Chapter 145: Pulling on the Pirate Ship
After seeing Du Qingju off, the hall suddenly became much quieter.
Du Qingzhu stood at the door of the west wing and watched for a moment, then wrinkled his nose: "It feels like the room is empty, lacking a bit of vitality."
Du Qingtang came out of the bedroom and heard Du Qingzhu's mumbling. He raised his eyebrows slightly and said in a long tone: "It seems that Seventh Sister, you don't treat me as a human being at all."
Du Qingzhu opened his eyes wide and cried out in injustice: "I didn't say that, Xianyu, don't misinterpret my meaning!"
After saying that, she still felt it was not enough, so she lifted up her skirt and trotted over, affectionately took the youngest's arm, shook it gently twice, rested her head on the youngest's shoulder, and tried her best to act like a little bird.
"Xianyu, now we are the only ones left in Shaoqing Mansion, so please don't let me down."
Du Qingtang: "...What kind of nonsense have you been watching?"
Du Qingzhu's eyelashes trembled, and she turned her face away, trying to hide her guilt. She denied it loudly, "No, I've been so busy at the Food Fragrance Pavilion lately. I don't have time to read for fun."
Du Qingtang pointed out sarcastically, "Usually you speak loudest when you feel guilty."
Du Qingzhu: "...You're going too far. I'm getting angry!"
She would never admit that she couldn't sleep last night because she was thinking about Xiao Ba leaving. She read the storybook in the middle of the night and only took a nap for more than half an hour when it was almost dawn.
My brain was a mess at the moment, and I blurted out the words that the hero and heroine of the storybook said when they were in love.
Slap in the mouth!
Slap in the mouth!
Fortunately, Du Qingtang did not ask any further questions and just made a joke.
Du Qingzhu is already an adult, and being too strict is not a good thing. It will easily create estrangement and alienation between them.
Du Qingtang straightened his official robes and said, "I'm going to go on duty. Please do as you please."
Du Qingzhu let go of his hand and stood up straight. Suddenly, he remembered something: "Has the gentleman who came to Shaoqing Mansion to deliver the imperial edict two days ago left?"
Du Qingtang smoothed out the tiny wrinkles caused by Du Qingzhu and shook his head: "He's still staying at the inn. I was planning to go there today."
Her words that day were a bit extreme. When she left, Yan Tiande looked dazed and his eyes were dull. He looked like he had suffered a great blow.
Du Qingtang intended to give Yan Tiande time to digest the situation on his own. Two days had passed, and he should have almost digested it.
Guests are welcome. Yan Tiande came from afar, so as the host, she naturally couldn't leave him alone for too long.
"Go ahead, go ahead. I'm planning to go to Shixiang Pavilion too." Du Qingju waved her hand. "I'm planning to put up a resale notice next month. I'll sell it to whoever offers the highest price."
Du Qingtang nodded in agreement: "You can do whatever you want."
After arriving at the lobby and checking in, I went straight to the duty room.
Du Qingtang first fetched some clean water and wiped the desk and bookshelves one by one. As soon as he dried his hands and sat down, the clerk from the household department brought him official documents.
"Sir, the pile on the left is the most urgent one to be dealt with. The pile on the right is less urgent and can be dealt with later."
Du Qingtang glanced at him and nodded to indicate that he understood.
"I'll take my leave."
After the clerk left, Du Qingtang ground the ink and began to deal with the official documents.
Afterwards, the Clerk's Office and the Criminal Office sent over official documents.
Du Qingtang's pen left a shadow as he finally finished reviewing all the official documents an hour before the end of his shift and rode his horse to the post station.
The posthouse is located in the east of the city, through a long alley where a construction team is paving a cement road.
There were many people watching at the entrance of the alley, chattering and talking animatedly.
Someone with sharp eyes spotted Du Qingtang and shouted at the top of his voice, "Master Prefect!"
This sound seemed to press the start button, and the onlookers saluted and greeted.
The construction team leader also stepped forward to salute, and Du Qingtang asked him, "How's the progress?"
"Your Excellency, including the other three construction teams, ten streets have been paved so far."
Du Qingtang encouraged him and left. After arriving at the posthouse, he went straight to Yan Tiande's residence.
Yan Tiande was making tea, and Du Qingtang took over the task after bowing.
Yan Tiande did not stop her. He leaned back in his chair with his hands in his pockets and watched her movements expressionlessly.
Du Qingtang seemed oblivious. After the tea was brewed, he took a teacup and filled it to 70% full. He placed it next to Yan Tiande, then stepped back and bowed solemnly: "I apologize for any offense this official has caused. Your Excellency, please forgive me."
Yan Tiande snorted coldly: "I am not worthy of your cup of tea!"
