Chapter 112 Secret Support
"Of course. Sign here, young lady, and I'll get you a banknote. It's a pretty large sum, but don't show off your wealth. You can cash it in anywhere and spend it..."
The shopkeeper winked and took Cheng Weiyao to the outer room. The pawn receipt had already been written, and it seemed that he was going to finalize the deal on the spot.
"Know the goods!"
Cheng Weiyao followed him to the outer room with a smile on her face, but in fact she was secretly making a gesture in her mind. Three thousand was her target price. She had guessed that he would lower the price, so she deliberately asked for a higher price of five hundred taels.
When he took the silver note out of the pawnshop and returned to the backyard, he happened to see the yamen runners in the lobby having eaten and drunk their fill, and they stood up and were about to greet everyone to set off again.
"Where's that little old girl? She's getting ready to go..."
The yamen runner glanced around the lobby and shouted with a frown, while Cheng Weiyao lifted the curtain in time and came out from the back kitchen.
"Okay, let's get going. Those who need to register their household registration should prepare their money. We'll take them there this time, and those who can't get it done will have to go there on their own next time..."
The team set out again, and Cheng Weiyao began to inquire about the difference in household registration prices. The yamen runners, tempted by the delicious food, naturally told her everything they knew.
The reason for such a high price difference is mainly due to the household registration classification. Household registration levels like those of the royal family did not even have to pay taxes or perform labor service.
Therefore, anyone with a little money is willing to spend money to buy a good household registration and be exempted from certain taxes and labor service.
The most important thing is that household registration is hereditary. The most vivid example is that the children of untouchables are still untouchables. Untouchables cannot "change jobs" and can only make a living in lowly industries throughout their lives.
Considering the environment of this town, Cheng Weiyao decided to register her household registration in the town, mainly because this town is close to the water and there are many docks where official ships or merchant ships are docked.
Such convenient water transportation is also one of the main reasons why Qingshi Town can prosper, making it suitable for doing business!
My household registration has been settled, but I still need to seek opinions from other people in the Prince Qingping's Mansion.
"I don't mind. Sister-in-law, you are a person with your own ideas. Just do as you see fit."
Wen Liyu shrugged her shoulders. She always believed that one day she would be brought back to the capital, so it didn't matter what her household registration was for the time being. The emperor's bloodline could not be cut off just like that.
"Ayu is right. Since Wei Yao is married to Cheng Ming, she naturally has the right to manage the household. Just let you be the leader..."
The Imperial Noble Consort also had the same idea. During her exile, Cheng Weiyao's actions were witnessed by all. She was more than capable of being the head of the household and handling matters on her own.
With the support of the people from the Prince of Qingping's Mansion, Cheng Weiyao naturally registered the five of them in the town. After solving the household registration problem, the yamen runners had completed their mission. As for how these outsiders would survive in the future, it would be a matter of everyone having to use their own unique skills.
Wen Chengyun watched the yamen runners leave, then he lightly moved to Cheng Weiyao's side and said, "Madam, please take your family and find a place to stay first. I will go around the city to find a job and do some hard labor to supplement the family income..."
Cheng Weiyao narrowed her eyes slightly. As soon as the yamen runners left, Wen Chengyun was ready to take action. It didn't look like he was going to do hard labor at all... But he saw through it but didn't say it out loud. He also had many secrets, so he nodded obediently.
Wen Chengming left the place without worry. Although he was exiled, he had already made arrangements before coming here. At least no one would make things difficult for the Prince of Qingping's Mansion. As for the open and hidden attacks, his wife was not someone who could be easily defeated...
After Wen Chengyun left, he went to the restaurant where he had stopped before. He turned to the corner of the alley, put his fingers together and blew, and a seemingly inconspicuous bird song was heard.
One of the diners who was originally sitting in the restaurant eating and drinking left the table with a smile and walked towards the backyard to avoid being seen.
"Congratulations, my lord, on your safe arrival. I am the captain of the 7th Squadron of the Jinwu Guards. You can just call me Wu Qi."
Wu Qi looked around and used his inner strength to check that there was no one watching nearby. Then he walked into the back alley. As soon as he met Wen Chengyun, he bent his legs and knelt on one knee to salute him.
"Thank you for your hard work. You don't have to be so polite. It's been a while since you were transferred from the capital to Qingshi Town as a covert agent. Have you discovered anything?"
Wen Chengyun supported it with his hand, his expression serious. When Wu Qi left the table and came over, he was replaced as the manager by the waiter. It seemed that this restaurant was Wu Qi's livelihood in the local area.
The restaurant is bustling with people, and apart from brothels, it is the place with the most up-to-date information. Since it has become a local signature restaurant in just a few years, it must have heard a lot of news.
"This is the list of troops that have passed through Qingshi Town in recent years, carrying military supplies and military pay. After our restaurant became famous, more and more troops have come to rest here..."
Wu Qi took out a palm-sized account book from his arms, which recorded detailed information about military pay, including the year and month, and how much silver was paid.
The silver allocated from the capital had gone through layers of exploitation at the local level, and it was inevitable that there would be corruption and shortages. However, when Wen Chengyun saw the actual amount of silver distributed to the soldiers on the frontier, he couldn't help but feel a storm in his eyes.
Before his exile, he worked in the court. Every year, the Ministry of Revenue allocated subsidies and military pay to southern Xinjiang, each amount amounting to tens of thousands of taels of silver, but what was actually distributed to the soldiers was only a small amount.
The border is a cold and harsh place. If such harsh punishment continues for a long time, how can it not chill the hearts of the soldiers?
"Your Majesty, please calm down. I came here specifically to investigate this case. I'm sure you'll be very happy once it's successfully resolved."
Speaking of the withholding of military pay, Wu Qi was filled with resentment, but fortunately his master had already arrived in Qingshi Town. As long as he cooperated properly, it would only be a matter of time before the person behind the scenes was found.
"I'm a businessman, of low status. Even if I have connections and want to get close to them, it's still difficult to establish a relationship with someone in the military..."
When it came to business, the anger boiling in Wen Chengyun's eyes was hidden deep within. The most urgent task was to gain a firm foothold in Qingshi Town. Only by integrating into the local community could he possibly grasp the power behind the scenes...
On the other hand, after Wen Chengyun left, Cheng Weiyao began to look for a suitable place to live in the city. Considering that she had to look at each house one by one, she called Wen Liyu aside.
"I'll go arrange accommodation. Ah Yu, take Mother and Cheng Ming around the city. Doesn't Cheng Ming like that sugar figurine? Take him to try it. This is some money for your expenses. If it's not enough, ask me for more..."
Cheng Weiyao said as she stuffed a hundred taels of silver into Wen Liyu's hand. Renting a house was never cheap, no matter the era. And considering how prosperous trade was in Qingshi Town, it was obvious that the rent wouldn't be too low...
She needs to be prepared to shop around and choose the best place to live...
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