Chapter 107 Shen Qingtan's Advice
After leaving Duke Zhao's Mansion, Liu Ruojiao hurried back to the Mansion of Marquis Yongyi and went straight to find Marquis Yongyi and his wife.
"Daddy, Mommy!" Liu Ruojiao stepped into the main room and said happily, "I have good news to tell you."
Earl Yongyi and his wife looked gloomy and miserable, with no interest at all.
The Marquis Cheng'en Mansion was unreliable, so they went to look for the connections left by their late uncle today. They sat on the bench in the other party's mansion for most of the day and didn't even see anyone.
Liu Ruojiao dismissed the maidservant, carefully closed the door, and said with a cheerful face, "My daughter went to the Duke of Zhao's mansion today and heard the news that the Imperial Censor of Lianghuai Salt Inspection has been investigated, and the Emperor has not yet appointed anyone to fill this vacant position."
Earl Yongyi and his wife sighed, they dared not even think about such a lucrative job.
"Everyone in the capital has witnessed how the Emperor dotes on my eldest cousin's husband. I've set my sights on this vacant position and have been visiting my eldest cousin's husband and my eldest cousin at the Duke's Mansion these past two days, hoping that my eldest cousin's husband can recommend them to the Emperor."
Liu Ruojiao's eyes showed longing: "It turns out that my cousin takes good care of our family. If we ask her for help, should we be able to find this job for Dad?"
Earl Yongyi and his wife looked at each other, and their minds suddenly became active.
When I really felt sleepy, someone handed me a pillow.
Why didn't they think of this relationship?
The wife of the Earl of Yongyi realized a problem: "If we offend Tan'er, will she still help us?"
Yong Yibo disagreed and said, "She has always been kind and generous. She won't bother with us."
Lady Yongyi calmed down and decided to test Shen Qingtan's attitude.
“Knock knock!”
At this time, the maid knocked on the door and said outside, "Master, the Marquis of Cheng'en is here to visit you."
Earl Yongyi asked in surprise, "Marquis Cheng'en is coming to our mansion?"
The maid replied, "That's what the concierge said."
Earl Yongyi said quickly, "Go and invite the Marquis to the study in the front yard."
The maid replied, "Yes."
The Earl of Yongyi then said to his wife, "Although we want to seek a higher position, we have done a lot for the Marquis' Mansion before, and they have some leverage over us. We can't just tear each other apart right away, so we still have to go and meet them."
The wife of the Marquis of Yongyi looked displeased: "If the Marquis of Cheng'en asks you to do something for him again, you must not agree to it."
Uncle Yongyi agreed and went to the study in the front yard.
He sat on a short couch and asked the servant to make a pot of hot tea and serve it to him. Marquis Cheng'en arrived just in time.
Bo Yongyi sat still and said, "Brother-in-law, your visit to my humble home today truly brightens it up."
Marquis Cheng'en heard the sarcasm in Earl Yongyi's words, but did not take it to heart.
He lifted the hem of his robe and sat opposite Earl Yongyi: "Brother, you are in the officialdom yourself, you should understand how difficult it is for me."
Uncle Yongyi didn't say anything and just took a sip of hot tea.
"Your Yongyi Marquis' Mansion has offended the Princess. Our Marquis' Mansion must first protect itself and not be dragged into this trouble by you. Only then can we find a way to rescue you."
Marquis Cheng'en acted as if Earl Yongyi didn't understand his earnest intentions and said helplessly, "If we don't sever our ties, and the princess punishes you and takes her anger out on our mansion, both our families will be doomed!"
Earl Yongyi glanced at Marquis Cheng'en across the teacup, wondering in his heart what Marquis Cheng'en's purpose was.
"You're my brother-in-law. I can't just ignore you." Marquis Cheng'en said straight to the point, "The famine in Guanzhou hasn't been resolved yet, and refugees have already fled to the capital. This matter will soon ferment, and the emperor will definitely pay attention to it."
Yong Yibo put down his teacup and asked, "Are you going to take the initiative to deal with the refugees?"
