Chapter 56 (Reasonable)

The 30th day of the twelfth lunar month in the fourth year of Yongsheng.

The front gate of the Nanjiang County government office was closed, but guests kept coming and going in the back courtyard.

Since the prefect resides here, the magistrates from the surrounding counties will surely come to pay their respects with their families.

Even the prefect of the neighboring Shanyang Prefecture sent people over to cultivate a good relationship with Su Qing.

Of course, there's also the reason why Eunuch Liang lives here.

What the relationship between Eunuch Liang and the Emperor was like in private is another matter.

But in the eyes of outsiders, Eunuch Liang, Palace Attendant Qi, and others were still the emperor's confidants.

Moreover, with the war over, they should be able to return to the capital soon.

Wouldn't it be wonderful to say a few kind words to the Emperor then?

With this in mind, even more officials came to Nanjiang County to curry favor with them.

Su Qing started entertaining guests in the morning and didn't see them off until after midnight.

Despite the freezing weather outside, it couldn't dampen the enthusiasm of the crowd.

It wasn't until after the fifth day of the Lunar New Year that the village chiefs of several villages, especially the village chief of Yaogu Village, came to pay their respects.

Now, Yaogu Village specializes in growing precious medicinal herbs, generating substantial profits every year.

If it weren't for the war, all the roads that needed repairing would have been completed.

They said they would continue repairs after the New Year, and it should be ready for use by the middle of the year.

Su Qing was naturally very happy, knowing that their village had saved enough money, which put her at ease.

When it comes to money, Su Qing naturally looked towards Shanyang Prefecture.

General Yan has been gone for almost ten days.

I don't know what the situation is.

Eunuch Liang asked further, but upon learning that the General had gone to the front lines to inspect the camps, he stopped asking.

However, in private, Eunuch Liang's expression was extremely unpleasant.

He also sent a congratulatory letter to the emperor, and I heard that he was singled out, but was not allowed to rewrite it.

This attitude is neither here nor there, and it's frustrating.

When Eunuch Liang came to see Su Qing, he finally found an opportunity to complain after the guest left: "There's no definite news from the capital. Even if you want to flatter someone, you can't find a way."

The only solution is to throw money at it?

But their lives aren't easy either.

When the guests returned, Eunuch Su Qingliang smiled again and pretended nothing had happened.

Another group of distinguished guests departed, and Eunuch Liang continued, "I heard that Prefect Su's second congratulatory letter passed the test. What did it say?"

how?

Are they here to copy homework?

Su Qing didn't hide anything and roughly told him the contents of the congratulatory letter.

It was nothing more than praising the emperor for being intelligent and extraordinary from a young age.

They also said that last year's victory was all because of the Emperor.

Eunuch Liang was shocked.

How could you say something like that?

Is that correct?

Who wrote it for you?

For those officials, the congratulatory letters were all written by their subordinates.

So it's not surprising to ask who wrote it.

"Could it be your fiancé?" Eunuch Liang asked. "I heard that your fiancé keeps his distance from the Imperial Academy, but the Emperor seems to value him."

Su Qing didn't elaborate on their relationship, only explaining for him: "He's focused on preparing for the provincial exam this year, and the metropolitan exam next year."

At this point, Su Qing added, "When Father-in-law returns to the capital, please take good care of him. Regardless of whether we are married or not, his family and my family were on good terms in the past, and he has helped me a lot."

What kind of shrewd person was Eunuch Liang?

With just a few words, it was clear that there was likely a problem with their marriage.

However, the failure of the marriage did not affect his official connections.

Gu Congsi was quite learned, so Eunuch Liang naturally didn't mind having another option.

He just smiled wryly and said, "Who knows when I'll be able to return to the capital?"

Su Qing smiled and said, "Eunuch Liang is a lucky man, and Heaven will always help him."

That evening, Su Qing was in her study when she saw someone coming in through the door.

The man was tall, so Su Qing immediately opened the door.

Sure enough, it was General Yan who returned.

He was not wearing armor, but his black clothes were clean and tidy, with only his hair slightly disheveled, indicating that he had just returned from a hundred-mile march.