After Du Qingtang left, Yan Tiande pondered for a long time, reviewing her remarks. He realized belatedly that he had lost the initiative from the very beginning and had been led by Du Qingtang the entire time. He was so angry that his nose was crooked and he could not eat much for dinner. He felt depressed these past two days and could not treat her well.
The more Yan Tiande thought about it, the angrier he became. He crossed his arms and said, "Humph!"
Du Qingtang: “…”
The saying "old child" is indeed true. As we get older, we become more childish.
Du Qingtang suppressed a smile, took a step forward, picked up the teacup and bowed: "Sir, please have some tea."
The celadon teacup is right in front of me, and the rich aroma of tea goes straight into my nose.
Yan Tiande stiffened his neck, and the two sides were deadlocked for a while. In the end, this "old man" lost the upper hand. He took the teacup with a stern face and said, "I would never do anything to bully the weak, but don't think that the matter is over now."
"I understand." Du Qingtang said calmly, "But I don't regret doing this."
Yan Tiande's throat choked, and he immediately felt that the tea no longer had any fragrance. He glared at her unhappily, "Are you determined to go down this path to the bitter end?"
Du Qingtang simply said, "I'm just fighting for women's legitimate rights. What's wrong with that?"
Yan Tiande was so angry that his heart ached, and his face was full of regret: "You child, when you get stubborn, even ten cows can't pull you back. Are you trying to piss me off to death?"
Du Qingtang lowered his head, restraining his sharp edge: "I dare not."
Don’t dare?
I think you are very brave!
"I think you are so bold and ignorant that you think you can rest easy knowing His Majesty knows what you have done."
"There will always be people who hate to see you do well. Gossip can melt gold, and accumulated criticism can destroy a person. When the situation forces you to, you will have to retreat!"
At this point, Yan Tiande couldn't help but complain: "To be disrespectful, I really don't understand what you are thinking, let alone what His Majesty is thinking. How could His Majesty allow you to do whatever you want in Shaoqing Prefecture?!"
Du Qingtang said calmly: "We only have one life to live, so why should we be afraid to act because of something that hasn't happened yet?"
"Then again, how do you know, sir, that I will definitely lose?"
Du Qingtang dared to do all this under the nose of Emperor Qingyuan because he was 80% sure that Emperor Qingyuan would not stop him.
As for the remaining 20% confidence, I will verify it slowly after returning to Beijing.
Yan Tiande thought about His Majesty's ambiguous attitude, and also thought about what he had seen and heard while walking through the streets and alleys of the city in the past two days, and hesitated for a moment.
Du Qingtang noticed his change in attitude and added fuel to the fire: "I've heard that your daughters are renowned for their talent. I dare to speculate that they are not only proficient in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, but their attainments in poetry are also comparable to those of men."
"Sir, can you bear to see them live like so many other women in the world, taking care of their husbands and children, managing the household, their talents buried and their pearls covered in dust?"
Yan Tiande was stunned for a moment, and his eyes became distant.
Just as Du Qingtang "boldly guessed", he did not restrict the women in his family, nor did he advocate that women's virtue lies in their lack of talent.
Whether daughters or granddaughters, they have been familiar with the Four Books and Five Classics since childhood to broaden their horizons and cultivate their character.
Yan Tiande suddenly remembered that when Du Yuanshi filed a complaint with the emperor and Du Qingtang was thrown into prison, his granddaughter once sighed: "Mrs. Du is so courageous and insightful. She is truly a role model for women."
He didn't care at that time, but now when he thinks back on it, the desire and unwillingness flashing in his granddaughter's eyes are obvious.
He longed to take the imperial examination and become an official in the court, just like Du Qingtang.
He was unwilling to see a woman trapped, so he admired her beauty.
Yan Tiande recalled that many years ago, he was just a seventh-rank prosecutor.
Yan Yuyi, the daughter of the emperor at the age of 13, ran to him holding the "Analects of Confucius". The butterfly beads on her bun opened their wings and seemed to fly away as she ran.
"The Analects is so well-written. I will definitely follow Confucius' teachings of self-discipline and self-control. When I grow up, I will be like my father and become a good official who benefits the people!"
At that time, Yan Tiande just thought this was a joke, and laughed and said, "Silly girl, women can't be officials."
Sister Yi'er pouted her lips so much that an oil bottle could be hung on them, and ran away with the book in her arms.
Not long after, Yan Tiande and his family attended the birthday party of the prefect's wife.
At a birthday banquet, Yi Jie'er was discussing Mencius with others. The prefect's wife happened to overhear her and scolded her on the spot: "A woman's virtue lies in her lack of talent. A girl who recites the Four Books is not afraid of being laughed at and having trouble getting married when she grows up."
After returning home, Yi Jie'er cried bitterly. From then on, she never talked about the Four Books and Five Classics with others in public, and no longer had the naive fantasy of becoming a good official like her father when she grew up.
Even the Four Books and Five Classics, which she regarded as treasures, were gradually put aside and rarely taken out to read.
