Seeing that Hu Zigao had paid a price of thirty-five thousand taels of silver, Xu Jue knew that he had to give him some benefits.
Otherwise, if you spend tens of thousands of taels of silver and not even have a blister, no one will be happy.
On the occasion of Empress Dowager Li's birthday, she must not make any trouble.
"Master Hu spent a lot of money, so be it, I come from the capital with the money appropriated from the palace"
"No, no, no, no, Master Xu, you are slapping me in the face, Those are the hard work of Eunuch Feng and your Excellency, how can you give them to me?”
Xu Jue opened his mouth to test again, wanting to see Hu Zigao's reaction, but he didn't want him to shake his head immediately.
After looking at Hu Zigao, he saw that everyone was sensible and took his money. Xu Jue smiled and said, "In this case, I will definitely report it to Eunuch Feng when I return to the capital."
" Then I have Mr. Xu’s kind words.”
Hu Zigao said hurriedly.
“I heard that you spent a lot of money in order to reinstate yourself, so you still took the other side of the road. Please ask Gao Gong to help you solve the trouble?”
In one night, Dongchang had investigated all of Hu Zigao's past from Nanjing Jinyiwei.
I only know that this person was trying to show off his position as a capital official in front of the county magistrate and offended someone. I really don’t know how he was impeached and how he was reinstated.
Now I know that when I was observing mourning at home, this old boy not only ate, drank and had fun with his friends and family members, he even secretly took a concubine.
Of course it is not easy for others to know this kind of thing, but the local officials are very knowledgeable.
So he held it back until he was about to be reinstated and revealed the matter, which almost ended his career.
The Ming Dynasty ruled the world with filial piety, so his behavior was certainly intolerable.
Fortunately, after the incident, he decisively took ten thousand taels of silver to Xia Fang and asked him to have a relationship.
At that time, Gao Gong was in a period of overwhelming power. Gao Gong hinted that this matter was naturally downplayed. Although his official career was retained, he was assigned to serve in Qingshui Yamen.
In fact, there were really few simple officials in the Ming Dynasty.
Gao Gong was reinstated through Shao Daxia's help activities, and he also helped Ning Fang solve some problems, and accordingly benefited from Ning Fang. It can be said that Ning Fang has almost become Gao Gong's white glove.
Gao Gong is not greedy for money, because someone helps him do these things, he only needs to make some hints to someone or something.
And speaking of it, whether it is Gao Gong, Zhang Juzheng, or other officials, most of them use this to make money and are not easily caught.
On the other hand, Wei Guangde was reselling ginseng, which was criticized in Shilin, the capital.
But after all, this matter is not a clue.
The ginseng is in his house, so just don’t buy it. After all, it is said to extend your life, and he bought it with real money.
In addition, when a high-ranking official in the court left Beijing, Wei Guangde would definitely give him a high-quality ginseng, which was considered a sign of affection and righteousness, so the scholars criticized him, but no one in the official circles said anything.
To be honest, it is much cleaner than Gao Gong and Zhang Juzheng.
But when Xu Jue's words fell into Hu Zigao's ears, he was heartbroken.
What is the relationship between Gao Gong and Feng Bao? He is very clear about it in the officialdom.
Don’t think that this is Nanjing and there is no news about Beijing at all.
There are even rumors in Nanjing that Gao Gong's dismissal was the result of the joint operation of Feng Bao and Zhang Juzheng, otherwise Gao Gong would not have been expelled from the court so easily.
With an internal minister and an external minister, what else did Hu Zigao dare to say.
"Master Xu, I am unjustly accused. Please believe that I am definitely not a high-minded person. I just asked for peace and love for a trivial matter.
Apart from that, he has no connection with Gao Gong at all.
In fact, Xiaguan admires Eunuch Feng and has long wanted to visit him, but he has never been able to meet him. "
Hu Zigao hurriedly defended.
“Oh, is that so?”
Xu Jue mentioned this matter to let Hu Zigao know that he did not know him poorly.
He is a factory guard. There are very few things in this world that are not known to the factory guard.
"Speaking of which, Mr. Hu is also blessed with good fortune. After being named on the gold list, he was given all the good positions. He stayed in the system for three years. Although he was beaten, there were no near misses and he was still promoted to the sixth rank.
Speaking of which, you probably gave Gao Gong a lot of money, but he didn't treat you as one of his own.
It’s a trivial matter, just raise your hand and it’ll be fine, but you just changed your position as a judge of the Salt Transportation Department to the director of the Ministry of Industry, haha.”
Xu Jue said with a smile. .
"Yes, yes, your Excellency is right. Firstly, I am not a disciple of Gao Gong, and secondly, I don't have any friendship, so why would he bother about me."
When I first went down to the official position, I just thought that having money would make the world go round, so that’s why I did it.
Speaking of which, Danyang Zifang was a capable man. At that time, many people asked him to solve official affairs, otherwise I would find him there. "
Hu Zigao said with a smile.
"Money can make all the difference. This is a good saying. There is really nothing in this world that money cannot solve, hahaha."
Xu Jue laughed heartily, not knowing Is it because of the tens of thousands of taels of silver that I am very happy at this time?
