"Don't you know Wan Yiqi, this person, he doesn't matter how big or small the matter is, he will hail everything to Qin Xiang. Since there is no news leaking out of Qin Xiang's place, it means that this matter is over. Duan Qingliu said, smiled again, and then said: "This disgusting Qing and Guan Shan have taken two extreme paths, and Guan Shan is full of aristocratic atmosphere, but it's a pity that ......."

Jiang Qinzhou waved his hand and said: "Although that incident Guan Shan did was ridiculous, it was also excusable. He made the knife in the hands of Qin Xiang, he wanted to revive the prestige of the Zhou Palace, if I ...... at that time" Jiang Qinzhou didn't finish speaking, and left a few long sighs.

Duan Qingliu said lightly: "Now that people are dead, the past is gone." ”

"yes, it's a hundred. By the way, since Zhao Qingting has been defeated, Yunlou should also come back, right?" Jiang Qinzhou asked, Duan Qingliu laughed helplessly: "A few days ago, a letter came from Yunlou, she had already arrived at the Great Song Dynasty, but as soon as she heard that Zhao Qingting was dead, she turned back to Beimang. Yunlou is a daughter's body, a man's heart, can't keep it, let her go. ”

Jiang Qinzhou smiled dumbly and said: "Your heart is big, Feng Lan hasn't mentioned this nephew's daughter much in the past few days." I didn't tell her about Yunlou going out, she thought that this nephew's daughter was no longer close to her. ”

Duan Qingliu smiled: "Wait until I send her another letter, so that she can come back when she is free, don't let the family always worry about her." But having said that, Zhao Qingting's vertical and horizontal struggles have taken more than ten years of hard work to lay out the overall situation, and he has lost aggrieved and wronged. ”

Jiang Qinzhou said lightly: "Victory or defeat is a common thing in soldiers, maybe Zhao Qingting lacks a little luck." As long as he goes two hundred miles north, then my soldiers and horses will be able to join him......" Jiang Qinzhou paused, changed his words again, and said: "But in order to kill Zhao Qingting, the imperial court also suffered heavy losses, and the emptiness of the treasury alone can drag us down for eight or nine years." ”

Duan Qingliu said with a smile: "You and I don't need to worry about this, whoever pokes out the basket, then let whoever makes it up." Now I am concerned about who Zhao Qingting's army in the south followed the Beimang clan after Zhao Qingting's death. Could it be true that as Qin Xiang speculated, Zhao Qingting's newly acquired son-in-law is his successor?"

Jiang Qinzhou shook his head after hearing this: "Zhao Qingting is very strategic, but this horse master appeared very suddenly, even if he chooses him as his successor, in a short period of time, he will not hand over his men and horses to that horse master to manage." People's hearts are unpredictable, even if Zhao Qingting wants to stabilize people's hearts, he will choose a few old people to inherit his career, and then gradually give excessive power to that horse master. ”

Duan Qingliu nodded and said: "I think so, but Qin Xiang transferred that horse master to Lin'an this time, saying that it was to hold the handle of the Shuzhong Palace, but in my opinion, he just wanted to take it under his command." ”

Jiang Qinzhou said with a smile: "Because of this, we must not give up this horse master." I will think of transferring him to the Privy Council, even if it is not for anything else, for the sake of friendship with Zhao Qingting, it should be the same. ”

"I hope so. ”

......

......

Lin'an, Qinfu.

Qin Zhonghui was wearing thin clothes and slumped in the chair, and his action made him look a little older. It was very cold in the house, and even a tall and middle-aged man like Zhang Jun couldn't help but hold his arms and shiver constantly. And there was another person next to him, a middle-aged man with a yellow face and thin muscles, and the corners of his mouth drooped down. This middle-aged man, surnamed Wan, is named Yiqi.

Suddenly, Zhang Jun spoke: "I said Qin Xiang, it's too cold in your house." Why didn't he even make a fire, Qin Xiang really raised those subordinates for nothing. ”

Qin Zhonghui glanced up at him, and then he lowered his head again, closed his eyes and said: "It was the old man who didn't let them make a fire, and now the treasury is empty, and even the wood and charcoal in the palace have been reduced by half." We, as courtiers, can let the emperor be frozen alone. It's just a little cold, and the old man can stand it, but you can't stand it? If you go outside, how many people don't even have winter clothes. Besides, this is still Lin'an, not to mention how many people outside Lin'an are starving. I think it's time to pull out your official uniform and let you go to spend the winter with the people!"

