The Great Song Dynasty was wealthy.

But its affluence was mainly concentrated in the scholar class and the Jiangmen class.

Should the people be poor or destitute?

The scholars were not only officials, but also merchants, and while taking money from the imperial court, they also expanded their own business territory.

For example, Lu Yijian, Song Shou, Xia Zhu, Chen Zhizhong, which one is not a child of a family, and their ancestors are all high-ranking families?

These people have accumulated family business for generations, and they dare not say that they are full of gold and jade, and they are rich enough to rival the country, but they still have thousands of family wealth.

But compared to the goal, it's a lot worse.

Because the Great Song Dynasty gave Jiangmen an extremely generous treatment, after the release of military power with a glass of wine, in addition to the nominal high-ranking officials, there were also a lot of rewards.

For example, Shi Shouxin's family, "History of the Song Dynasty" records, "accumulate a lot of wealth, and the family has a lot of wealth", and usury, all walks of life are involved.

There is also the Wang Xianqi family, known as the "Nine Courtyard Wang Family", which has nine wealthy mansions in Bianliang City, where every inch of land is valuable.

The Gao Huaide family has countless properties and ground shops in Bianliang, and seven of the five generations have been crowned kings.

The rest of Cao Bin, Li Chongju, Guo Shouwen, Zhang Lingduo and dozens of other founding generals of the Zhao Kuangyin and Zhao Guangyi eras also had a lot of money.

Their annual rewards are countless, not to mention that they rely on the power in their hands to do business in Bianliang, like many famous restaurants, tea houses, gambling houses, and brothels in Bianliang.

Therefore, the high-ranking officials and senior generals in Bianliang are really rich.

June 30.

As night fell, a young woman sat peacefully in the Kunning Hall and waited.

She just put on a light makeup, her face was not beautiful, and she even revealed a cold color, like an iceberg.

Not long ago, Wang Shouzhong, the head of the eunuchs of the Inner Servant Province, came to report to Empress Cao, saying that the official family was going to stay in Kunning Palace today, and asked the queen to be ready to greet him.

Queen Cao was quite surprised, although it has been two years since she married the official family, but the two did not have much affection, the number of times the official family came in the past two years can be described as only a handful, how can you have time to come to Kunning Hall today?

It's just an accident, Queen Cao still bathed and changed clothes according to the process, put on a little light makeup, and waited quietly in the palace.

By the beginning of the year, the sedan chair of the official family had already arrived outside the Kunning Palace.

Zhao Zhen got off the sedan chair, and the palace maids and eunuchs outside the palace saluted one after another, and after entering the palace, he saw Queen Cao sitting on a chair, his steps were slightly sluggish, and his expression was quite complicated.

Empress Cao stood up and bowed to Zhao Zhen: "The concubine has seen Your Majesty, Your Majesty is blessed." ”

"Let's be flat."

Zhao Zhen said lightly.

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Empress Cao's tone was also very flat, and she was not very happy because of Zhao Zhen's arrival.

There are dozens of beauties in the harem, but this favor is Zhang Meiren, it is Miao Yu's, and she doesn't seem to have anything to do with Queen Cao.

For the two of them, the conversation and daily life of the two people do not look like a couple at all, but more like strangers who have never met a few times.

When Zhao Zhen saw Empress Cao's appearance, he felt a burst of disgust in his heart for no reason, he really hated Empress Cao's attitude towards him.

But thinking that he still had to ask for Jiangmen, and thinking that Zhao Jun commented that Empress Cao was a generation of virtuous queens, he finally went up, hesitated slightly, took Empress Cao's hand and said: "Recently, the state affairs have been busy, but the queen has been neglected. ”

Empress Cao bowed again and said: "Your Majesty has every opportunity, and it is the right thing to work for the state, and the concubines should do their duty and share their worries for Your Majesty, and there are no complaints." ”

Zhao Zhen said: "It's late at night, the queen and I go to bed." ”

"Yes."

Empress Cao followed Zhao Zhen to the apse dormitory.

The maid in the dormitory helped them take off their coats, then blew out the candles, and the two of them lay down on the same bed as usual.

No one moved.

Zhao Zhen barely hugged Queen Cao, feeling the calm breathing around him, he didn't have much thought, just said: "The imperial doctor said that my body is not very good, let me be a young Dunlun, I live in a wooden house in the back garden these days, but I rarely come to the harem." ”

"Your Majesty should put your body first."

"These days, people are not allowed to step into the back garden, and the queen won't be unhappy."

"The concubines have never liked to move around, but it doesn't matter, but Zhang Meiren and Yu Yu's servants were blocked from going to the back garden, and they also cried with the concubines."

"Uh..... Don't mention them, is there anything uncomfortable about the queen living in this palace? ”

"The concubine thinks it's okay."

"Oh, some people say that the materials used in the palace are not very good, and they will make people sick easily."

"Does Your Majesty want to renovate the palace?"

