Chapter 256 Silver
In the imperial palace, the emperor and empress were also always paying attention to the situation in Huitongguan.
Suppressing Wohe was nothing. Although he had obtained the so-called throne, the Bordered White Banner had already fought almost to the death with the Rakshasa Kingdom. The key now was to suppress Suo Jin and Tie Bao.
These two people are far superior to Woher in terms of status, power and the people under them.
"emperor!"
Liu An came over with a smile, "Mr. Liu, please go to the side hall."
Mr. Liu basically rested in the guard house these days, and during the day he studied various news about the Rakshasa Kingdom, the Jin people and the Tatars in the side hall.
"Have you found another hidden gold spot?"
The emperor was very excited. He put down his pen and ran straight to the west hall.
Here is a huge map of the entire capital city and the seven surrounding counties. Liu Zhi believes that Wohe, Suo Jin and Tie Bao only brought guards into the city, not only because they brought a large amount of silver bills, but also because they had multiple secret agents in the capital city or its surrounding areas, and these secret agents hid a large amount of valuables.
He also cited the example of more than three million taels of silver that Jia Jing had found that year, and believed that the royal family of the Jin Dynasty had been accustomed to a life of pleasure and had long been corrupt.
Once a war breaks out, the first thing they might think of is to transfer their property to ensure a wealthy life for themselves and their descendants.
The best place for a wealthy and luxurious life is Dazhao.
Mr. Liu followed Jia Jing's example and checked the caravans coming and going outside the Great Wall. Several secret guards were led around by him. Half an hour ago, An San reported that a large amount of valuables were found in a courtyard only a hundred feet away from the clan residence.
It was a caravan that frequently went in and out of the Great Wall, and it was rented from the clan office at a high price.
Haha~how ridiculous!
You thought that with the sign of the Imperial Clan Court, no one would dare to check it, right? The emperor didn't let them alert the enemy immediately.
Of course, Mr. Liu would not let them alert the enemy.
He believed that the Qing imperial family had at least eight gold hiding places in the capital.
"Congratulations, Your Majesty! Congratulations, Your Majesty!"
When the emperor came over, An Yi knelt on one knee and congratulated him with a smile, "I followed Mr. Liu's instructions and found another hidden place of golden men. There are not only a lot of gold and silver hidden there, but also more than ten golden men."
“Okay, okay!”
The emperor was so happy, "Where is this secret stake?"
"Xizhimen Carriage and Horse Shop."
Mr. Liu rubbed his brow, and around him were piles of various lease deeds obtained from Shuntian Prefecture.
"Keep your eyes on it."
It just so happens that they are about to go to war with the Rakshasas.
After the war, to recover the homeland, or even to immigrate, a lot of money is needed.
The emperor was very satisfied. "Including this one, there are already two places. The next place..."
"I suspect the Cheng'en Mansion."
What? The smile on the emperor's face disappeared in an instant.
"Your Majesty, you awarded Duke Cheng'en a small farm in the suburbs of Beijing when the New Year was approaching last year."
Liu Zhi said calmly, "This farm was originally an imperial farm, belonging to the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Last year, you awarded it to Duke Cheng'en. Since it was located on the outskirts of Beijing and on the roadside, Duke Cheng'en followed the housekeeper's advice and converted it into a warehouse. The annual rent is 3,800 taels."
This is much more profitable than farming.
"This steward has gradually become prominent in the Cheng'en Mansion since you ascended the throne. Whether it is land or shops, the profits have far exceeded those before since he took over. I think... this person should be investigated carefully."
"Yes, yes, check carefully!"
In the past, the emperor was poor, and my father-in-law was just given the title of Cheng'en Gong. Although when he conferred the title, my father gave him two small estates for the sake of face, but with the improvement of his status, many things had to be raised as well. In addition, due to the dependence of his clansmen, my father-in-law and mother-in-law could only barely make ends meet.
Moreover, at the beginning, they wanted to recruit people for him and exchange gifts with the kings. The result can be imagined.
In the past few years, his father-in-law and mother-in-law closed the door and courtyard, restrained the clansmen, seldom entered the palace, and also stuffed silver notes of 110 or 120 taels into the hands of the empress. The empress used the money and worked hard to support him. Therefore, as soon as he had recovered a little last year, he was rewarded with a small farm.
He heard that the manor was converted into a warehouse, and the rent was not small, so he was happy. He didn't expect it! The emperor's back was sweating coldly, "Investigate it secretly, don't tell anyone about this for the time being, especially the queen."
If it was really the butler's problem, it must be because he ascended the throne and became emperor, and someone was playing the long game to catch a big fish.
