Chapter 220: Asking for Money (Part 2) Asking for Money
As soon as Su Lanzhang came back, the whole Yuexi Village became lively. Now, not only Yuexi Village, but also the whole Hushan County, everyone knows Su Fengzhang's name.
Su Fengzhang has not been able to return home since he went to Beijing to take the imperial examination, so many people have not been able to establish a relationship with the Su family. Now that Su Fengzhang's younger brother has returned, it is natural to visit and contact him.
Su Fengzhang entrusted Su Lanzhang to bring back quite a few gifts. They were not only for Uncle Su's family, but also for the close families in the village, including Mr. Wen's family. If the county magistrate had not moved to another place, there would probably be some too.
Su Lanzhang took her brother's instructions very seriously. The next day, she quickly packed up her things and personally took people to visit each family to give gifts.
However, he was too impatient to entertain those who came to visit him one after another. After all, he was returning to his hometown to take the imperial examination, not to build relationships with them.
At this time, Aunt Bai stood up. Although she was timid at first, in order to prevent them from disturbing her son's studies, Aunt Bai mustered up the greatest courage in her life to entertain them.
Gradually, she found that this was not a difficult thing. The people who came were all dressed in gold and silver and looked rich, but they were all polite in front of her, and they did not look down on her for being born a concubine.
Aunt Bai was not stupid, so she naturally knew why they were so polite. She had been helping Su Zhao with household chores for many years, and she also knew what to do when entertaining guests, what gifts to accept, and what gifts absolutely should not be accepted.
After a period of time, Aunt Bai managed everything in an orderly manner, which made Uncle Su, who had been worried, feel a little relieved. After all, she was his brother's sister-in-law, and a concubine at that. Uncle Su had some concerns in his heart and did not visit her very often.
Zhang was a little worried, but since she was being scolded by her Second Uncle Su every other day, she didn't dare to do it too obviously. Over the years, Zhang had been a little afraid of her own man.
One day, after sending the man away, Aunt Bai fell silent. Su Lanzhang came out and saw her like this, and asked curiously, "Aunt, what's wrong with you? Did that man say something unpleasant?"
Aunt Bai shook her head and said, "How dare they say anything unpleasant? They just want to throw all the nice words at me."
Su Lanzhang picked up a piece of fruit served to the guests and took a bite. After savoring the flavor, he asked, "What's wrong with that?"
Aunt Bai laughed and said, "It's just that they praise me too much. Aunt Bai is afraid that after a long time, I won't know how much I weigh anymore."
After more than 30 years of life, this was the first time that Aunt Bai knew that she was praised so much. She was praised in all kinds of ways. She was really an eye-opener.
It's no wonder she found it novel. Su Zhaoshi would usually bring her to entertain guests, but with Su Zhaoshi around, even if the guests were stupid, they wouldn't praise a concubine in front of the main wife.
Upon hearing this, Su Lanzhang laughed heartily and said, "Auntie, you'll have to get used to it sooner rather than later. When I enter the imperial court as an official, you'll also be able to become a royal consort. By then, there will surely be even more people praising you."
Aunt Bai also laughed when she heard this. She glared at him and said, "Okay, then I'll wait for that day."
The two of them were being affectionate at the moment, and Aunt Bai missed her daughter a little. This was the first time she had been away from her daughter for such a long time since her children were born, and she missed her very much in her heart: "I wonder what your sister is doing now?"
Su Lanzhang said, "Huihui might be very happy when I'm not here."
Su Huihui, who was far away in Beijing, was also thinking about her mother and brother. She was indeed very happy that Su Lanzhang was not around, mainly because when he was around, the teacher liked to provoke her and make her angry.
But after all, they are my biological children. Even if they are annoying when they are around, I will still miss them very much when they are gone.
Not only Su Huihui thought so, even Su Zhaoshi couldn't help but say: "I didn't feel it when Sanlang was here, but the house became much quieter after he left. Alas, our family just has fewer children."
Su Huihui laughed, took Su Zhaoshi's hand and said, "Mom, we still have Aneng at home."
Su Zhaoshi sighed and said, "Aneng shouldn't study during the day. Once he leaves, it will be just the two of us at home, peaceful and quiet without even a sound."
Su Huihui smiled and asked, "Mother, it's not difficult for you to hear what's going on. Why don't I ask the maids to come in and sing some songs, or we can play mahjong together."
Su Zhao tapped his forehead and said with a smile, "You only know how to speak up for your second brother. Erlang is really something. He's been so busy these past few days that he almost didn't even go home, afraid that I would force him to get married."
"Mom, my second brother is really busy. He is doing something big." Su Huihui said with a smile.
Su Zhao sighed and said, "It's not that I don't understand, mother, but you have to take this important matter of life to heart. He's so good, but he makes me look like a big villain, thinking about marrying him a female demon every day."
Su Fengzhang didn't really want to avoid his mother, but he really had something to do. He was very busy during this period. Not to mention the major events in his life, he even wanted to save every minute for eating, drinking, defecating and urinating.
