Chapter 7 fourth quarter
Between Tokyo and Xijing in the Song Dynasty, in addition to the waterways of the Bianhe River and Luoshui River, there are also official roads that are densely shaded with locust trees, and the transportation is quite convenient.However, convenience can sometimes become an annoyance. Jin Lan figured it out clearly. Tang Kang’s last letter was sent back by someone before he arrived in Luoyang. Come.No matter whether it was Shi Mansion or Wen Mansion, Tang Family or Sang Family, no one knew which road he took after arriving in Luoyang.She estimated the time, Tang Kang should arrive in Bianjing in the next few days, so she had to use a foolish way to send people to guard each road and each ferry in turn day and night.Although I know that this is useless, but for my relatives, if I don't do anything, I really can't feel at ease.
For several days in a row, the inquiring people did not see any trace of Tang Kang and his party. Wen and Jin Lan couldn't close their eyes for several days and nights. Good point.The two were eagerly looking forward to Tang Kang's return to the capital, seeing that he was about to be promoted and the family could be reunited again, but unexpectedly something happened halfway, it was a disaster from heaven.Hearing the news for the first time, Wen Shi was almost terrified and didn't know what to do.In the end, Jin Lan could make up her mind. After discussing with the Wen family, the two went to Shifu and Wenfu respectively to inquire about news; because the Tang family was in charge of business in Bianjing, a cousin of Tang Kang, it was difficult to cope with such a situation. He also sent people and horses to report to Hangzhou.But after Wen and Jin Lan came back after inquiring about the news, they talked to each other and realized that Tang Kang's misfortune was really serious—it was nothing more than arrogance in mobilizing the forbidden army, but Tang Kang actually killed more than seven thousand people without asking for an order. surrendered rebels!Wen's family was born as a lady of a famous family, and the total number of people he has met in his life is probably less than a hundred. He doesn't know what seven thousand people is.When Jin Lan heard this, she gasped and was almost stunned.But as soon as she came to her senses, she immediately discussed with Wen Shi, asking Wen Shi to go back and beg her parents to intercede with Wen Yanbo every day, while besides accompanying her sister Jin Zhi, she inevitably had to go to the Shifu several times a day to meet with Wen Yanbo. Sang Mansion—Jinlan has been in Bianjing for so many years in the Song Dynasty.Although she usually has many close friends in her boudoir, but at this time, if she walks by herself, it will be too eye-catching.On the contrary, it is Wang Fang, the wife of Sang Chongguo. Not only has Princess Qinghe been friends with her for many years, but even the current wife of the prime minister, Mrs. Fang, admires her very much--Jin Lan also knows in her heart who controls Tang Kang's fate, whether it is Qinghe The princess is still the Fang family, so in fact, it can't be of much use. The emperor and the mother dote on Qinghe and will not allow her to take part in politics; and Lu Huiqing's family law is very famous. speechless.But if you understand it, you understand that once the person involved is your husband, no matter how sensible you are, you can't help but do it. It seems that only by doing this can you feel at ease.She can only hold a little luck in her heart, she has never said anything in front of Princess Qinghe, if Wang Fang can let Qinghe speak a word or two in front of the queen mother or emperor, maybe it will be another result - after all, in the palace, everyone All kinds of requests have never been eliminated.
However, even after doing all this, Jin Lan, who is smart and sophisticated, cannot deceive herself and others after all.She couldn't lie to herself at all-Tang Kang's promotion was once regarded by Bianjing officials as a harbinger of Shiyue's comeback, and everyone thought that the emperor might use Shiyue again.It doesn't even take any political insight to see this, just count the number of carriages in Scholars Lane.But Shi Yue's comeback will definitely make Lu Huiqing feel threatened. Lu Huiqing will not let go of anything that can be used, not to mention that Tang Kang really poked a hole in the sky this time!
"Although it is said that it is good at mobilizing the forbidden army to suppress rebellion and crimes, it is for the court after all, so the officials should not blame it?"
"Those rebels should also be executed according to the law..."
Jin Lan could only silently smile wryly for all the reasons Wen's weaving made for Tang Kang.She didn't want to add unnecessary pressure to her. A lady from such a famous family as Wen Shi really did a good enough job.However, Jin Lan couldn't find any reason to comfort herself - since ancient times, for those in high positions, in addition to the content of doing things, the form of doing things is equally important, or even more important.
"Is there still no news from the officials?" Seeing that the hour hand of the pearl clock in the room inevitably pointed to Youzheng, and the dull bell rang, Jin Lan couldn't help but turned her head and asked for the third time.
The servant girl shook her head and replied in a low voice: "Not yet." After finishing speaking, she raised her head slightly, glanced at Jin Lan, bit her lower lip lightly, and comforted her: "Ma'am, maybe there will be news tomorrow."
Disappointment once again occupied Jinlan's heart.She was silent for a while, then suddenly stood up and said, "Go to the Sang Mansion."