Yan Zhengzhou nodded slightly: "I brought it back."

His tone was casual, as if he had just bought something and brought it back casually.

But both of them understood that what he brought was not so simple.

Under the cover of night, Su Qing went to a warehouse at the dock. Yan Zhengzhou helped her carry a torch as they entered the unremarkable warehouse.

Most of the warehouses in Nanjiang County were newly built by the government offices, and they were all about the same size.

There's nothing special about this place; it's just that a while ago, Su Qing asked Magistrate Zhu to vacate it, saying she wanted to put some things there.

The warehouse was empty just a few days ago.

Thirty-six large boxes are now neatly arranged.

Su Qing casually opened one of them and saw neatly arranged gold and silver jewelry of various colors.

Strings of pearls, agates, and jade, as well as exquisitely crafted artifacts.

Even with only the light of a single lamp, the jewels shone brilliantly.

General Yan's men, including Ma Hao, deftly opened the other boxes: "Sir, please take a look."

Gold bars, jewelry, and even calligraphy and paintings.

These are all family heirlooms of nobles in the capital.

After the rebels entered the city, they fell into their hands.

Now it's in Su Qing's hands again.

Su Qing said, "This is just one of the twelve groups of bandits."

They weren't even the three biggest leaders.

Yan Zhengzhou didn't look at these things much, but simply said, "It should be able to resolve the foreign debts of Guangyue Prefecture."

Definitely.

But I'm afraid it wouldn't be appropriate to just give the items away as gifts.

Moreover, it's difficult to explain where such a large sum of money came from.

However, Yan Zhengzhou did not consider these things to be problems, as Su Qing had her own solutions.

Soon, the magistrate of Fei County and the assistant magistrate of Fei County arrived.

The two of them began to take stock of the gold and silver jewelry, while Su Qing asked about what had happened.

Yan Zhengzhou put it simply.

It's simply a matter of finding traces of Wang's rebel army, capturing a few of them alive while they're enjoying themselves, and then having them taken to the mountain stronghold.

In less than a day, all of the hundreds of rebels were beheaded.

Then I brought the things back.

Okay, okay.

That's too simplistic.

It's as if she can do it all.

Seeing her disbelief, Yan Zhengzhou smiled and asked, "How many boxes are you planning to give to Eunuch Liang?"

Su Qing made a three-pointer.

Everyone assumed she was going to give thirty.

To everyone's surprise, she replied, "Three boxes."

That should be enough for Eunuch Liang and Palace Attendant Qi to return to the capital.

ah?

What about the remaining thirty-three boxes?

Su Qingyou said quietly, "Pay back the money, and support the army."

The army in Yisong County and Gaoqing Prefecture now numbers 120,000.

Everyday life, from eating and drinking to relieving oneself, clothing, shelter, and transportation, costs money.

Even the debts she had to repay were owed by the military.

Ma Hao and the others scratched their heads.

In that case, the gold and silver jewelry in front of us won't last long either.

Yan Zhengzhou also sighed: "Investigate the whereabouts of the other rebels as well."

Before he returns to the capital, try to seize as much property as possible.

While everyone was taking stock of the valuables, Su Qing asked Yan Zhengzhou to take a look.

Pick out all those with royal symbols and those with particularly eye-catching shapes.

These items were too conspicuous, so they were packed up and given to Eunuch Liang to take back to Beijing.

She tried to sell the other items.

After registering all the items, Su Qing took the three large boxes of items to Liang Gonggong's residence.

Su Qing arrived uninvited and kept a very low profile.

However, because of her face, she was carefully ushered inside.

Eunuch Liang also rushed over in a panic, wondering what urgent matter had occurred.

I didn't see anything; the three boxes of stuff were just sitting there.

Dismissing those around her, Su Qing opened the box directly: "Father-in-law, do you think these things are enough to take back to the capital?"

Eunuch Liang, being well-informed, picked up one of the Buddha statues and said, "This is a special Buddha statue from the palace, and it even has the master's mark on it."

"This, this was a gift from the late emperor to His Majesty."

"And this, the treasured possession of Lord Liu's family."

Is it enough to get back to Beijing?!

That's definitely enough!