When Yan Tiande asked why, Yi Jie'er just smiled and said, "I don't like watching it anymore."
Later, Yi Jie'er grew up gradually and her talent became famous. Everyone knew that the eldest daughter of the Yan family was gentle and quiet, and was proficient in piano, chess, calligraphy and painting.
A beautiful woman is sought after by hundreds of families, and countless families want to marry Yi Jie'er as their principal wife, and the threshold of the Yan family is almost trampled down.
Yan Tiande and his wife carefully selected a good son-in-law.
They asked Sister Yi'er for her opinion, and she smiled, her smile calm and gentle: "It's all fine."
Yan Tiande was a little upset at the time. How could marriage be a joke?
Thinking about it now, Yan Tiande suddenly understood the hidden meaning behind the word "anything is fine".
Since a woman's destiny is to marry and have children, it doesn't matter who she marries.
Since I can't become a good official like my father, I can marry anyone.
......
Only today did Yan Tiande suddenly realize that he and Cai Sheng's wife had killed Yi Jie'er's innocent and pure dream.
Unfortunately, it was too late, everything was too late.
Thinking of Yi Jie'er, who was praised for her virtue and treated illegitimate children as her own, it was as if an invisible hand in the air was strangling Yan Tiande's throat, making it difficult for him to breathe, his fingertips numb, his chest heaving rapidly, and he had to gasp for breath to avoid suffocation.
The back of his hand suddenly felt hot, and Yan Tiande lowered his head. The tea had spilled out due to his trembling fingers, wetting his palm and also soaking his clothes.
"grown ups."
Yan Tiande put down the teacup, took out a handkerchief, wiped the tea from his hands, and calmly said, "The country has its laws, the family has its rules, the Yan family has its own officials, and the descendants are also striving for honor. They just need to drink tea and appreciate the flowers and spend their days leisurely. Why bother getting involved in this mess?"
"Your Excellency is wrong." Du Qingtang didn't miss the sadness that flashed across Yan Tiande's face. He said calmly, "It's said that having connections in the court makes things easier. The more connections the better."
Yan Tiande: "...When it comes to sophistry, no one can defeat you, Du Qingtang."
Du Qingtang said modestly, "Your Excellency is too kind. I am only speaking the truth and sticking to the facts."
Yan Tiande relaxed his entire body, leaning back in his chair, and slowly exhaled, not wanting to continue the previous topic: "I've been wandering around the city these past two days."
Du Qingtang took over the conversation: "What do you think, sir?"
Yan Tiande put his fist to his lips and coughed twice: "Not bad."
The patrol soldiers perform their duties diligently and conscientiously to maintain public order in the city.
The cement roads are wide and clean. People consciously go to public toilets to solve physiological problems. They do not throw garbage casually, but throw it into the garbage station.
Delivery men and women can be seen everywhere in the streets and alleys. With them, people can buy what they want without leaving their homes.
While strolling around the city, Yan Tiande wondered more than once what was going on in Du Qingtang's brain and why he could always come up with some brilliant ideas.
There were also garment factories and dried fruit factories, but since outsiders were not allowed to enter, Yan Tiande only took a look from outside the door.
The workers were busy as hell, with smiles on everyone's faces.
Because there is money to be earned and life has hope, all the hard work and fatigue are worth it.
In addition to the two famous factories in Daxia, Yan Tiande also went to the market.
The market was packed with people. It was said that there were more than 10,000 stalls. The vendors included Xia people, foreigners, and customers.
After reading this, Yan Tiande finally understood where the more than one million taels of tax silver from Shaoqing Prefecture came from last year.
It has to be admitted that Shaoqing Prefecture is far superior to other prefectures in Daxia in every aspect, and it is very consistent with Du Qingtang's dream of "Garden of Eden".
Du Qingtang curled his lip imperceptibly and spoke earnestly, "Sir, I'm being frank and honest with you. I'm not trying to drag you down with me, nor am I asking you to do anything for me. I just hope you understand how difficult it is for women. When you return to the capital, please don't spread the news of your experiences in Shaoqing Prefecture."
Yan Tiande said solemnly, "If someone else had come to deliver the imperial edict, they wouldn't have kept the secret of Shaoqing Prefecture for you."
"Besides, your three-year term is about to expire, and the new prefect will inevitably be a man. He will not inherit your wishes."
Du Qingtang said calmly, "Since Your Majesty sent someone to deliver the imperial edict, why would he send someone irrelevant to Shaoqing Prefecture? You hold a higher official position than Cai Sheng, are deeply trusted by Your Majesty, and are also well acquainted with me. You are the only one who meets these requirements."
Yan Tiande: “…”
Is that why you are so confident and reckless?
He also said that he had no intention of pulling him on board. From the moment he entered the territory of Shaoqing Prefecture... no, from the moment he left Beijing, he had already boarded Du Qingtang's pirate ship.