These officials have worked hard to get money, but they are not as good as a superior person like him who can just talk about the money that they have worked so hard to get. Just give it with both hands
Hu Zigao didn't answer, but just smiled sillyly.
“I think you are good with money and know the principles of spending money to do things. Do you still want to spend money to move around?”
Xu Jue put away his smile and took a serious look. Hu Zigao asked.
"To be honest with Mr. Xu, I have done a good job as a judge in the Salt Transportation Department in the past, but I really don't want to be promoted to work in the Ministry of Industry."
Hu Zigao said hurriedly.
"Just such a small ambition? A small judge is enough?"
Xu Jue said in surprise.
Thirty-five thousand taels of silver, Xu Jue did not think that it was only worth a judge of the Salt Transportation Department.
If this is true, how much are the officials of the Salt Transport Department worth?
The Ming Dynasty prospered after the Yuan Dynasty. In view of the fact that salt interests were related to military pay, the Ming court also attached great importance to salt affairs. He is responsible for handling salt cases.
The salt class was also the main source of cash for the Ming Dynasty. It was not like local taxes, but mainly in kind. This was where real money and silver were collected.
The rank of Yunsi Yamen is from the third level, and there are four official positions: Yunshi, Tongzhi, deputy envoy, and judge, all of which are official officials of Yunsi.
Each salt transport envoy department has one envoy, one deputy envoy, one deputy envoy, and the number of judges varies.
Gai Yunshi is the chief official of the palm seal, and he knows the same things as the Yunshi, and the deputy envoy acts as the deputy Yunshi, so there is one person in each department regardless of the number of salt grains (sections). .
If the number of magistrates is different, the magistrate will be the official responsible for urging the salt class to be divided into divisions. For example, the Lianghuai Transportation Division has three divisions: Taizhou, Huai'an and Tongzhou, and there will be three judges; Changlu Transportation Division There are two branches in Cangzhou and Qingzhou, and there are two judges. The Zhejiang Transportation Department has four branches in Wentai, Ningshao, Jiaxing, and Songjiang, and there are four judges.
It can be seen that Yun Shi, Yun Tong and Yun Deputy are officials at the decision-making level, the so-called "Yun Secretary Chief's subordinates". The three share responsibilities and restrain each other. They are managed by Yun Juan.
According to the "Licang Gangyun" system of the Yuan Dynasty, the main duties of the divisional magistrates were to manage the divisional salt warehouses. They needed to urge the salt tax, arrange for boats and men to transport salt into the warehouses, and conduct inspections Salt cashier.
The judge is not just in charge of a salt field, he is responsible for all entry and exit. If the salt dealer wants to buy salt, if he doesn't feed the judge, he will have dozens of reasons to delay the delivery, even if you have salt.
No matter how powerful you are behind you, there are always ways to solve it.
Therefore, even if the dignitaries of the imperial court go to the Salt Department to ask for salt, they must follow the rules.
So although the Salt Division is under the Ministry of Household Affairs, it is similar to the Cao Division in that it has its own subordinates. Under normal circumstances, it is a yamen that outsiders cannot interfere with.
Of course, inspection and supervision by superior officials are still needed, but if you can be a salt transport envoy, you will naturally be a person of great influence in the Ministry of Household Affairs and even in the court. The benefits are really too great.
Moreover, throughout the ages, in government offices of all dynasties, the salt transportation has been the most profitable one.
When Wei Guangde first arrived in the Ming Dynasty, he had the idea of entering the salt transport, but he knew that there was no chance, so he did not dare to hope. He just thought that he could enter Jiujiang Chaoguan nearby.
Of course, not all the benefits are taken away by the grassroots, but must be handed over to the Salt Transportation Department in accordance with the rules, and the benefits can be shared with the officials.
Hearing Xu Jue's words, Hu Zigao was frightened and naturally understood what the other party meant.
It seems that pushing myself to return to the Salt Transportation Division to be a judge is a bit fussy. It seems that it is not impossible for me to move up the ranks.
My heart was moved, and I immediately beat the snake and followed the stick and said: "Master Xu, if you can win your favor and Eunuch Feng's trust, I will definitely do a good job to satisfy you and Eunuch Feng."
“Oh, hehe.”
Seeing that Hu Zigao understood what he meant, Xu Jue felt very happy.
If one of our own can intervene in the Yanyun Yamen, there will definitely be a lot of benefits.
Just for a judge, Hu Zigao was willing to throw out thirty-five thousand taels, as well as a gift of thousands of taels when he first came to visit him. This shows how much profit this official position can bring in a year. rich.
"It's easy to talk. When I return to the capital one day, I will definitely speak for you in front of Eunuch Feng and help you fight for it."
Xu Jue said with a smile.
"I don't know when Mr. Xu will return to the capital. I have prepared another Bo Yi to show my filial piety to Eunuch Feng. I also asked Mr. Xu to bring him back to the capital."
Hu Zigao's big head has already come out, so naturally he will not let go at the last moment. , and said immediately.
He planned to go back and look for it again, and took out two to three thousand taels of silver to buy jewelry and jade, and distributed them to Feng Bao and Xu Jue.