There's only one question: "Where did this thing come from?"

Su Qing said directly, "When General Yan was inspecting the camp, he arrested a group of rebels."

Su Qing added, "The rebel leader's surname is Wang, and he has already been beheaded."

king?

Eunuch Liang's eyes lit up.

These are not goods confiscated during a patrol.

They were clearly the bandits from Shanyang Prefecture!

Is this what General has been doing all this time?

Why use a sledgehammer to crack a nut?

With the General in charge, capture is sure to be a piece of cake!

Eunuch Liang was overjoyed, and Su Qing handed him two more receipts.

The first sheet contains a list of items for three boxes.

What's the other one?

Eunuch Liang glanced at it; were these the receipts for the fourth and fifth boxes?

The objects on these items have neither obvious markings nor royal seals.

Yes, it was for him?

Su Qing simply said, "General, you still need to rest and recuperate, and you also need to wipe out the remaining rebels."

"Please put in a good word for me when Eunuch Liang returns to the capital."

When I mentioned asking Eunuch Liang for help with Gu Congsi last time, it was just a casual remark.

Now, after inviting Eunuch Liang back to the capital, we will delay Yan Zhengzhou's return and exchange these two boxes of valuables for his money.

Of course, Eunuch Liang would agree.

Everyone knows that once the general returns to the capital, his military power will inevitably fall into other hands.

At that time, we will be at the mercy of others.

It's only natural to delay returning to Beijing.

For the sake of these things, he had to agree.

I can both return to Beijing and collect two boxes of belongings.

Why not?

In this world, having money in your hands is what really matters.

Naturally, Eunuch Liang wouldn't ask about the whereabouts of the other items.

There were over thirty boxes of goods, so why are only five boxes here?

He's not a talkative person.

I just didn't think Su Qing was such a greedy person before.

The accounts under her control were crystal clear.

Su Qing seemed to understand the other party's thoughts and said directly with a smile, "Guang Lefu is a large and wealthy family with a lot of debts."

Eunuch Liang thought of the debts owed by the Ye and Hua families, as well as the food and drink for the 160,000 soldiers.

Looking at it this way...

Those things, it seems, are nothing now.

The imperial court did not allocate funds for the military.

It was indeed difficult.

After writing the document to send back to the capital, Eunuch Liang even showed it to Su Qing.

The inscription stated that the General had recently inspected the camp, captured a group of rebels, and confiscated three boxes of valuables.

This list is here, and I entrust it to Prefect Su and Eunuch Liang, who will then pass it on to His Majesty. Please review it.

Wait for Eunuch Liang to sign and send it out.

I'm just waiting to return to Beijing.

This made him breathe a sigh of relief.

I can finally go back!

Being away from the capital for too long means being too far from power.

He used to be the emperor's confidant, but now, due to the machinations of villains, he is becoming increasingly distant from His Majesty.

When he gets back, he will definitely take back everything that is rightfully his.

Of course, he will also remember the great favor that Prefect Su did for him.

Working with smart people makes things simple.

He also needs manpower in the local area.

As for General Yan, Eunuch Liang could only sigh.

Sooner or later, I will return to the capital.

Hopefully, the emperor will be less suspicious by then.

Having worked together for so many years, he would also put in a good word for them.

Even if he was sent here specifically to monitor General Yan.

However, after several comparisons, people's hearts inevitably tend to lean towards one another.

He worked with General Yan and Prefect Su.

At least I don't have to worry about them stabbing me in the back.

After the document was sent out, two other boxes of items were also brought over.

Eunuch Liang laughed so hard that his eyes and teeth disappeared.

But a portion was also used to bribe others, and the matter was kept completely under wraps.

Qi, the eunuch, also benefited. Although he did not know the reason, he vaguely knew that it was related to Lord Su.

After leaving Eunuch Liang's place, Su Qing immediately sent a letter to Ye Shanming.

The letter didn't explicitly state this, but simply invited him to come to Nanjiang County to discuss business.

Jiangnan is some distance from Guangyuefu.

Sending the goods there to exchange for money is the perfect solution.

If I remember correctly, one of the rebel groups fled to the coastal area, and even if they were caught, the blame could be placed on those people.