Zhang Jun smiled when he heard this: "Qin Xiang, I'm mainly worried about your old body. Otherwise, I'll send you a few copper stoves from home. ”

Qin Zhonghui's body trembled, and he sneered and said, "I called you over today, mainly for the matter of the Huinan Embassy. The old man has already thought that if he wants to fill the deficit in the treasury, the only way to do it is to work with Nantong businessmen. But now there are two problems before us, one of which is that we have not had diplomacy with a foreign country in southern Xinjiang for many years. Today, natural and man-made disasters occur frequently, and the output of porcelain and silk has shrunk by more than half compared with last year. In general, it is the buyer and the goods. The old man asked the two of you, who of you would like to contact foreign countries in southern Xinjiang, and who would be willing to solve the problem of insufficient goods. ”

Zhang Jun frowned and said: "When Zhao Qingting's army was about to attack Lin'an that day, the civil and military forces of the Manchu Dynasty had become shrinking turtles, and no one dared to come forward to think of a solution. And Qin Xiang, you stood up in danger and were willing to be the first in the world. Alone, he retreated Zhao Qingting's army of 100,000. But it's good that Zhao Qingting is defeated, and the civil and military forces of the Manchu Dynasty not only don't thank you to Qin Xiang, but count the amount of money you spent on the treasury and levy an extra tax on Lin'an. This is really an ancient human heart!"

"Bang!"

Qin Zhonghui suddenly patted the armrest of the chair, and immediately, he stood up and shouted to Zhang Jun: "Don't talk to the old man, I don't have it, the old man will ask you, this is bad, are you willing to be it!"

Zhang Jun said with a bitter face: "Qin Xiang, I am naturally willing to do this, but I am afraid that it will ruin Qin Xiang's big business." ”

When Qin Zhonghui heard this, he slowly sat down again. He looked at Wan Yiqi and said, "Yiyi, why did you become dumb today?"

"Prime Minister Qin, it's not that the lower official doesn't want to speak, but the lower official's heart is really stuffy. This sullen breath is like a thousand boulders, and the subordinate officials are out of breath. ”

Qin Zhonghui frowned and said, "Tell me, who made you angry again?"

Wan Yiqi said lightly: "The prime minister doesn't know, the second master of the palace that week, Chai is tired of green, and today he smashed a wine jug on the dog's head in the restaurant, and the dog is still lying on the bed, unconscious. ”

"Oh, such a thing?"

Before Wan Yiqi could speak, Zhang Jun hurriedly said: "Brother Wan, you have some wicked people who sue first." It is true that Chai Er Ye injured Qi Wei first, but didn't Qi Wei later also use some tricks to strip Chai Er Ye naked and throw him outside Lin'an City? As for Qi Wei being unconscious, he is still unconscious on the ship, which is even more of a non-existent thing. ”

When Wan Yiqi saw that Zhang Jun sent his own stage, he was angry, and he shouted in a low voice: "Brother Zhang, what benefits did you receive from the second master of Chai to help him talk like this?"

Zhang Jun smiled and said: "I have a breeze on my sleeves, and no one's benefits will be confiscated, I just say a fair word." ”

"Enough!" Qin Zhonghui shouted loudly, interrupting the two who were still arguing. Seeing that the two of them were no longer speechless, Qin Zhonghui calmed down and said lightly: "Don't meddle in the affairs between juniors." The second master has lacked discipline since he was a child, and if he likes to provoke him, let him provoke him, and let the sons of your families avoid him when the time comes, why do you have to have a conflict. ”

Hearing this, the two said in unison: "Qin Xiang taught him a lesson. ”

Qin Zhonghui shook his head and said, "Please ask the king of Shuzhong to come to Lin'an immediately, how did you do it?"

Wan Yiqi said: "Prime Minister, the person who gave the order has been sent. Count the days, today is the time to reply, but the reply has not come for a long time, is there something wrong with Shuzhou. Or is that the master of the horse unwilling to come to Lin'an and kill the messenger?"

Qin Zhonghui said lightly: "The wind and snow have been in a hurry these days, and it is reasonable that there is a delay in replying to the letter. If that pony was a smart man, he should know how to do it. If he wasn't a smart man, it would be okay if he didn't come. ”

Zhang Jun smiled and said: "Qin Xiang is really kind-hearted, and after the chaotic ministers and thieves, he still has the intention of promoting." ”

"Bang! bang!"