As early as a few years ago, Sang Mansion moved from Panlou Street to the vicinity of Xianyifang. This place is not like the commercial area of Panlou Street. Xianyifang is the same as Dong Taishi Lane, where all the relatives and dignitaries of the Song Dynasty lived. Your Excellency, Zhao Kai, the fourth younger brother of the current emperor, the palace is located in the first district of Xianyifang.On the opposite side of the Four Princes' Mansion, there is also a large-scale construction project at this time. This is the official family's building a palace for King Yong and Zhao Hao. When passing by the first district of Xianyifang, Jin Lan glanced at the future King Yong's Mansion through the window of the carriage. There was a flash of a sneer.
Today's "favor" and "friendship" to this "virtuous king" are really embarrassing. The court struggles that Jinlan saw and heard in the past were either naked like the Liao Kingdom. If you are the same enemy, you will never stop unless you kill me and let your blood flow into a river; or you are like Goryeo, although they are also as if they are irreconcilable, but as long as they do not pose a blatant threat, at most they will "just" force the princes to become monks. Monk...but Jin Lan was amazed by someone like Da Song who did so tenderly and quietly.She is well aware of the inside story. Since Wang Anshi became prime minister, the finances of the Song Dynasty have been gradually regulated; after the reform of the official system, especially in order to deal with the war against Xixia, the financial power has been further moved down, respectively, by the Ministry of Households and the Taifu Temple. Master, the wealth directly controlled by the emperor is getting less and less, and the current emperor is a virtuous monarch. In order to alleviate the expenditure of the treasury, he has repeatedly reduced the expenditure of the palace. Now at least two or three palaces in the palace are in disrepair. He was even reluctant to spend money—but in order to build a palace for his younger brother, the emperor actually spent more than 200,000 guan without hesitation!The more than 200,000 copper coins, in addition to expressing the love of the royal brothers to the world and the emperor's emphasis on brotherhood and family affection, actually have only one purpose, which is to let His Royal Highness King Yong live a little farther away from the forbidden area.This is obviously not just the emperor's idea, because Sima Guang, the Minister of the Ministry of household affairs who has always been careful about pennies and pennies, has rarely objected.
Jin Lan didn't like this King Yong very much.People in the Song Dynasty calculated the age of a man by age. In the seventeenth year of Xining, the King of Yan'an was already nine years old, and His Royal Highness Xin Guogong was also eight years old. From the emperor, queen mother, empress to the court ministers, they all began to talk to these two men. The prince chooses the master.However, the king of Yan'an County, the actual crown prince of the Song Dynasty, was weak and sick, and it was difficult for him to enroll, so he has been procrastinating.The queen originally planned to choose a teacher for Duke Xin, but when Jin Lan and the others were happily planning to choose a good teacher for Duke Xin, His Royal Highness Yong Wang played a book and said, "Preface" and so on, but the matter did not follow.
Jin Lan could see King Yong's intentions clearly.Because in the palace, Yan'an County King and Xin Guogong are different from others, they are both raised by the queen himself, so the chance of inheriting the lineage in the future is naturally higher than the rest of the princes - if the Yan'an County King is safe and sound, by age, by blood, Naturally, there is no chance for Duke Xin, and neither Concubine Wang Xian nor Jin Lan dared to have such ambitions; but if there is anything wrong with the crown prince, then among the other princes, Duke Xin is the oldest , and was brought up by the empress, although he is at a disadvantage in blood, but it is not impossible for the courtiers to support the older Xin Guogong in order to prevent the situation where brothers end up with each other.After all, the so-called "blood" is determined by the patrilineal rather than the matrilineal.Although Xin Guogong's Koryo blood is ridiculed as "Yi Di", he is the son of the Song Emperor after all.What's more, his mother is the princess of Goryeo, and among the princes, his mother's background is the most noble!Although everyone thinks that Xin Guogong has no chance at the moment, Jin Lan believes that things in the world are fickle.
His Royal Highness King Yong obviously had this in mind.The Empress Dowager Gao and the Empress will definitely maintain the order of seniority among the princes. If the sixth son Zhao Mai has not yet chosen a master to study, let the seventh son study first. Once this example is opened, it will inspire the hearts of the princes to covet. There will be endless troubles in the future.Anyway, the princes are still young, so they are not afraid of delay, so they naturally suppressed it first.His Royal Highness King Yong was happy to see that the later the princes studied, the better.
The carriage quickly passed the first district of Xianyifang, made seven turns and eight turns in the streets and alleys, and ran for another half an hour before finally stopping in front of the Sang Mansion.When the gatekeeper of the Sang family saw Jin Lan's carriage, someone had already rushed in to report, and he greeted the carriage and entered the mansion through the side door.When Jin Lan got off the car at the middle gate, Wang Fang had already brought people to greet her in person.
"Sister-in-law." Seeing Wang Fang, Jin Lan hurriedly said, "How dare you work on sister-in-law."
Wang Fang helped Jin Lan up with a smile, took her hand and walked inside, smiling, "Lan'er, County Lord Roujia is back."