It’s the kind of pirate ship that you can’t get off once you get on!
Yan Tiande was depressed and heartbroken because of his legitimate daughter. His spine, which had always been as straight as a pine tree, collapsed unconsciously.
"Never mind, never mind."
Yi Jie'er's regret is a foregone conclusion, and we can't let our granddaughter follow in Yi Jie'er's footsteps.
Since Du Qingtang said that she would not let him do anything for her, he would just turn a blind eye.
Anyway, His Majesty is fully aware of Du Qingtang's actions. When the truth is revealed and all the civil and military officials in the court attack him, His Majesty will stand in front of them. He can just cheer them on.
Yan Tiande sighed for a while, then said earnestly, "I still say the same thing. The world is inherently unfair. Don't rush for success. You must take your time to avoid failure at the last moment and bring disaster upon yourself."
"You..." Yan Tiande paused, "I have watched you grow up and get to where you are today. If necessary, I will lend you a helping hand."
The path chosen by Du Qingtang is destined to be bumpy and full of murderous intentions.
There were only two women serving as officials in the court, and Fu Ci was out at sea. It could be said that Du Qingtang was fighting alone, and the hardships involved could be imagined.
Yan Tiande did not want a capable minister to die, so he promised Du Qingtang that he would lend a helping hand when necessary.
To put it another way, even if it wasn't for Du Qingtang, it was for the women in the family.
To borrow Du Qingtang's words, it is easier to get things done if you have people in the court, so the more "people in the court" the better.
Du Qingtang felt relieved, finally having dragged the man aboard. Without changing his expression, he bowed and said, "Thank you, sir. I will remember your teachings, be careful with my words and actions, and reflect on myself every day."
Yan Tiande's depression inexplicably dissipated a little, and he twirled his beard and said, "I have been away from the capital for over a month, and I will be leaving for the capital tomorrow."
Du Qingtang extended an invitation: "I have arranged a banquet at the Food Fragrance Pavilion. Please follow me there."
Yan Tiande raised his eyebrows: "A belated welcoming banquet?"
Du Qingtang smiled: "It's both a welcoming banquet and a farewell banquet."
Yan Tiande drank the remaining tea in the cup, stood up and said, "Please allow me to bathe and change clothes before going to the banquet."
It is really inappropriate to attend a banquet wearing a robe soaked in tea.
Du Qingtang readily agreed.
After Yan Tiande finished changing his clothes, the two of them headed towards the Shixiang Pavilion in the brilliant sunset.
Along the way, the people saw the prefect wearing a crimson official robe and stopped to greet him.
Seeing a stranger beside the prefect, he looked at him secretly with what he thought was a covert gaze, trying to guess the other person's identity.
This man with gray hair and beard was not wearing an official robe, but he looked very imposing. It was obvious that he had an extraordinary status, but no one knew what his specific status was.
Anyway, they had lived in Shaoqing Prefecture for decades and had never seen such a noble person.
Yan Tiande did not ignore the people's gaze and sighed, "It seems that the local people really love you as the prefect."
Du Qingtang said frankly: "Whoever keeps them well fed and clothed will be the one they love and support."
Yan Tiande remained noncommittal and praised him, "You did a great job."
Not to mention those shocking actions, Du Qingtang is far better than eight or nine out of ten officials in Daxia.
Du Qingtang said humbly again, "Your Excellency is too kind. I am only doing my duty."
However, many officials cannot even do their job properly, and only know how to enrich themselves and exploit the people.
Moreover, these people are like cockroaches and rats. When you kill one batch, new ones will appear. It is impossible to kill them all.
Yan Tiande's mind was in turmoil, and his eyes fell on the energetic people.
"These public toilets and garbage stations are excellent. After returning to the capital, I will petition His Majesty to have them built along the streets of Xiajing."
"As for those who run delivery services, they can start by working in government-run shops. This way, they can solve the livelihood problems of some people, and the shops can also make a lot of money, which means they can pay more commercial taxes, which will increase the national treasury revenue. It's a great thing that kills three birds with one stone."
Along the way, Yan Tiande seemed to have opened up his chatterbox, saying that he wanted to report this to the emperor and popularize that in the capital.
Du Qingtang didn't care. She hadn't applied for a patent, so she could use it whenever she wanted.
Of course, the premise is that we should not forget to give her credit.
The two came to the Food Fragrance Pavilion, where Du Qingzhu personally received them and led them to the Tianzihao private room on the second floor.
After sitting down, Yan Tiande admired the calligraphy and paintings on the wall and asked with interest, "I remember when I first came to Shaoqing Prefecture, you said you would hold a banquet at Xiankelai. Why did you bring me to this Shixiang Pavilion today?"