Minister Xu had no idea what he was thinking, but he gradually handed over the affairs of the Ministry of Revenue to Su Fengzhang. Now, Lord Ding, the Left Vice Minister, seemed to have found a Right Vice Minister to assist him.
Su Fengzhang didn't know whether Lord Ding was willing or not, but he had to seize the opportunity to take control of the Ministry of Revenue to pave the way for future plans. Since Minister Xu was willing to give it, he had to accept it even if it cost him his life.
Not only are the affairs of the Ministry of Revenue complicated and messy, they also involve the entire court. Everyone thinks that the Ministry of Revenue is the purse of the Great Zhou and the place with the most oil and water, but it is also the place with the most trouble.
Even though the Xu family has been running the Ministry of Revenue for so many years and usually seems to have the final say, this is where the situation in the Great Zhou is most complicated. Money can move people's hearts, and everyone has selfish desires.
Su Fengzhang is not afraid of this. It is a good thing for people to have shortcomings. It is because of this that they can be defeated one by one.
He was able to quickly take control of the Ministry of Revenue not only because of Minister Xu's generosity on the surface, but also because of his ability to get along with people and recruit people in private, and he also had the support of Prince Cheng and others behind him.
The personnel relations were fine, Su Fengzhang didn't like them but could manage them, but there was one thing in the Ministry of Revenue that gave him a headache.
That was the still empty national treasury. Back then, for the issue of pensions, they had pushed the Fourth Prince and the Crown Prince into a confrontation, offending many dignitaries, and only then did they get the silver back.
But all the silver collected at that time had been used up, and the national treasury is still empty today.
When Su Fengzhang looked through the account books, he felt helpless about the emperor's generosity and extravagance. Not only the emperor, but the entire royal family was in a state of not making ends meet.
If he were in power now, what Su Fengzhang would want to do is cut back on the royal family, or even directly cut this part of the expenditure, but he absolutely cannot do that now. He cannot offend all the royal family members before everything is settled.
If we can't reduce expenditure, we can only increase it. Su Fengzhang flipped through the account book, and several years flashed through his mind.
At this moment, a servant came in and reported: "Master Su, Prince Xi is here."
Su Fengzhang felt a headache when he heard the name. He frowned and said, "Okay, let him in."
Prince He Jun of Xi County walked briskly, leaving his subordinates behind. As soon as he entered the door, he poured himself a cup of tea and said, "Master Su, your tea is still delicious."
Su Fengzhang looked up at him helplessly: "Prince Xi, you are a newlywed and you are not at home with your bride. Why are you drinking cold tea with me?"
Prince Xi leaned back in his chair with a smile and asked, "Master Su, please stop beating around the bush with me."
"Master Su, this idea was thought up by you. This time before the New Year is a time of transition, so it's a great opportunity for us to win people over. We can't miss it, right?"
Su Fengzhang looked up at him and asked, "Does Prince Xi know that the national treasury is extremely poor right now?"
Prince Xi said confidently, "I know, that's why I came to see you."
Su Fengzhang slapped his hand away in anger and cursed, "Didn't I give you some silver earlier? Where's the money? Did you eat it, Prince Xi? Do you think I'm the one who opened the national treasury and can spend as much as I want?"
Prince Xi touched his nose and said helplessly, "It's not that I'm too busy, it's just that there are too many places to spend money."
Prince Xi pinched the neck of Su Fengzhang, the owner of the building who was playing rogue, and said, "Master Su, this is the method you gave me. You can't just leave it alone."
"Look, just because of your words, I almost broke my legs. Those retired soldiers are in danger every day. I can't just stand by and do nothing."
"Master Su, please think of another way. We can't just give up halfway through, right?"
Su Fengzhang couldn't help but elbow him, pushing him away a little before saying, "Yes, the idea was mine, but the final benefits are all yours. I gained neither fame nor profit, so why should I help you clean up the mess?"
Prince Xi was shameless and continued to push him, saying, "Then please have pity on me. I left my new wife alone just to help you. How about this, if you really don't have enough money, I can use Hejing's dowry to make up for it, what do you think..."
Su Fengzhang was almost pissed off and laughed. He glared at him and said helplessly, "Okay, okay, come back in three days to get the silver, but this is the last time. If you spend it all at once again, don't expect me to help you find a solution."
Prince Xi immediately became cheerful, "Lord Su, I knew you had a way."
After saying this, Prince Xi lowered his voice and said, "Please tell the Gu family a message. They are helping us in our time of need. The prince and I will remember their kindness. Go ahead with the imperial merchant business. We will take care of you."
After he left, Su Fengzhang sighed helplessly. This was the method he had thought of, but he didn't expect that it would be difficult to control from the beginning. Prince Xi recruited more and more people, and the money spent also increased exponentially. However, from a long-term perspective, if it could continue, it would be a very good thing for them.
Because of this, although Su Fengzhang had resentment in his heart, he had to find a way to fill this gap.
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