At the same time, in Huitong Hall, Shen Ning was in a very good mood as she watched Suo Jin and Tie Bao retreating step by step but still trying to maintain a smile.
In order to seek Jia Wen's forgiveness, Wo He followed Jia Zhu's advice and asked for her forty-nine lashes, which were now being given to her next door.
But after beating Woher, will the anger be relieved?
Suo Jin and Tie Bao, one as the elder and the other as the older brother, both have the responsibility to teach, but they did not teach and instead let it go.
In the past, of course no one dared to say anything, but now, not to mention that Jia Wen is already the Princess of Rong, just because she is a daughter of the Jia family, the Jia family must seek justice for her.
"...My two princes, there are some things that we know in our hearts and you know very well."
Jia Zhu was a gentle and polite man, but every time he spoke, Tie Bao wanted to draw his sword and chop him. "My second aunt came to your side only because her last name was Jia. My great grandfather and grandfather were such heroes. If they were still alive, you dared to bully my aunt like this... Even the king of heaven could not stop them from killing you."
“…”
“…”
Tie Bao was furious and wanted to roar, no matter how heroic they were, they would eventually die of old age!
If you have the ability, do it now!
But this...
He stole a glance at Shen Ning, but had to hold it in.
"Then let's calculate now, how much are the lives of the two princes worth?"
“Hehe~~”
Suo Jin smiled with a fake smile, "Have you all forgotten that we are envoys and His Majesty the Great Zhao Emperor has only met us today?"
Are they something that the small Jia family can handle? "Speaking of the Princess of Rongguo, I admit that the Princess's title is inseparable from your Jia family. However, as far as I know, there are two sisters of the same generation as the Princess who are living in your Rongguo Mansion. May I ask why they are not crowned princesses?"
It was thanks to their help that Jia Wen was able to become a princess.
These bastards only flatter themselves.
"Since the princess's title has something to do with us, what you said is too much."
"Has it passed?"
Shen Ning smiled, "The prince said you are envoys?"
“…”
Suo Jin ignored her.
Of course they were envoys, otherwise they would not have been able to stay at Huitong Hall.
"I can't refute that, but... there is a difference between an envoy and an envoy. In fact, the Qing Dynasty was no longer a country the moment it lost its emperor."
In this era, all the figures who once made a sensation in later generations disappeared because of the death of the little emperor.
"What's more, you are now desperate and have to ask Dazhao for help."
When Shen Ning looked directly into Suo Jin's eyes, the smile on her face did not fall, "But the attitude of asking for help from Dazhao, did you really bring it?"
"…We were not thoughtful enough before."
Suo Jin had no choice but to admit his mistake. "But now we are here with great sincerity. Wohe has been elected as the king, and he is now the leader of the Bordered White Banner. Madam Shen said last time that the daughter of the Jia family can only be the principal wife. Before we came, we had already divorced Wohe from his wife.
We sincerely ask to marry the Princess of Rongguo. I believe that the Emperor of Dazhao is also looking forward to this. Madam Shen and the young master of your family are talking about other things..."
"Ah~~~~"
There was a crack of whip from next door, followed by Woher's loud howl.
"Who gave you the confidence that the emperor would like Princess Rongguo to marry Wohe?"
Shen Ning smiled, "Before you came, didn't you ask about the relationship between the retired emperor and my uncle, Duke Rong? He sent his daughter to marry a general of the border army in order to protect my Great Zhao. Now my uncle is gone. Although the retired emperor is seriously ill, there is still the emperor. He sympathizes with my second sister and suffers a lot. What's the problem? Your Excellency, what do you mean by this king, this king? Now you... can also be king?"
“…”
“…”
The only sounds heard at the scene were Suo Jin and Tie Bao's heavy breathing.
They wanted so badly to get angry and chop her up.
But when her eyes fell on the musket on the small table in front of her and the three obviously armed female guards around her, she could only press down.
"Since my second sister and her three children also have the blood of my Jia family, I will teach you a lesson today."
“…Please give me some advice!”
Suo Jin gritted his teeth and bowed to her.
He wanted to hear how crazy this woman could be.
"I heard that you gave military funds for sending reinforcements in the court today?"
"good!"
It's too much if these people don't take any action after receiving the military funds.
"So you are not completely senile."
Shen Ning took a sip of tea. "But when will the reinforcements leave, where will they leave, and when will they fight... I heard that you are also an expert in military operations, so you should know that there is a lot of room for maneuver here."
Suo Jin: “…”
Tie Bao: “…”
The two of them didn't care about being angry anymore and just stared at her closely.
"Although my Jia family has left the army, I think the generals from all sides will still give me some face."
"...Please tell me what you want, Madam Shen?"