"There is no money in the treasury and in the treasury, where is the money to repair. The border is unstable, and it also needs to be aided by armaments. ”

"Oh."

The two of them talked about each other, like two neighbors who didn't know each other well in the hallway.

After a long while, Zhao Zhen changed the topic and said: "Does the queen know that Bianliang has now opened the Jiaozi business, and after depositing the money, there will be Jiaozi tickets, and you can withdraw money from all over the Great Song Dynasty in the future?" ”

"I heard from the eunuch who went out to buy."

Empress Cao responded.

Zhao Zhen saw that she was not very open-minded, so he said tentatively: "I remember that the Cao family has a lot of business, and it would be much more convenient if the money was stored in the Jiaozi shop." ”

“......”

Empress Cao fell silent.

The house became quiet.

Time passed minute by minute, Zhao Zhen didn't speak, his brows were furrowed, and he was slightly dissatisfied.

Isn't that clear enough?

But after a while, Zhao Zhen suddenly felt a little panicked on his face.

Because he suddenly remembered something.

Two years ago, the Cao family sent their daughter to the palace, and the family made a huge dowry.

This dowry was worth millions of yuan, which almost hollowed out the Cao family, and Empress Cao's uncle Cao Cong was forced to borrow money to survive.

Up to now, there is still a balance of more than one million guan left in the internal treasury, all of which are supported by the Cao family.

And Zhao Zhen did not reward the Cao family with a dime, resulting in the Cao family's family business being extremely embarrassed now, and there is no money left.

At this juncture, Zhao Zhen also asked the Cao family to save money in the Jiaozi shop?

Do you want the Cao family to sell the mansion?

Thinking of this, Zhao Zhen was even more embarrassed, and hurriedly said: "I mean that if the Cao family contacts the rest of the Jiangmen family, it will also be beneficial to deposit the money in Jiaozipu. ”

"I see."

"I remembered that I was so happy when I married the queen, but I forgot to reward the Cao family according to the custom, and tomorrow I will take 200,000 yuan from the treasury and send someone to Cao's mansion."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Empress Cao answered.

Zhao Zhen sighed in his heart and said, "It's late at night, the queen sleeps." ”

"Yes."

Empress Cao replied softly.

Both of them had their own thoughts, and they did not say anything all night, and they both fell into a deep sleep.

It's just that Zhao Zhen was still able to gently hug Queen Cao at first, but when he got to the back, he slowly let go of his hand.

For a scumbag, if he doesn't like it, he still loves younger and more beautiful women.

In the early morning of the next day, Zhao Zhen left Kunning Palace, went to the Vertical Arch Hall to go to the early dynasty, and announced in the early dynasty that the Cao family was loyal and rewarded 200,000 yuan from the inside.

There was no reaction from the court, this is a family matter of the official family, and it is also a transfer of money from the internal treasury, so it is none of their business.

At the same time, Empress Cao summoned Cao Cong, the envoy of the East Cabinet and the Weizhou regiment, to enter the palace at noon.

Compared with the early Song Dynasty, the power of the Cao family is much less powerful than before.

Cao Cong, as the head of the Cao family, is actually just Cao Bin's youngest son, and he is only in his forties.

Zhao Zhen's attitude towards Empress Cao can be seen.

At this moment, Cao Cong cautiously entered the palace, and after saluting the queen in Kunning Palace, he asked the queen why he was summoned to the palace.

Empress Cao sat on the chair and said to him: "I heard that the official family rewarded the Cao family with 200,000 yuan? ”

Cao Cong suddenly became energetic and said: "Yes, it was sent outside the mansion at the hour, and now the mansion is full of lights, so it's not lively." ”

"All of them will be sent to Jiaozipu to be stored."

Empress Cao said.

"Jiaozi shop?"

Cao Cong wondered: "I also know this thing, but at present, only Bianliang and Chengdu have opened it, and our family has no family business in Chengdu." ”

Empress Cao shook her head and said, "Uncle just do it, and Jiaozi can also be used in Bianliang in the future." ”

"Yes."

Cao Cong gave up.

Empress Cao said again: "Uncle can go to the banquet for the rest of the generals and invite them to deposit the rest of their family wealth in Jiaozipu, which is only good for them, not harmful." ”

Cao Cong was not stupid, and immediately understood why the Cao family was inexplicably rewarded today, and was surprised for a while: "Could it be that this matter is ......."

"Don't ask more about this matter, the official family said that he just deposited the money in it, not to ask for your money, you can withdraw it at any time if you want to in the future, is it useless what the official family said?"

Empress Cao said in a deep voice.

"Yes."

Cao Cong responded.

Then Empress Cao left Cao Cong to dine in the palace, and Cao Cong went back with a mission in the afternoon.

At the same time, after the officials dispersed in the evening, Lu Yijian's sedan chair also slowly left the palace hall and headed in the direction of Mahang Street.

