Chapter 44 Thorough Investigation of Salt Affairs
Fang Zhongrong heard this and asked: "Does mother mean to refuse this matter?"
Ms. Cheng smiled bitterly and said: "His Royal Highness has already spoken, if he refuses to accept it, , doesn’t it refute His Highness’s face?”
“What does mother mean?” Fang Zhongrong asked doubtfully.
"This marriage can only be accepted. Fortunately, I have heard about the eldest son of the Zhu family. He has good conduct." Mrs. Cheng sighed.
Although she could delay on the grounds that she wanted to ask her own officials, there was absolutely no point in doing so.
As Zhao Xing's uncle's family, they naturally received great attention from the noble officials and officials in Bianjing.
In addition, in order to prevent his uncle from accepting gifts, Zhao Xing sent the imperial army to stand guard at the door of Zhu's house. The story spread throughout Bianjing.
In ancient times, in marriages, in addition to family status, parents and themselves were also considered, not just family status.
After all, if a family committed a serious crime in ancient times, their relatives would also be implicated. This is why ancient times attached so much importance to marriage.
Once the two parties get married, it can be regarded as sharing weal and woe.
Later generations often say that marriage is not a matter of two people, but a matter of two families.
This statement is also very applicable in ancient times.
In Mrs. Cheng's view, Zhu Shiquan was too greedy, otherwise the prince, as a nephew, would not have used that method. This is why she said she didn't know whether it was a blessing or a curse.
But Zhao Xing opened his mouth and the Fang family could not refuse. After careful consideration, Cheng decided to agree.
"When the child is on duty tomorrow, will he directly tell His Highness that his mother agreed to this matter?" Fang Zhongrong asked.
"Just say that I agree, but you must inform your father before we can finalize the marriage." Mrs. Cheng said.
“Yes, the child understands.” Fang Zhongrong said.
......
On this day, Zhao Xing, who returned from school in the evening, was not surprised when he received Fang Zhongrong's reply.
His status as the prince is as stable as that of Zhu Biao, who is known as the most stable prince in history.
After all, he doesn’t even have a competitor, how can he be unstable?
Therefore, it is impossible for the Fang family to refuse his proposal.
After dinner in the evening, Zhao Xing came to Yonghe Palace and told his mother and concubine the news.
After hearing this, Concubine Zhu said happily: "I have also heard about the three girls from the Fang family. They are of excellent character. You have chosen a good marriage for your cousin."
Concubine Zhu did not mention the appearance of the Fang girl, just like Mrs. Cheng did not consider Zhu Jingyu's future.
Marry a virtuous wife, keep concubines and have sex.
For wealthy families, the candidate for the head wife may not be beautiful, but she must be virtuous.
If a wife is not good-looking, she can still have a concubine, but the head wife is expected to run the family, and if she is not virtuous, there is no way to make up for it.
The Cheng family does not consider Zhu Jingyu's future because families like them can be sealed.
The title of Yin Feng is not exclusive to military commanders. The Great Song Dynasty treated civil servants preferentially. According to regulations, civil servants of fifth rank or above can be Yinzi.
The disadvantage is that those who do not pass the imperial examination have limited prospects and it is difficult to ascend to high positions.
But the Zhu family is the mother clan of His Highness the Crown Prince, so naturally there is no need to consider these things.
“It’s useless for the mother and concubine to be satisfied. My uncle and aunt have to be satisfied. My son has a heavy workload during this period and has no time to leave the palace. The mother and concubine can call her aunt into the palace when she comes back and talk to her about it. ." Zhao Xing said.
"Don't worry, your aunt will be very happy when she finds out. She will definitely be happy." Concubine Zhu said with a smile.
...
The time has entered April. After several months of preparation, the officials announced in the morning that they would conduct a thorough investigation into the salt affairs.
As soon as this statement came out, it directly caused an uproar. Many people stood up to oppose it, saying that the salt service has been running for many years without problems.
People who were not involved in the salt affairs remained silent and watched the excitement.
