worry about military supplies and food." Old lady, it's all the fault of the lowly position. General Mu was born and died on the front line, and even if he was incompetent, he could not ask the general's wife to donate money and food to fight the enemy. Old lady, don't worry, ladies, there will always be a way, the humble job has already come up with a solution, you ......"

"Master Jiang." Old Madam Mu personally took two steps forward and helped Jiang Wenbin, who was kneeling on the ground: "Don't worry, listen to me." ”

"You don't have to refuse. Old Madam Mu stretched out her hand and pointed to the cage on the ground: "First, my children and grandchildren are all on the battlefield, and as a mother and grandmother, I can do only this for them, and you should fulfill my motherly heart." Second, Master Jiang, it is difficult for a good woman to cook without rice, even if you have the heart, you can't be empty-handed. You must understand that the female dependents of my Anguo Mansion took the lead in donating money and food, and others were embarrassed not to donate. This is also my selfishness as a general's mother, I want my children and grandchildren to get the best protection on the battlefield. ”

Jiang Wenbin was stunned for a moment, and then smiled bitterly: "Old lady, I understand what you mean. You must also know that in the current situation, no amount of gold and silver is enough. Relying on the donations of the nobles in Beijing, they will not be able to survive this war, and they are willing to donate once, but they may not be willing to donate a second time. It's not a long-term solution. ”

"I can't care about that." Old Madam Mu replied, "One step at a time. I donated these royal gifts this time, and next time I can donate my dowry, my daughters-in-law's dowry, and it doesn't matter if we donate our Anguo Mansion empty. ”

"Old lady, I said I have a way!" Jiang Wenbin didn't care about it, he took out an envelope directly from his arms and stuffed it directly into Mrs. Mu's hand: "You can't survive by donating, but you can rely on taxes." ”

"Taxing?" Duchess An Guo frowned: "My lord, but you want to start a military levy?" But ......"

"It's not." Jiang Wenbin shook his head: "As a temporary tax, the military levy is levied once in a while, and the people may be able to afford it, but it is by no means a long-term solution. I don't know when the war will end, so we can't just increase the military every few days, right? In the long run, the people will be overwhelmed, and it will inevitably provoke popular revolt. ”

"What do you mean...... "Duchess An Guo looked even more confused.

"Levy taxes, but not from the people." Jiang Wenbin replied: "It is levied from the hands of the noble father-in-law." ”