She, Yan Zhengzhou, and even Ye Shanming will not be in danger.

General Yan had already returned to his courtyard to rest, and Su Qing had also invited Doctor Bai to examine her.

It was confirmed that he was unharmed and had not suffered any damage from the long journey, which only made people realize that people's physical condition is different.

But this time when he returned, Ma Hao's relationship with Su Qing's side was noticeably better.

These personal guards knew that Lord Su was not only working for the soldiers, but also helping the General to give an account of himself.

Everyone remembers how the General left the capital.

When the people in the capital received Liang Gonggong's letter, they could hardly believe it.

The Emperor stared at the list, and tears welled up in his eyes.

Many things are too familiar.

He thought he would never find it again.

He never expected that his younger brother would actually help him find it, and he felt a wave of fear.

If these things fall into my uncle's hands, his strength will definitely increase.

It seems that sending Yan Zhengzhou to Guangxiafu is more beneficial than harmful.

As for Eunuch Liang, who wrote the document, he was indeed loyal.

"Let him come back."

"The war is over. The eunuchs have worked very hard. Let the Ministry of War send someone to take over."

Once the Lantern Festival (January 15th of the lunar calendar) is over, the New Year celebrations are considered to be over

Letters came from all directions.

The most pleasantly surprised were naturally Eunuch Liang and the others.

Finally, I can go back to Beijing!

That's great!

The others can wait a little longer, while these eunuchs can pack their things and leave immediately.

If we wait for the Ministry of War to arrive, who knows how long that will take?

As for the handover, that can be left to your subordinates.

Su Qing had witnessed their eagerness; he received the secret letter on the sixteenth and packed his bags on the twenty-first.

They set off directly from Nanjiang County and took a horse-drawn carriage back to the capital.

After resting in Nanjiang County for more than a month, Liang Gonggong and his group set off.

Before leaving, Eunuch Liang specially invited Prefect Su, Magistrate Fei, Assistant Magistrate Zhu, and others to a banquet.

Su Qing was supposed to host the banquet, but Eunuch Liang said, "I was able to go back this time entirely thanks to your plan, so I will definitely be the one to invite you."

"This is my residence outside the capital. If you need anything, you can write here."

After Liang Gonggong handed his calling card to Su Qing, the two began to keep in touch.

Su Qing nodded and accepted it.

In the future, the areas around the capital will definitely exchange goods and services.

As for Consort Qi, earlier that morning, he, Yu Yunxi, and Liu Lülan went to pay their respects at Consort Yu's grave.

Although these two children are Lao Yu's godson and godson, they actually spend the most time with him.

Yunxi, accompanied by Lülan, bowed to Uncle Qi again in front of everyone, as a formal farewell.

Seeing the two men's sincere expressions and earnest attitudes, the palace officials also wiped away their tears.

They were all eunuchs, fathers-in-law, and would never have children; the idea of ​​having both sons and daughters was out of the question.

Old Yu's two well-behaved children are heartbreaking to see.

Qi, the eunuch, also said, "I have also given my calling card to Lord Su. I think I will take you to the capital in the future, and then it will be like home."

"Oh, right, there's also your father Yu's outer residence, which is near my house. It's already been given to you two. I'll help look after it for now, and you can move in when you're older."

Yunxi and Lülan, one sixteen and the other fourteen, followed Su Qing around.

Qi, the palace official, was naturally relieved.

Without saying goodbye, on the day of their departure, Eunuch Liang and the others were quite emotional.

In any case, the war is finally over.

Yan Zhengzhou definitely won't go to deliver it.

He was the emperor's younger brother, a man of noble status, yet he brought Su Qing back.

Yan Zhengzhou already knew that Su Qing had used three boxes of items to ask him to return to the capital later.

Su Qing did indeed do it behind his back, but she wasn't worried about making him angry. She simply said, "If you leave, who will escort me to Gaoqing Prefecture?"

"The rebels over there are probably much more powerful than the rebels in Shanyang Prefecture."

Seeing that she was avoiding the main point, Yan Zhengzhou was unusually helpless: "Eunuch Liang's help to delay can't delay for too long."