In the entire court, only a few people, led by Grand Prime Minister Han Zhang, agreed with this matter.
Just when those officials who opposed thought that the resistance was too great and the officials would give up, the officials directly asked people to take out the evidence collected during this period and blocked the mouths of these people.
"Why are you silent? The salt affairs are so corrupt, do you think we should investigate?" the official said calmly. "Your Majesty, I did not expect that the salt affairs would have such a big problem. I am guilty of negligence. It's just that the salt affairs are very involved and should be discussed in the long term." The salt envoy said bravely.
The Salt Envoy is the highest official of the Salt Affairs Department and is in charge of salt affairs in the world.
Of course he knows about the problem of salt affairs, and he cannot escape the blame.
The officials had put out the evidence, so naturally he couldn't stop the officials from thoroughly investigating the salt affairs, so he could only find ways to delay it.
As long as it can be delayed for a while, the officials will send people to conduct a thorough investigation and find nothing.
The official sneered when he heard this: "If I remember correctly, Wen Qing has been in charge of the world's salt affairs for five years as the salt envoy, right?"
Wen Xuan bowed and said : "Your Majesty, it has indeed been five years."
"The salt issue is so serious. Is it really just a crime of oversight that Wen Qing has been in office for five years?" The official said calmly.
When Wen Xuan heard this, cold sweat broke out on his forehead and said: "Your Majesty, I am guilty."
The official stared at him for a while and then said: "Since you say you are guilty, then stay at home first. , I will check the salt affairs thoroughly and see what crime you are guilty of!"
Wen Xuan's legs softened when he heard this and he almost lost his balance.
After a while, he came back to his senses, took off his black gauze hat, bowed and said: "I obey the order!"
After saying that, he hugged the black gauze hat and left with a decadent look.
The civil and military officials in the Manchu Dynasty were all shocked when they saw that the officials had directly dismissed the salt envoy. It seemed that the officials were serious this time.
“Mr. Yu!” the official said in a deep voice.
"You once served as the Minister of the Ministry of Justice. The salt affairs are too involved. I want to leave it to you to conduct a thorough investigation. Do you have confidence?" the official asked.
"My current situation is unclear, and I am not sure that I will be able to thoroughly investigate the salt affairs. However, your Majesty has appointed my general. I can guarantee that I will do my best to thoroughly investigate the salt affairs." Yu Xianggong said.
"Mr. Yu is mature, prudent and upright. I can rest assured that I will leave this matter to you."
The official smiled and nodded, and said: "The thorough investigation of the salt affairs will be conducted by Mr. Yu. The Yushitai and Jianyuan will send people to accompany him. Ningyuan Marquis Gu Yankai will lead five thousand troops to escort him. The salt affairs must be carried out Check it out for me.”
“I obey the order!”
Yu Xianggong, Gu Yankai and the chief officials of Yushitai Jianyuan came out to respond.
"Retreat from the court!" The official waved his hand.
“Congratulations to Your Majesty!”
All the civil and military officials bowed and drank together. After the officials left, they left the hall with different expressions.
Officials involved in the salt affairs looked sad, and even those who were not involved were worried.
The officials are now determined to investigate the salt affairs, and they seem to be determined not to give up until the investigation is clear.
Who knows if the officials will check other things after checking the salt affairs.
Some people even have a bad idea in their minds. Is it possible that the government is planning to reform again?
......
"Officer, what's wrong with you?"
Princess Princess Pingning saw Duke Qi coming back and just wanted to say hello when she saw that Duke Qi was absent-minded and his expression was very bad.
Qi Guogong came to sit down next to Princess Pingning, took a sip of the tea brought by the maid, put down the tea cup, and asked everyone waiting in the hall to get down.
"Official, what happened?" Princess Pingning asked.
"The official issued an order long ago, ordering Mr. Yu to thoroughly investigate the salt affairs." Qi Guogong said.
"Have you not checked before? What do you have to worry about, officials?" Princess Pingning said indifferently after hearing this.
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(End of this chapter)