Du Qingtang paused as he poured the tea, his expression unchanged as he continued, "Xiankelai is the largest restaurant in Shaoqing Prefecture and is more formal, while the owner of Shixiang Pavilion is my seventh sister."
Yan Tiande understood the hidden meaning and took a sip from the teacup. The Biluochun tea was fresh, mellow, and had a sweet aftertaste. It must be this year's new tea. "Is your sister the mayor of Deyang?"
Du Qingtang denied: "It's another one."
Yan Tiande pointed to the painting of the Four Gentlemen on the wall and asked, "Who painted this calligraphy and painting?"
Du Qingtang told the truth: "It is my seventh sister."
"Your sister's painting skills are superb. Every stroke is powerful and every word is like a pearl. It is obvious that her skills are exquisite." Yan Tiande paused, "But who was that just now?"
Du Qingtang nodded: "Exactly."
"It seems your sister is also an extraordinary woman." Yan Tiande changed the subject and asked directly, "Is she interested in serving as an official in the court?"
Du Qingtang shook his head. "Seventh Sister loves cooking. Rather than taking the imperial examination and becoming an official, she would rather open a restaurant and let everyone know her talent."
Yan Tiande laughed: "Your Du family's daughters are really a group of wonderful people."
Du Qingtang smiled and said, "I will take it as a compliment to us sisters."
While we were talking, the waiter brought the dishes.
The dishes were very rich and all cooked by Du Qingju herself.
Du Qingtang said, "I didn't know what you like to eat, so I made a few of Shixiang Pavilion's signature dishes."
"That's fine. I can eat anything." Yan Tiande's eyes fell on the two spicy dishes. "Last year, Your Majesty gifted us a lot of chili peppers. My wife and I love spicy food, but we're old now, and eating too much makes us feel hot in the stomach."
Du Qingtang agreed deeply: "To be honest, my eighth sister also doesn't allow me and my seventh sister to eat too much spicy food..."
There were only two people in the private room. Du Qingtang and Yan Tiande were both from farming families. They were in high spirits and didn't follow the rules of not talking while eating or sleeping. They just chatted casually.
The guests enjoyed the meal and were very satisfied.
Du Qingtang sent Yan Tiande back to the posthouse, and when he arrived at the government office, it was already past the end of his shift.
Walking into the third hall, Du Qingtang found Youyou squatting beside the gate of the inner house, looking at her with his round head tilted up.
“Meow meow meow!”
Du Qingtang carefully distinguished the words and didn't think they were cursing, so he squatted down, the hem of his crimson robe trailing on the ground. "What's your name?"
Youyou stretched out his claws and scratched the corner of the robe of the third shit shoveler, and the sound was sticky: "Meow~"
Du Qingtang raised his eyebrows slightly. He was still fierce the day before yesterday. Could it be that while forgiving Du Qingju, he also forgave her at the same time?
"good."
Du Qingtang rubbed her pointed ears, picked up the little raccoon, and walked inside with her in his arms: "I'm on duty, and your seventh sister is doing business. She doesn't have time to accompany you during the day."
"Meow~"
"There's no point in yelling." Shit scooper number three acted heartless. "If I don't work, you'll be left with nothing."
“Meow meow meow!”
Du Qingtang put the naughty kitten into her cat bed and went to the bedroom to change clothes.
When he came out again, Du Qingzhu was squatting in front of the cat's bed and petting the cat, making the little tabby cat meow loudly.
"Seventh Sister."
Du Qingzhu raised his head from the little cat's belly, frowning and mumbling, "How could you take that gentleman to the Food Fragrance Pavilion without even saying hello? I was nearly scared to death at the time, my heart almost jumped out of my throat."
Du Qingtang sat on a small wooden stool next to the cat's nest and told Du Qingzhu about his confrontation with Yan Tiande the day before yesterday and how he "turned hostility into friendship" today and successfully dragged the other party into the pirate ship.
Du Qingzhu's eyes were wide open and his mouth was wide enough to fit two eggs.
Du Qingtang closed her jaw manually: "Be careful of dislocation."
Du Qingzhu smacked his lips, his face full of disbelief: "So we have a clear path?"
Du Qingtang shook his head: "Not really, it's just an extra layer of security."
If that day really comes, she will not be isolated and helpless in the court with no one behind her.
Du Qingzhu pinched the little lihua's paw pad, and was tickled lightly. He sighed and said, "Xianyu, I'm not saying you're walking on a tightrope right now. If you're not careful, you might fall..."
Du Qingtang pinched her mouth and said, "Can't you just hope for me to be better?"
Du Qingzhu was pinched into a duck's mouth by the youngest brother, and could only make breathless sounds and rub his hands to beg for mercy.
Du Qingtang let go of her hand, and Du Qingzhu immediately put down Little Lihua and hugged the youngest's hand to prevent her from hitting him again. "I was wrong, I was wrong. Look at my broken mouth, and punish me..."