Su Qing didn't care.

She really couldn't let Yan Zhengzhou go.

The situation in Gaoqing Prefecture is complicated. Besides him, who else can be invincible?

Moreover, she had some lingering worries.

If it were just stripping Yan Zhengzhou of his military power, that would be fine.

It would cost him his life.

If Shunchang Kingdom rebels again in the future, who will resist them?

Seeing that Yan Zhengzhou was still talking, Su Qing suddenly stopped, turned to him and said, "Is your life just yours?"

Yan Zhengzhou frowned.

"If another rebellion breaks out, and countless lives are lost, it will all be your problem."

Yan Zhengzhou was unfairly blamed, but his expression remained unchanged.

Su Qing continued, "Your death is a small matter; the problem is that you can't use your abilities to protect the people of the world."

These statements are almost entirely illogical and unreasonable.

As Magistrate Ma Hao and his entourage drew closer, they trembled at the sight of the two men's voices.

After Su Qing dismissed Magistrate Fei and Assistant Magistrate Zhu, Ma Hao said to his superior, "General, it's a good thing that we're not returning to the capital for the time being."

Yan Zhengzhou said, "The later we get back, the greater their suspicions will become."

They are even more dangerous.

But Su Qing had already acted first and informed him later, cutting off his way back quickly.

It's clearly leading him down a different path.

Does Su Qing even know what she's doing?

I wasn't angry, though.

Yan Zhengzhou's eyes were unreadable, and he simply said, "Go patrol the camp."

Since we're not going back to the capital.

The 120,000 border troops need to be trained well.

There are also rebels roaming around Gaoqing Prefecture. Those who should be captured should be captured as soon as possible before Su Qing arrives.

Eunuch Liang and the others left.

General Yan also led his men to Gaoqing Prefecture to wipe out the rebel army.

Su Qing kept to himself, waiting only for Ye Shanming to arrive.

She sent away five of the thirty-six boxes, leaving thirty-one boxes of gold and silver treasures, which she was waiting to convert into cash and return to the capital.

As the prefect, I can't be away from home all the time.

On the 22nd day of the first lunar month, Ye Shanming finally arrived by boat.

After the rebels swept through the area, the Ye family was the first to set sail to Nanjiang County in Guangle Prefecture.

It wasn't that the other boat owners weren't coming, but rather that he set off on the ninth day of the first lunar month, which was too early.

Some people say that Ye Shanming has extended too much credit to the prefect of Guangle Prefecture, and his urgency is because he is eager to collect payment.

The payment for the goods was over one million taels.

If the Ye family hadn't taken advantage of the Xu family, who were also from Yangzhou, and had a large fortune, they really wouldn't have been able to withstand it.

Few people knew that Ye Shanming set off immediately after receiving Su Qing's letter.

Even so, seeing Su Qing personally come to the dock to pick him up, Ye Shanming still felt something was wrong.

At lunchtime at a restaurant, Ye Shanming said directly, "Speak, what brings you here?"

"Is it a good thing or a bad thing?"

Su Qing couldn't help but laugh: "How could you say that? I'm so heartbroken. How could I possibly have bad news when I came to you?"

Su Qing said, "Besides, there's only good news lately, really great news."

Seeing her so happy, Ye Shanming frowned instead: "What good news? Who does it have to do with you?"

The question was strange. Su Qing thought for a moment and said, "The capital city, I guess."

People or things related to the capital city.

Ye Shanming probed, "You're not getting married, are you? Your marriage to Gu Congsi is off, isn't it?"

This is completely irrelevant.

But Ye Shanming's eyes were deep and thoughtful, though the look was fleeting, it was clear that he had other plans.

Su Qing chuckled lightly: "So what if it is?"

Ye Shanming put down his chopsticks, leaned back in his chair, and his expression was hard to decipher.

He was about to speak, but then hesitated for a moment.

Hayama Mei, who was usually quick-witted, was speechless for once.

There's no point in saying anything else in front of Su Qing.

She's too smart; it's better to tell her everything.

“Marrying him would be a terrible deal,” Ye Shanming said, taking a sip of tea. “If Prefect Su is interested in marriage, he might consider me.”

