However, when this fellow came out, he actually went to look for Qu Duan, the deputy commander of the imperial camp who was alone in Tokyo City. He saw Qu Duan agree to it in person and ride out on the iron elephant which is now famous in East Asia. Then the two of them went to "their very dear elder" Wang Shuzhan, one in front and one behind.
Uncle Wang’s family is a wealthy family in Shezhou.
After the situation in Tokyo stabilized, on the one hand, the officials who had fled to the north and those who came from poor backgrounds were left penniless, while on the other hand, the wealthy officials in the south, especially those who came from wealthy families south of the Huai River, had not lost a penny... and Wanqi Xie, who was a favorite of the emperor and had recently been promoted to such an honorable position as the Palace Censor, was absolutely unwilling to embezzle money at will, so he came here often just to eat and drink for free and enjoy life.
It's Qu Duan... After he passed the imperial examination and became a Jinshi, he rarely made trouble in the palace. Many people mistakenly thought that he had changed his temper and was favored by the emperor, so he was often deliberately won over. However, when this guy was away from the emperor, he still had a foul mouth and did not change his bad habits, which made people feel embarrassed.
For example, Wang Shuzhan, he had already criticized Wang Shuzhan several times, saying that Wang Shuzhan was only interested in personal gain and only cared about being an official. He also said that his son Wang Ruohai only regarded the "Book of Requesting the Establishment of Zhao's Descendants" written during the Jingkang Period as the basis for his advancement, and had no other achievements. As for the book, it was probably just a fake book written by Qin Hui, Ma Shen, and Zhang Shuye that he copied afterwards...
After several incidents, even people like Uncle Wang and Zhan didn't dare to provoke him.
And during the New Year, Wanqi Yuanzhong actually called over the man of both literary and martial talents, Qu Da, who was specially appointed as the governor. I wonder what he was thinking?
Sure enough, after entering the house, both the Wang father and son, as well as the Wang family's in-laws and rivals, the chief clan leader Zhao Shi? and his son, who were specially invited, were very happy to see Wanqi Xie. But when they saw Qu Da, their faces changed. But these two families were proud and it was not easy to send people away during the New Year, so they had to bite the bullet and hold the banquet.
Everyone in the Wang residence, including Hu Hongxiu who was basically living in his father-in-law's house, remained calm... This was because Qu Duan at most said that he was just talking big but was not that serious.
Everyone sat down, with the Great Chief and Old Man Wang sitting at the top, Wanqi Xie and Qu Duan on their left, and Zhao Bufan, Wang Ruohai and Hu Hongxiu, three brothers by marriage, on their right. There was no one below them... It was a standard family dinner, but the atmosphere was particularly weird.
However, thanks to Wanqi Xie, the Palace Censor who spoke freely and was able to make friends with everyone, he first raised his glass to congratulate the court on its victory, then wished the two elders present a happy birthday, and then discussed the future situation and the future prospects of several younger generations, which gradually livened up the atmosphere of the banquet.
After three rounds of drinks and saving the situation three or five times, Wanqi Yuanzhong suddenly recounted the minor issues that occurred at today's small court meeting, causing Zhao, Wang and other old politicians who were of noble status but not qualified to participate to listen attentively.
“It’s difficult for officials!”
After Wanqi Xie finished speaking, he set the tone himself. "If today's discussion were to spread, people who don't know would probably say that the emperor only said good things, but it was useless, and still had to let others make up for the deficit. But how could you and I not know that the emperor is so poor, not a single bit of the extra money and grain from the Yeonbok Palace was transferred in, and tributes from all places were abolished. Even the two imperial concubines are decent, but they all rely on their families for support... If it comes to making up for the deficit, the emperor has already made up for it himself."
Hearing this, Zhao, Wang, Hu and others had no time to sigh, and Qu Duan frowned again: "Brother Yuanzhong, I understand that you are upset for the government, but how can you bring the discussion in the palace here? How many of these people are qualified to participate in important military and national affairs? If this matter gets out, and there is a disturbance because of Jiaozi, won't it be your fault and mine?"
Not to mention the few young people, the respected relatives, Uncle Zhao and Uncle Wang, blushed for a moment, but it was difficult for them to refute.
"Qu Da, you are judging others by your own standards." Others were afraid of Qu Duan, so how could Wan Qi Xie be afraid? He immediately put on a stern face and refuted again. "Uncle Zhao must be here. He is a national hero and a senior official of the royal family. He should know the whole story. Uncle Wang is a moral role model. Even if he knew, he would still think about the country. How could he spread it privately?"
"You can't judge a person by his face. Who knows that someone is going to issue Jiaozi and takes the opportunity to lend money and hoard money, becoming a heartless rich man?" Qu Duan blurted out.
But after saying only these, he lowered his head to drink and eat without saying anything more. This made many people at the table want to get angry, but they didn't know whether they should do so or not.
After coming back to his senses, it was still Zhao Shi? Uncle Zhao was highly respected and more tolerant. He smiled bitterly and said on the spot: "The emperor is poor and even a little harsh on me. I know it. But for me, this matter of 300,000 strings of cash is just a small matter after all, and has nothing to do with the overall situation... The emperor is heroic and has always made his own decisions. I think there is no need for an old minister like me to get involved... During the New Year, just enjoy yourself."
Uncle Wang Zhan nodded slightly and was about to raise the cup to join in the toast.
But at this moment, Qu Duan looked up again and said coldly: "As a member of the royal family, every penny of your body is supported by the people. Even if the government does not want you, don't you want to serve the country? The king is still working hard for the country, and the soldiers fighting in the front still have to use Jiaozi to pay for their military pay, but you, a member of the royal family, are here using the people's blood and sweat for a banquet! As Du Gongbu said, the rich are feasting and drinking, while the poor are freezing on the streets. It was about you, but you said it as if you have been wronged. You have been wronged? What does the government matter? What do we who have fought for the country matter?"
Not to mention the people at the table, even the servants were stunned, holding a hot towel in their hands. And Uncle Zhao felt his chest pounding and his throat tight from the time he heard the words "the fat and blood of the people". He wanted to curse but didn't know what words to use, and wanted to refute but didn't know where to start, so he was so stifled that his face turned red.
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