Du Qingtang: "You are not allowed to eat cakes or spicy food for ten days."
Du Qingzhu: “???”
Du Qingzhu said weakly, "Isn't that a bit too harsh?"
Du Qingtang gave Du Qingzhu a look, and he immediately changed his tone: "Not cruel! Not cruel at all!"
"Meow~"
The cat's meow sounded a bit strange at first. Du Qingtang looked in the direction of the sound and saw Youyou lying in the cat's bed, looking at them with its round cat eyes, as if it was watching the fun.
Du Qingtang: “…”
Du Qingzhu: “…”
"Well, even you are laughing at my joke!" Du Qingzhu snorted as he picked up the little cat and took a deep breath, his breath unclear. "The disobedient little kitty will be kissed to death, hehehe!"
"Meow!"
Youyou screamed.
Du Qingtang crossed his arms and decided to watch from the sidelines, letting the little Lihua experience the dangers of the world.
-
The next day, Yan Tiande and the imperial guards left Shaoqing Prefecture.
Du Qingtang's life did not change at all because of Yan Tiande's coming and going. He handled official business as usual and occasionally went to court to try cases. His life was busy and fulfilling.
On the other side, Xia Jing.
The tax silver from Shaoqing Prefecture finally arrived in Xiajing after forty-two days of transportation under the escort of the prefectural soldiers.
The wooden boxes loaded with tax silver were carefully inspected by the imperial guards and then sent directly to the left treasury of the Ministry of Revenue.
The clerk in charge of counting the local tax silver from the left treasury was almost breaking his hands when he finally finished counting the tax silver from Shaoqing Prefecture. At the end, his lips trembled and his hands shook, he said, "Two, two million four hundred and thirty thousand taels are confirmed to be correct. You can carry it in."
An official happened to be passing by the Zuozangku and scratched his ear when he heard this: "How much? Two hundred and forty-three taels?"
The clerk: "...missing ten thousand words."
Official: “!!!”
In recent days, local tax revenue has been delivered to Beijing one after another.
It happened that Du Qingtang was conferred the title of Earl. Regardless of the reasons, all the civil and military officials in the court were paying attention to the taxation of Shaoqing Prefecture.
That afternoon, after the officials finished their work, they sat together and chatted while their superiors were away.
"Hey, how much tax silver do you think Shaoqing Prefecture can pay this year?"
"Last year it was over one million taels, and this year it's probably about the same."
"That's not necessarily true. Last year, there was a war in Shaoqing Prefecture, and many people must have died. The people had no interest in doing business, so commercial taxes naturally dropped."
"Master Zhang is absolutely right. At most, he'll die in a few dozen..."
Before he could finish his words, an official rushed in, shouting, "The tax silver from Shaoqing Prefecture has arrived! Two million four hundred and thirty thousand taels!"
Everyone was stunned for a moment, and then like a drop of cold water falling into a pan of hot oil, the duty room instantly exploded.
"How much? How much do you say?"
He was so shocked that his voice broke.
The man repeated, "Two million four hundred and thirty thousand taels!"
“Gudong——”
There were swallowing sounds coming one after another.
"My God, that's more than the ages of my entire family combined."
"Du Qingtang is too crazy. Is she still human?"
"Could there be another one or two million taels mixed in with this?"
The visitor was stunned for a moment and shook his head: "I'm not sure about this. I also heard it from an official from the Ministry of Industry."
Everyone looked at each other.
"Walk?"
"Walk!"
This news was like a hurricane. Within the time it took to stick an incense stick, all the officials from various departments put down their official duties and gathered at the gate of the Zuozangku.
The tax silver was carried into the left treasury box after box. In addition to the white silver, there was also golden gold and neatly arranged silver bills.
"I have lived for fifty-nine years and have never seen so much silver."
"Hiss—it's so bright that it hurts my eyes."
"Speaking of which, this number should be the largest among the 140 prefectures, right?"
Everyone looked at the clerk in the left treasury.
Next to the clerk, Minister Qi was grinning from ear to ear: "Two million, four hundred and thirty thousand taels is the most among the one hundred and forty prefectures. The second place is a full three hundred thousand taels less than Shaoqing Prefecture. Moreover, this is the most tax revenue paid by a local government in the past ten years."
Everyone gasped, feeling mixed emotions.
"Look at how proud he is. If you don't know, you would think all the money went into his pocket."
"Mr. Wen'an has always been on good terms with Lord Qi. This record-breaking tax revenue has filled the treasury again, and Lord Qi is naturally pleased."
"Shaoqing Prefecture was plagued by banditry, with refugees everywhere and countless problems. Yet, in just over two years, it has become the prefecture that pays the most taxes. I'm really curious how that woman, Du Qingtang, managed to do it."
"It's just a matter of increasing the population, reclaiming wasteland, and adding garment factories, dried fruit factories, and trading houses. Tax revenue will naturally increase."