Su Qing just wanted to see what Ye Shanming was thinking.

They were completely dumbfounded.

Su Qing looked puzzled, and Ye Shanming pressed on, "The Ye family's businesses are spread throughout Nanjing, and they are doing quite well in Guang Le Fu now."

"If the court doesn't take care of things, the situation may become unstable in the future."

"With my family's wealth and your abilities, you will surely be able to protect your family."

"It will also allow you to fully utilize your abilities."

Two or three years ago, Ye Shanming's condition was to ask Su Qing to be the manager of the Guangyuefu branch.

Now, the first thing they're asking is for her to become the young mistress of the Ye family.

Ye Shanming will surely be the next person in charge of the Ye family.

Su Qing will also be in charge of this wealthy merchant family whose businesses span the entire country.

Ye Shanming spoke sincerely, even saying, "Otherwise, why would I be willing to lend out a million in goods and never urge them to pay?"

“Su Qing, what I value is not military trade, nor the potential of Guangyuefu.”

"What I value is you."

Su Qing scratched his head.

I should have known that this would be the result of my probing.

She should have just shut up.

But this would explain that she and Gu Congsi were really not engaged, and it would also be like giving her hope.

Su Qing couldn't help but say, "Don't you know that Gu Congsi and I are getting married? Is this a proper thing to say?"

When Ye Shanming saw her bring up this reason, he shamelessly said, "It's appropriate. Even if we were married, so what?"

"Does Lord Su still care about this?"

Su Qing was speechless.

This person is even more shameless and audacious than I imagined.

Perfect, that makes it ideal for the next transaction.

Su Qing stopped him from continuing, and instead brought up the 1.5 million yuan payment: "No matter who it is, more than a million yuan is still too much."

"I invited you here to discuss payment for the goods."

Ye Shanming found it even stranger.

In his view, even if he wanted to repay the money, he would have to wait until May or June, after the medicinal herbs from Guanglefu were sold out.

Or perhaps in August or September, when there is an autumn tax.

It's not yet the end of the first month of the lunar calendar.

Where did the money come from?

Su Qing didn't say anything, only told him to eat first, and then she would take him to see the situation.

Su Qing naturally wouldn't take him to the storeroom; instead, she invited Ye Shanming to the study in the back courtyard.

In the study was a box containing various kinds of jade, including jade pendants, waist pendants, and bracelets.

Ye Shanming has such keen insight.

These jade pendants, each worth several thousand taels of silver, are just casually placed in a box?

Even at his home, things should be arranged separately.

Seeing him pick it up, Su Qing immediately said, "Don't break it, or I won't be able to pay back your money."

"Where did it come from?" Ye Shanming picked up a waist pendant directly. "The most valuable is white jade that is as smooth as butter. If it also has a mark as red as blood, it is called blood jade. It is the finest among ancient jades."

"How could such a thing exist among the common people?"

Looking at the bracelet again, it was the color of agate with a glaze, and the patterns inside resembled those of pine and cypress trees.

It must be someone's most treasured possession, something they wouldn't easily show to others.

Ye Shanming looked at it more closely and found that the agate bracelet actually contained a complete set of earrings and a necklace. How could this be?

After he finished looking at it, he looked up and asked, "The items in the hands of the rebels?"

Thinking of how Eunuch Liang and the others, who were originally in Nanjiang County, were summoned back to the capital, Ye Shanming said helplessly, "You're too bold."

Ignoring those words, Su Qing simply asked, "How much do you think this box of things can sell for?"

Ye Shanming roughly estimated: "These are all good items, but it's not good to sell them directly, as there will inevitably be losses."

"It should fetch around 100,000 taels."

Ye Shanming realized something, and Su Qing also said, "Then do you dare to earn this money? We'll give you a share of the profits if you sell it."

"I can still pay you back the money for the goods."

This was the purpose of Su Qing's summons.

They secretly resold the private collections of powerful and wealthy people in Beijing.

Paying off all the debts owed to Guangyuefu will allow them to support the army.

Doesn't the capital city refuse to allocate military funds?

Then she can take it herself.

That makes perfect sense!