Although Lu Yijian and the other three phases and three ginseng, plus Yan Shu and Fan Zhongyan, were the insiders, Zhao Zhen did not restrict their activities.

After all, confinement of the six prime ministers and two ministers in the back garden, the noise is too big, and it is impossible.

Yan Shu had already booked a table in the East Building, and when he went in, he saw that Yan Shu and Song Shou were already inside.

Seeing Lu Yijian come in, the two got up and said, "Lu Xiang." ”

"Sit down."

Lu Yijian answered, walked over and sat down, "What's the matter?" ”

Song Shou looked at Yan Shu.

Today's game was arranged by Yan Shu, and he said that they should disperse and then go to the East Building, but he didn't know what it was.

Yan Shu didn't ink, and said directly: "Fan Xiwen asked the officials to dismiss the two, and the reason he gave was that most of the court officials are now in the shadow of the door, and Lu Xiang and Song Xiang in the court are the pillars of the officials in the door, and with you here, the new policy cannot be implemented, so it must be recalled." ”

"How do you know that?"

Song Shou was surprised.

Yan Shu made an excuse and said: "When I went to report Zhao Jun's situation to the official family, I saw Fan Xiwen coming out of the study, so I gave the prince fifty guan, he told me." ”

It is not a matter of a day or two for officials to ask eunuchs to buy news, but it is normal.

Lu Yijian's face suddenly became serious, he had actually guessed that Fan Zhongyan would do this. Because Fan Zhongyan is a bull temper and quite stubborn, even if Zhao Jun is there and there is reconciliation of the official family, it is impossible to give up.

There is no grudge between the two sides, it is a battle of positions.

It is precisely because it is a battle of positions that it is a life-and-death battle.

But he didn't expect Fan Zhongyan to be so impatient, and less than two months later, he began to take eye medicine in front of the official family.

I'm going to catch them all.

Remembering that last time Fan Zhongyan deliberately asked Zhao Jun who was opposing the Qingli New Deal, Lu Yijian was very angry, and said in a deep voice: "Fan Xiwen, this husband, really ignores the overall situation, why do you insist on stopping the door?" This is to go against the officials of the world, Gong Chui, what I told you last time, you let Ziqiao and them do it. ”

Yan Shu was surprised: "What's the matter?" ”

Song Shou said: "Let people spread rumors in the market that there are high-ranking people pointing officials behind their backs, saying that Zhao Yuanhao is about to rebel and establish a country." ”

"What does this have to do with Fan Xiwen?"

Yan Shu was puzzled.

During this time, he stayed in the palace every day, and even when he went home, he had to take care of his sick wife, and he almost didn't know the news from the outside world.

Song Shou said: "Fan Xiwen often invites Ouyang Xiu, Yin Zhu, Yu Jing and others at home, and after I wait for the daily dispersal, I don't see outsiders, only at home, the official family will not know, if Bianliang has such a rumor, how will the official family treat Fan Zhongyan?" ”

Yan Shu's eyes widened when he heard his words, and then he scolded: "Duke Tanfu, Duke Gong, are you crazy? You know how much the official family attaches importance to Zhao Jun, if it spreads, the official family will be furious! ”

Lu Yijian's face sank like water, and he said lightly: "What can I do?" Fan Zhongyan is pressing step by step, he is the future reform minister in Zhao Jun's mouth, I am just a conservative interest group that values power, and they play each other's favors? In the hearts of the officials, is it important for me to still have Fan Zhongyan? ”

"This move is too dangerous, it can't be like this!"

Yan Shu shook his head repeatedly.

Zhao Zhen now regards Zhao Jun as more important than life, and expects him to help him solve his troubles, if the matter spreads, His Majesty the Emperor will definitely be furious, and he will definitely let the Imperial City Division investigate thoroughly.

Once the matter is made big and Lu Yijian is involved, I am afraid it will be very dangerous, and many people will be implicated at that time.

Lu Yijian didn't know, and sighed: "What can I do then?" Fan Xiwen has already ridden on our heads, if we don't fight back, he really said that the official family has moved, and we ......"

Yan Shu's eyes rolled twice, and he touched the goat's whiskers on his chin.

When Song Shou saw him like this, he hurriedly asked, "Uncle Tong, you have always been quick-witted, do you have any good ideas?" ”

Yan Shu laughed wistfully and said: "This matter is Yi'er, what the official family needs is not a direct minister like Fan Xiwen and them, but a capable minister who can solve the problem. When I went to report to the official family before, I heard that the official family seemed to have encountered a little problem. ”

"What's the problem?"

Lu Yijian asked.

"The tea merchants in Bianliang and the tea merchants in Chengdu plan to take out the money in Jiaozi's shop, and whoever can solve this problem is the capable minister in the eyes of the official family."

After Yan Shu finished speaking, he glanced at the two of them meaningfully, and said in a low voice: "The official family..... It is inseparable from such a capable minister. ”

The two of them suddenly thought for a moment.