"It will be three years since Wen Anbo has been in Shaoqing Prefecture. When she returns to the capital to report on her work, she will definitely not be serving in a local position again. I wonder what arrangements Your Majesty will make for her."
"Don't overthink it. You all have been working diligently. His Majesty can't dismiss us and ask us to make room for her."
The crowd watched the excitement for a while, then thought about the official business at hand and dispersed one after another.
News about Shaoqing Prefecture reached the inner court. The Grand Secretary of Wenhua Palace strolled over to Cao Yuan and said, "I don't know what Your Majesty is thinking. It's fine that he made an exception and allowed Du Qingtang to serve as an official, but he actually conferred her the title of Earl of Wen'an on her."
"This time, the local tax silver came to the capital, and the more than two million taels from Shaoqing Prefecture caused panic among the people in various departments and agencies, and they could not live in peace."
"In my opinion, Du Qingtang is a troublemaker. When he returns to Beijing to report on his work in a few days, I'm afraid he will stir up trouble again..."
Cao Yuan took a sip of tea slowly, turning a deaf ear to the endless complaints of the Grand Secretary of Wenhua Palace.
The Grand Secretary of Wenhua Palace got no response, and he was extremely upset. He simply said bluntly: "Sir, are you going to let that woman Du Qingtang disrupt the government and destabilize the country?"
Cao Yuan raised his eyes and said, "Du Qingtang has made great contributions to the country and the people. How can he be said to have disrupted the government and shaken the country?"
The Grand Secretary of Wenhua Palace said: "...I simply feel that this woman is cunning and ruthless, and I'm afraid she might be detrimental to you, my Lord."
Du Qingtang's return to Beijing from Shaoqing Prefecture will surely be a great help to Emperor Qingyuan.
During these three years, the Cao Party has been repeatedly suppressed by Emperor Qingyuan. Now there are not many of them left, and everyone is struggling.
Not to mention anything else, among the six grand secretaries in the cabinet, only he and the Grand Secretary of Dongke are left, two of Cao's party members.
Moreover, the two of them were gradually marginalized, and many political affairs were handled by four other people, and they had no control at all.
The Grand Secretary of Wenhua Palace was extremely anxious. He also saw that the Prime Minister seemed to have accepted his fate and had become more and more low-key since returning the tiger talismans of the Three Thousand Battalions and the Five Military Camps. He was so worried that he couldn't eat or sleep well.
He wanted to switch sides, but was worried that Emperor Qingyuan would be concerned about his status and would not want to use him. In the end, he lost both his wife and his army, and ended up getting the better of both sides.
After much deliberation, I decided to keep the status quo.
Emperor Qingyuan is very old, and the person most likely to sit on that throne is still the Fourth Prince, and then he can still strive for the merit of following the emperor.
However, the imperial power was growing stronger and stronger, and as a member of Cao's party, we should have taken measures to curb it as soon as possible.
Cao Yuan was well aware of the concerns of the Grand Secretary of Wenhua Palace, so he asked him, "How do you think I should respond?"
The Grand Secretary of Wenhua Palace was delighted and said hurriedly: "Du Qingtang is a woman. No matter how powerful she is, she still has to get married and have children."
"Why don't we take the initiative and have His Highness the Fourth Prince take her as his concubine? That way, His Highness will be even more powerful, and she can offer her advice to His Highness without reservation."
If this person was not still of some use, Cao Yuan really wanted to smash the document in his face.
What if he hadn't thought about it?
Not only did he think about it, he also mentioned it to Xia Ming.
As a result, Xia Ming would rather kill Du Qingtang than let her become the fifth prince's concubine.
A vein on Cao Yuan's forehead throbbed. "The prince needs His Majesty to issue an imperial decree to grant marriages, and His Majesty will not agree to it."
The Grand Secretary of Wenhua Palace hissed, "That's a problem... but there's a solution."
Cao Yuan raised his eyebrows: "What do you mean?"
The Grand Secretary of Wenhua Palace chuckled, revealing his vulgarity: "To arrange a marriage, one simply has to promise huge profits or have leverage over the other."
"Who is the most noble woman in the world? It's the Queen!"
"A woman like Du Qingtang is extremely ambitious. If you grant her the title of Queen, she will surely offer advice and fight for Your Highness."
Cao Yuan frowned: "The Fourth Prince already has a wife."
Moreover, his wife is the granddaughter of the Grand Secretary of the Dongke Academy. She is virtuous and cannot be divorced.
The Grand Secretary of Wenhua Palace certainly knew this. He was once so jealous of the marriage between the Grand Secretary of Dongke and the prince that he wanted to let his own granddaughter take his place.
"Once Your Highness ascends the throne, Du Qingtang will have lost her value. Just grant her a concubine or a consort, and send someone to watch her 24/7. I don't think she will be able to stir up any trouble."