Okay, this is the Bo Yi he calls, and it is already money that ordinary people cannot earn in their lifetime.
“I plan to leave Nanjing the day after tomorrow and return to the capital.”
Xu Jue said, then reached out to pick up the wooden box containing the Buddhist beads and said with a smile: "With the gift from Mr. Hu, I think the Queen Mother will be very happy.
If the Queen Mother is happy, Eunuch Feng will also be happy, Just don't worry about your business.
It's just that things will get better in the future. , just don’t blame Xu.”
“I don’t dare, thank you for your kind words, Mr. Xu.”
Hu Zigao hurriedly bowed and said, “Since you will do it later. Returning to Beijing, I will ask for a private room in Yicui Tower tomorrow night to practice for Mr. Xu.”
"Oh, haha, good, good."
Xu Jue heard that Hu Zigao wanted to arrange another banquet, and he immediately agreed happily.
Speaking of Yicui Tower, I have never been there, but it has been famous for a long time.
It's not that he doesn't want to go, it's that he has only a handful of hours to rest in this house every night, and they have been fully arranged by the officials he has visited and made friends with.
These last two days were deliberately set aside by him to catch Hu Zigao, a big fish, after he turned down other invitations.
Helping Hu Zigao was nothing more than a simple task in Xu Jue's opinion.
Given the relationship between my father-in-law and Zhang Shoufu and Wei Cifu, it is not something that can be easily captured.
After leaving Xu Jue's house, Hu Zigao got on his sedan chair and went to Yicui Tower to make arrangements.
Speaking of the Yicui Tower, it is not one of the sixteen buildings in Nanjing, but a privately built pavilion.
Nanjing is the former capital of the Six Dynasties and is known as “the rouge of the North and the golden powder of the South”.
Clothes and cultural relics, such as armor in the south of the Yangtze River, white flowers flowing down the green stream, peach leaves and round fans, and beautiful and beautiful ladies, have been preserved throughout history.
As early as the early years of Hongwu, Zhu Yuanzhang ordered the construction of fourteenth floors such as Qingyan, Danfen, Meiyan and Liucui to accommodate official prostitutes, which became popular all over the world and flourished for a while.
One or two hundred years later, during the Longqing period, the Yinghua business on the Qinhuai River became more and more prosperous. Even in later generations, the world still talked about the story of the Eight Beauties of Qinhuai.
“Ten miles across the Qinhuai River, the lights are bright, and the pavilions and pavilions surround the river embankment. Shengge and wine are filled with red birds, and the ancient books are all covered with black clothes.”
This poem truly reflects this generation The beautiful scenery and bustling market at that time.
From Wuding Bridge to Lishe Bridge, and then to Fishing Alley, and even to Shuiguan and the river area, there are densely packed houses next to each other, and all of them are famous prostitutes who are stunning in the south of the Yangtze River.
The residences of these famous prostitutes are called river houses, also known as river towers.
The Fengge Luan Tower is extremely exquisitely constructed, with carved railings, painted sills, and silk-screened windows, making it look like a fairyland.
There are also the rows of boats and boats walking on the river. Every night there are birds and birds singing and dancing, which makes people linger.
Although there are many famous river buildings in this area, the most famous among them are Tingyun, Qinghe, and Yicui, because the owners of these three buildings are all good at sex and art. , a popular courtesan whose skills surpass those of others.
Princes, princes, grandsons, wealthy businessmen, all wanted to pay a visit and have a kiss when they arrived in Nanjing.
Therefore, if you want to get their favor, you have to make an appointment in advance.
Hu Zigao had money, and when he first came to Nanjing to be an official, he naturally lingered on the beauties of the south of the Yangtze River and couldn't miss Shu. He was very dissipated for a while.
Having been a benefactor for more than a year, Hu Zigao could not directly meet Liu Xianglan, the head of Yicui Tower today.
"Master Hu, you said that the gentleman from Beijing is the one from Dongchang?"
Liu Xianglan and Hu Zigao sat opposite each other and asked softly.
Although famous prostitutes have high self-esteem, they have to bend their backs for yellow and white things, not to mention that the person opposite is a Jinshi master.
No matter how famous your reputation is among scholars, in reality, you are still not as good as this well-born official, who actually passed the imperial examination.
"It's good that Mr. Liu knows that this old man from the capital is named Xu. I also ask Mr. Liu to serve you with your heart. I am very grateful."
Hu Zigao said.
"Knowing that Mr. Hu is here, the slave family thought that Mr. Hu was here to show mercy and cherish the jade, but he didn't expect it to be like this."
Liu Xianglan pretended to be sad.
"Xianglan female history, do you think I have no sympathy for you?
From the moment I entered your door, I felt lost."
"Then why did you let her go? To someone else? ”
"I am a guest from afar, so I should behave like a gentleman?"
"What a gentleman."
Liu Xianglan smiled teasingly, "You are a sixth-grade official, how can you say Being young is not considered young anymore. Using a young girl to curry favor with a big man from Beijing, is this considered a gentleman’s behavior?” (End of Chapter)