Suo Jin and Tie Bao looked at each other and bowed together.
"silver!"
silver?
Suo Jin and Tie Bao felt relieved and simultaneously glanced at the eunuch guarding outside the door.
"Sure, sure!"
Suo Jin tried his best to put on a smile, "It was indeed his fault that Wohe kidnapped the princess. We are willing to compensate the Jia family with one million taels of silver."
Isn't it just money? Here it is! It depends on whether you have the life to spend it.
Suo Jin sneered in his heart.
"One million taels?"
Shen Ning smiled, "Who are you looking down on, sir? Do you know that last year, the merchants in Dazhao offended my family and paid hundreds of thousands of silver in compensation? You took so many from the Central Plains back then, one million... What do you think my Jia family is?"
At this point, her face had turned cold. "Now, I'll give you one last chance. If you don't speak well... then don't blame us for turning around and leaving. From now on... you know what's going on."
“…”
“…”
Suo Jin and Tie Bao couldn't help swallowing their saliva.
This woman is a man of her words, and is favored by the emperor and empress...
Hiss~ The two looked at each other and exchanged glances.
They gave 3.8 million taels of silver to the Jia family for military expenses...
Bastards, since you want to die, then die early!
"Three million and a half taels."
Suo Jin wanted to say 3.8 million taels, but that was too obvious.
To prevent any accidents, he said three million and five hundred thousand taels.
"Cash?"
"Cash!"
When Jia She, Jia Zhen and Jia Zhu heard about so much silver, they exchanged glances with each other and said nothing.
If it was tens of thousands of taels, the eldest sister-in-law (mother, aunt) might have borne the consequences for the Jia family.
But needless to say, most of this was not discussed for their family.
"This is compensation, not a betrothal gift?"
"…It's compensation, not a betrothal gift."
Isn't it just money? Here! Jia Yan, Jia Yuan, Jia Daihua, and Jia Daishan, if they knew that their descendants were so stupid, they would probably all crawl out of their coffins.
Huh~ Suo Jin tried his best to hide the malice in his expression with a smile.
"I wonder how much the princess's betrothal gift is?"
Shen Ning asked again.
Suo Jin and Tie Bao looked at each other quickly again.
The originally negotiated amount of 300,000 taels would definitely not be possible.
"Of course, the more betrothal gifts the princess gets, the better."
Suo Jin laughed and said, "But there are also rules for us to marry wives. Each wife should pay around 600,000 taels."
"become!"
Shen Ning nodded, "It's not enough to just talk nonsense. Since we have come to this point and everyone is sincere, I believe the money has already arrived in the capital. How about the delivery now?"
how?
Then just give it to me!
Suo Jin clapped his hands, and soon a guard stepped forward: "Your Majesty!"
"According to the time, the silver shipped here by water should also arrive from Tongzhou Wharf. You should go and welcome it."
In order to prevent the people here from suspecting that they were hiding gold in the capital, they also made a lot of preparations.
"We have received it and transported it here directly."
"yes!"
The guards hurried out.
The eunuchs standing at the door as pillars looked at each other and said nothing.
When they came, the Empress Dowager and Eunuch Liu, who represented the Emperor, had specifically instructed them that even if Madam Shen killed Suo Jin and Tie Bao with a musket, all they had to do was to clean up the mess and not blame them.
As for the silver, it is better to send it to Dazhao than to leave it with the Jin people.
In fact, at this time, a long line of silver carriages was heading towards Huitong Hall.
"It seems that you two really came with sincerity."
Shen Ning seemed very happy. "But, I heard that you are still short of two million taels of silver for military expenses? After you pay for the military expenses, will it be enough for our family?"
“…”
Suo Jin was angry.
"Many years ago, my husband Jia Jing intercepted a sum of money from your side. May I ask..."
Every failure is a learning experience.
How can we admit this? Tie Bao answered quickly, "Don't worry, Madam Shen, we came with sincerity and have made sufficient preparations. The first batch of silver is 4 million taels, and the second batch of silver will arrive at Tongzhou Wharf soon."
"I see!"
Shen Ning smiled, "Zhen'er, go to the Ministry of Revenue and ask the adults there to come over and receive the military funds first."
"yes!"
Jia Zhen hurried out.
So after a while, Chen Laoguan, who thought that he would have to go through countless negotiations to get the military funds, came over happily to collect the money.
However, he was still coveting the two million taels.
However, since they have arrived in Dazhao, it must still be theirs.
As for the Jia family asking for money, he didn't believe it except for some ignorant people.
Who is Madam Shen? Is she that short-sighted?
What's more, with so much silver, even an ordinary ignorant woman would not be stupid enough to just take it home.
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