"As for evidence, no one is perfect, especially a woman like Du Qingtang who will do anything to achieve her goals. To climb the ladder, she's bound to do many things that violate the law."
"Your Excellency, please send people to Du Qingtang's hometown and Shaoqing Prefecture. As long as we can find any clues, it will become a handle for us to control her."
"Either die or serve His Highness."
"And Du Qingtang has to ask His Majesty for permission to marry him. If His Majesty agrees, it will be a great story. If His Majesty gets angry and executes Du Qingtang, it will be like cutting off one's own arm."
Cao Yuan pondered: "What if both paths don't work?"
He still remembers that when he promised Du Qingtang the position of second assistant, Du Qingtang was not moved at all.
Having tasted the power, how could one be willing to be trapped in the harem, longing for a man's favor every day?
But you can try the second method.
He was very curious about how Du Qingtang had created the miracle of repelling 160,000 Qi troops with only 80,000 defenders and collecting more than 2 million taels of tax revenue.
The Grand Secretary of Wenhua Palace snorted and laughed: "This is easy. If both ways don't work, then we'll find another way. We'll try to make sure everyone sees His Highness and Du Qingtang in the same room!"
Starving to death is a small matter, but losing one's chastity is a big matter.
A woman's chastity is more important than her life. Du Qingtang is also a woman and is no exception.
.......
"The position of Queen? I wouldn't give it to her even if I gave it to a dog!"
After finishing his shift in the evening, Cao Yuan went to the Fourth Prince's residence and told him about the bad idea of the Grand Secretary of Wenhua Palace.
The Fourth Prince immediately sneered and made sarcastic remarks.
Cao Yuan was about to persuade him when he heard the Fourth Prince change the subject: "But we can give it a try."
"Du Qingtang caused me to lose both the Ministry of Revenue and the Runing Prefecture's purse strings. If not for this, why would I have taken the risk of sending my cousin to intercept the disaster relief silver and grain?"
In the end, not only did he cause his cousin to die tragically, but he himself was sent by his father to guard the imperial mausoleum, where he suffered untold hardships.
"After I have squeezed out all her worth, I will send her to the underworld to make amends to my cousin!"
Cao Yuan's expression softened slightly. "Then I will send people to Shaoqing Prefecture and Baoding Prefecture today."
The Fourth Prince nodded, and caught a glimpse of the Fifth Prince who lowered his head and said nothing. Thinking of how the Fifth Prince had intended to take Du Qingtang as his concubine a few years ago, his heart moved, and he swallowed the words of comfort that were on the tip of his tongue.
He had no choice but to do it for the greater good, and Lao Wu should understand how difficult it was for him.
What's more, Du Qingtang has no substantial relationship with the fifth brother. Apart from his grandfather and the emperor, no other person knows that the fifth brother had asked the emperor for permission to grant the marriage. In this way, it is not considered as stealing his brother's woman.
Thinking of this, the Fourth Prince felt at ease again and patted the Fifth Prince on the shoulder: "Yesterday, my men presented me with two skinny horses from Jiangnan. I haven't touched them yet. You can take them back."
The fifth prince leaned back in his armchair, smiling carelessly and with a carefree look on his face. "Thank you very much, fourth brother."
The Fourth Prince looked at the Fifth Prince intently, making sure he really didn't care, and then he smiled: "You and I are brothers, no need to thank me."
The fifth prince had a meal at the fourth prince's house and returned home with two skinny horses.
As he sat in the carriage, the fifth prince's eyes suddenly darkened and became full of hostility.
The skinny horses knelt in the corner of the carriage like two quails, shaking like sieves and not daring to breathe.
The carriage rumbled and arrived back at the Fifth Prince's Mansion in just a cup of tea.
The fifth prince walked into the palace with big strides, his face gloomy.
The butler came forward, but before he could greet him, he heard his master order, "Send it to feed Jinbao."
The butler looked at the charming woman beside the carriage, his eyes filled with inorganic indifference: "Yes."
......
Imperial Palace, Imperial Study.
The man in black knelt down and spoke in a calm tone, "A quarter of an hour ago, Duke Cheng'en's Mansion sent two groups of people to Baoding Prefecture and Shaoqing Prefecture respectively."
Behind the imperial desk, Emperor Qingyuan was looking through Wu Yi's confession. Hearing this, he nodded nonchalantly.
Fu Rui took a peek and asked tentatively, "Your Majesty, do you want to send someone to intercept?"
He knew exactly what Lord Du had done in Shaoqing Prefecture.
If Cao Yuan got the news and reported it to the court, I'm afraid all the civil and military officials in the court would be in an uproar.
Emperor Qingyuan shook his head: "No need."
How should one choose between the mother of a country and the minister who assists the king?
My dear Du, please don't let me down.
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