Qin Zhonghui slapped again, but this time he didn't shoot the armrests of the seats, but the table. Three crisp sounds, lingering in the empty house for a long time, lingering. After Qin Zhonghui coughed a few times, he roared hoarsely: "The old man has long said that the king of Shuzhong is not a thief and a thief, he is a hero who pleases thieves! Whoever dares to say anything disrespectful to the king of Shuzhong again, then the old man will pick up someone's skin!"

"The lower official is guilty!"

Seeing this, Zhang Jun hurriedly knelt on the ground, his face was frightened, and he was too cowardly to say anything more. Wan Yiqi saw that Zhang Jun was deflated, and couldn't help but snicker secretly. After a while, he spoke: "Prime Minister Qin, trading with foreign countries in the Southern Regions is such an important matter, why don't you call Gongzi back to help?"

Qin Zhonghui waved his hand and said lightly: "Xi'er's experience is not enough, in this matter, he can't afford to provoke this big beam." The old man doesn't ask for the opinions of the two of you anymore, Yiyi, you are calm, and you are even more exquisite. After the completion of the embassy in the southern region, you will be responsible for communication with foreign countries in the southern region. ”

"The lower officer obeyed. ”

After hearing this, Qin Zhonghui looked at Zhang Jun who was kneeling on the ground and said: "Zhang Jun is responsible for the firing of porcelain and the preparation of silk. ”

"The subordinate officer receives the order!"

Qin Zhonghui closed his eyes, leaned back on the chair, and said weakly: "Tomorrow, the old man will go to meet the emperor with Jiang Shumi, so I won't keep you more." ”

"The lower official retired. Wan Yiqian was about to leave, but found that Zhang Jun was pulling his shirt. I saw Zhang Jun pointing to his leg and shaking his head again.

Wan Yiqi understood that Zhang Jun was frightened by Qin Zhonghui's legs. He sneered, then pulled Zhang Jun up and led him out of the room.

Outside the house, after the cold wind with snow silk, Zhang Jun came to his senses a little. He said to Wan Yiqi with palpitations: "Brother Wan, why do you say that Qin Xiang and his old man are so angry?"

Wan Yiqi shook his head and said: "Brother Zhang, on weekdays, you are also the number one person, how come at a critical time, you can't touch the pulse of Qin Xiang and his old man?"

Zhang Jun sighed, and hurriedly hugged his fists and said: "Brother Wan, you are a really smart person, please ask Brother Wan for guidance." ”

Wan Yiqi smiled and said: "Qin Xiang, his old man is worthy of being a giant of the country, a model for a hundred officials! Brother Zhang, have you ever thought about it, when Zhao Qingting's army was overwhelmed, why did Qin Xiang dare to bring someone to give him silver?"

Zhang Jun rolled his eyes and said: "I understand that those people in the rivers and lakes who went to assassinate Zhao Qingting were sent by the imperial court, but the reason why the imperial court used them was that they didn't want to associate the assassination of Zhao Qingting with the imperial court. Qin Xiang took the risk alone, presumably to dissociate himself from those assassins. ”

Wan Yiqi smiled and said: Isn't this right, Qin Xiang and his old man did everything possible to make this face work enough. You are in front of his old man Zhao Qingting is a rebel and thief, isn't that a slap in the face of his old man?"

Zhang Jun gasped and muttered: "I see. ”

Wan Yiqi continued: "Do you know why Prime Minister Qin tried every possible way to make up for the deficit in the treasury?"

Zhang Jun shook his head and said: "I don't understand this, Qin Xiang took the treasury silver and temporarily collected taxes, this is not for his old man himself! He has already protected the Great Song Dynasty's Jiangshan Sheji, so why bother to take that errand on himself?"

Wan Yiqi smiled and said: "This is related to what I just said, what Qin Xiang is going to do with the money, although the whole court knows it, but this matter cannot be put on the surface." Therefore, if this matter is not resolved, then in Mingli, it is Qin Xiang who embezzled the silver from the treasury without authorization. And if this matter is not resolved, then Qin Xiang will have a handle in the hands of others. Qin Xiang, his old man, can he not find a way to make up for this shortfall?"

Zhang Jun suddenly realized after hearing this, he hugged his fists and said: "Listening to your words is better than reading a book for ten years." Brother Wan, there are many offenses, I hope you will forgive me. ”

Wan Yiqi shook his head and said: "You and I both take Qin Xiangma as the leader, and you can't offend anything if you are offended." The immediate task is to properly handle the matter of trade with the Southern Regions with the concerted efforts of you and me. ”

Zhang Jun smiled: "This is how it should be." ”

"However, there is one thing, I still want to ask Brother Zhang for advice. ”

"Brother Wan, please speak. ”

Wan Yiqi smiled and said: "Didn't Brother Zhang regard that Zhou Wangfu as a thorn in his side before, why did Brother Zhang help Second Master Chai talk today?"