Marquis Cheng'en shook his head and told his plan.
"Food is in short supply everywhere right now. Fortunately, the disaster has eased in many areas, and only Guanzhou is still experiencing a famine. Grain merchants are selling food to the people of Guanzhou at four times the usual price."
"I know a grain official in Guanzhou. In the past, he was responsible for collecting and transporting grain for the imperial court. He would also take the opportunity to hoard some grain for himself."
"I'll have him sell it to you at a 10% discount from the normal price. After you buy this batch of grain, you can sell it to the people at the normal price, and you can make a profit from the 10% difference."
"When the Emperor notices the disaster in Guanzhou and sends someone to investigate, he'll discover that you used this batch of grain to alleviate the disaster. Then I'll ask my colleagues to submit a memorial pleading for your merit, and perhaps you'll get a chance to be promoted."
Marquis Cheng'en finished speaking in one breath, then observed Earl Yongyi's expression. Seeing that his expression had relaxed a little, he knew that the fish was about to take the bait.
"I'm giving you this opportunity to show your merit because you're my wife's brother. Please consider it carefully." Marquis Cheng'en stood up and gave a final, drastic measure: "This matter is urgent. Give me an answer before nightfall. You don't have to worry about my face by accepting this mission. If you don't want to go to Guanzhou because it's too troublesome, I can arrange for someone else to go."
"Wait!" Earl Yongyi stopped Marquis Cheng'en and asked, "The grain chief has grain, why doesn't he sell it himself?"
"He does want to, but he'd have to be brave enough. If he were to be exposed for abusing his position for personal gain, his property would be confiscated and his head would be cut off!"
Seeing that Earl Yongyi was skeptical, Marquis Cheng'en explained, "He and I are sworn brothers. He only trusts me, but I trust you most. If I hadn't wanted you to achieve merit, I wouldn't have persuaded the grain chief to risk his life by selling grain to you."
Yong Yibo's worries were dispelled, and he rubbed his hands and asked, "How much grain does the grain chief have?"
Marquis Cheng'en gestured with a number: "You can earn this much silver."
Yong Yibo was instantly obsessed with money and agreed to the job: "I will leave for Guanzhou early tomorrow morning."
Marquis Cheng'en took out a letter and gave it to him: "Take this letter of recommendation to the grain chief. He will only sell grain to you after reading my handwritten letter."
Earl Yongyi accepted the letter and completely forgot the promise he made to his wife.
——
On the second day, Shen Qingtan was waiting for people from the Yongyi Marquis' Mansion at the Duke of Zhao's Mansion, but he waited for a whole day but no one came from the Marquis' Mansion.
It was not until after taking a bath in the evening and preparing to rest with Zhao Yi that Liu Yue brought the news.
"Second Madam, Earl Yongyi secretly left the capital for Guanzhou early this morning."
Shen Qingtan frowned slightly. Earl Yongyi didn't come to see her, but instead went to Guanzhou at this critical moment...
It was probably because Marquis Cheng'en promised him generous benefits that persuaded Earl Yongyi to continue working for him.
This time, Marquis Cheng'en really wanted Earl Yongyi to die.
"Guanzhou?" Zhao Yi, who was standing by, heard these two words and looked up at Shen Qingtan: "Are you following this?"
"I had previously instigated Zhao Jue to investigate the Cheng'en Marquis Mansion, so I took advantage of the situation and arranged for someone to investigate the Cheng'en Marquis Mansion as well. They actually found out some things for me."
After Shen Qingtan explained the situation in Guanzhou to Zhao Yi in detail, he immediately came up with a plan: "Those officials, relying on the emperor's compassion for the poor, will issue an edict to exempt the people from borrowing grain. Then, they will embezzle this batch of disaster relief grain and sell it to grain merchants at a high price, without distributing any grain to the people at all."
A cunning glint flashed in her eyes. "Why don't you give the emperor a suggestion? To prevent officials from embezzling disaster relief grain, during the wheat harvest in May, if the people cannot repay the borrowed grain, the officials in charge will try to make up for it, but not less than the amount borrowed."
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