Zhang Jun smiled bitterly and said, "I'm ashamed, because I received the benefits of the second master of the firewood." ”

"Oh, this is a strange thing, Second Master Chai actually came to bribe Brother Zhang. ”

Zhang Jun said with a smile: "The reason why Chai Yanqing bribed me was because he wanted to enter the South Embassy. I'm still worried about this, and I don't know if I should let him in. ”

Hearing this, Wan Yiqi thought silently for a moment before speaking: "Come in, why don't you let him in." Didn't Brother Zhang want the Zhou Wangfu to be completely unable to turn over?" "Once the Zhou Wangfu is gone, Jiang Qinzhou and they will not be able to do well. ”

This time, Zhang Jun understood quickly, his eyes lit up, and he said: "Could it be that Brother Wan wants to follow Qin Xiang and concoct what he did back then?"

Wan Yiqi said in a low voice: "Brother Zhang, please come over with your ears." ”

I don't know what the two of them muttered, but when they left the Qin Mansion, they all smiled from ear to ear.

In the early morning, the snow finally stopped.

Jiang Qinzhou put on his official uniform and was walking in the palace when someone suddenly called him. Jiang Qinzhou turned around and saw that the person who stopped him was Qin Zhonghui. He hurriedly stopped, and when Qin Zhonghui came over, he smiled and said, "Qin Xiang got up early. ”

Qin Zhonghui smiled and said: "It's not as good as Jiang Shumi, the old man is in a hurry to catch up with Jiang Shumi's footsteps." ”

Jiang Qinzhou shook his head when he heard this: "Qin Xiang, you are old and strong, where is there anything to chase." I got up an hour earlier than before, and I was able to walk ahead of Qin Xiangshi. ”

Qin Zhonghui stretched out his hand and asked, "You and I will talk while walking." ”

Jiang Qinzhou did not shirk, and walked forward first. But his speed slowed down slightly, and he, the one who went first, fell behind Qin Zhonghui.

Qin Zhonghui smiled and said, "Jiang Shumi, what do you think of seeing the Holy Lord this time?"

Jiang Qinzhou said with a smile: "If it is Qin's decision to trade with foreign countries in the Southern Regions on that day, I will fully support it. ”

"Oh?" Qin Zhonghui said with a slight surprise: "But the old man has heard that many people in the court are saying that the old man is whimsical and dreaming of the Spring and Autumn Festival." ”

Jiang Qinzhou replied: "I can't agree with it, this is an extraordinary period, and all aspects need silver, although Qin Xiang's proposal is an extraordinary move, it is also a way to take the sword sideways." Now I am also in urgent need of silver to pay the soldiers at the border. Therefore, I begged Prime Minister Qin to meet the Holy Lord later, and you must have the Holy Lord approve this proposal. ”

Qin Zhonghui was silent for a moment when he heard this, and then said lightly: "I'll talk about it when I see the saint." ”

When the two of them came to the Xuande Palace, they saw the emperor Zhao Zhen, who loved to play with the palace maids, was fiddling with flowers and plants. But in this kind of weather, where can such flowers be in full bloom, and if you look closely, the flowers are actually carved with gemstones of various colors, and the carving is vivid.

"Long live my emperor, long live, long live!"

Qin Zhonghui and Jiang Qinzhou knelt for a long time, and only then did they hear Zhao Zhan say lightly: "Give a seat to the two Aiqing." ”

The eunuch moved the seat, Qin Zhonghui and Jiang Qinzhou knelt down, and Zhao Zhen smiled and said: "Looking at these gem flowers today, I understand a truth, only these lifeless things can live forever, and I am afraid that I can't live forever." ”

Hearing this, Qin Zhonghui and Jiang Qinzhou hurriedly got down from their chairs and knelt on the ground again.

Zhao Zhen smiled and said: "I gave the two Aiqing to sit, but the two Aiqing did not sit, this is disobeying the Holy Ming and should be executed." ”

Qin Zhonghui was already in tears at this time: "Your Majesty, the king wants his ministers to die, and the ministers have to die." But please retract what you just said, Your Majesty, you are the Son of Heaven, long live yourself!"

Jiang Qinzhou said in a deep voice: "Your Majesty, Weichen seconded the proposal!"

After Zhao Zhen glanced at the two of them playfully, he shook his head and laughed: "Two Aiqing, let's get even, I take back that sentence." ”