"Huh?" This news really surprised Jin Lan.Since the death of Empress Dowager Cao, Roujia has been depressed. Since the thirteenth year of Xining, she has repeatedly asked to go to Gong County to guard the house for Empress Cao for three years to fulfill her filial piety—this is unprecedented since the founding of the Song Dynasty. The matter of etiquette is also absent.But the Song Dynasty, like all previous dynasties, "governed the world with filial piety". Although the emperor secretly pitied this girl and kept her in the middle time and time again, and asked the queen and Princess Qinghe to comfort her, but Roujia was very determined, and the emperor had no choice. She was reluctantly allowed, and in the fourteenth year of Xining, Roujia left Jingyuan Village and went to Gong County.From then on, Bianjing seldom heard from her.Jin Lan is a very transparent person. When she first entered the palace to meet Concubine Wang Xian, she chatted with the county magistrate of Roujia. Concubine Wang laughed and said that whether it was the late Empress Dowager Cao, or the emperor and empress, the love for Roujia was actually still in Qinghe. Up—people in the palace said that the temperament of this nineteenth mother was very similar to that of the eldest princess of the Chu Kingdom who passed away in Xining three years ago.
Jin Lan had never met the beloved daughter of Emperor Renzong, but she had heard of many deeds about her—this princess was so bold and lawless, and she was a very unusual figure among the gentle and virtuous princesses in the Song Dynasty.But her fate could not escape the curse of the Song Dynasty princess, just as miserable as many Song Dynasty princesses.
Like most princesses, this eldest princess of the Chu Kingdom was unfortunately assigned a son-in-law that she could not like at all, and what was even more unfortunate was that she refused to accept this fate.So in just a few years, the relationship between the husband and wife deteriorated rapidly, and finally they knocked on the palace door at night, wanting to separate from the concubine-the law of the Song Dynasty, it is extremely serious to open the palace door at night, and this princess often drinks with the servants Having fun, but also unable to handle the relationship between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, has long attracted attention, and this has provoked the impeachment of Taiwan's admonitions, and an uproar of public opinion, and was finally demoted as Princess Yi.But she didn't care about it at all. She would rather die than divorce the son-in-law. Marriage—this can be said to be the most shocking event in the story of Princess Chu and all the princesses in the Song Dynasty. At that time, the princess was only twenty-five years old.
But her fate did not turn around because of this, and such a deviant thing made it impossible for her to settle down in the palace.Although her biological mother, Concubine Miao, had a good relationship with Emperor Yingzong who was raised in the palace in many ways, the conflict with Empress Dowager Cao made her position even more embarrassing.When Renzong was alive, Empress Cao had publicly expressed her sympathy for the son-in-law.After Renzong's death, she lost her greatest support.And Empress Dowager Gao couldn't accept this kind of behavior that didn't conform to morality and etiquette.The eldest princess of the state of Chu was forced to remarry in the end, and soon died of depression. At this time, it was only eight years since she divorced.
It is said that the princess was clever, clever, mischievous and cute since she was a child, and she was very filial to her parents all her life. Although she was often arrogant, she was a very affectionate and sexual person.So until more than ten years after her death, stories about this princess are still being circulated in the boudoir of Bianjing—from all kinds of naughty deeds in her girlhood, to the filial piety that begged God to exchange her life for her father's safety; The incomparably grand ceremony of conferring the princess, the luxurious and extravagant wedding... There are even rumors that she is going to divorce her son-in-law because she fell in love with a servant... Although many girls in Bianjing are talking about what the princess has done... Don't take it seriously, but as soon as you hear the words "Princess Chu State" or "Princess Zhuang Xiao", your ears will involuntarily perk up.This eldest princess of the Chu Kingdom is already a legend in the boudoir.
The most intriguing thing is the attitude of the current officials towards his aunt.Even though she is an emperor, she could not prevent her from being forced to remarry and die in depression, but after her death, when the ministers discussed her posthumous posthumous title, the officials intervened and gave her posthumous title "Zhuang Xiao" to pursue her. The most bizarre thing is that, as if she couldn't express her anger, the emperor actually demoted the unlucky son-in-law Duwei to Chenzhou for resettlement on the charge of "serving the Lord with no dignity". ——You know, the public opinion back then was "the princess is to blame for the disharmony"!In fact, the son-in-law, like the princess, is a victim of an unhappy marriage.
From various rumors, Jin Lan felt that Xianfei's jokes and the comparisons of people in the palace were not groundless.At least she can know that the officials are actually very sympathetic to what happened to Princess Zhuang Xiao.And what this nineteenth mother has done since she was a child is like another Princess Zhuang Xiao.The county head is not only equally affectionate, but also filial.The shocking things she has done are even worse than that of Princess Zhuang Xiao, but she has never deviated from the tradition after all - this is actually the strength of Princess Zhuang Xiao without any shortcomings.If it is said that the emperor and the empress love her more in their hearts, Jin Lan believes that it is very possible - in the royal family of the Great Song Dynasty, there are countless princesses of Qinghe County, but there is only one princess of Roujia County!
Thinking of this, Jin Lan felt happy.The friendship between Roujia and Zi'er is even higher than that of Qinghe—this county magistrate, she has always dared to say what others dare not say, and she dares to do what others dare not do. If she can help... Jin Lan secretly called Following her wishful thinking, she completely forgot that every story of the county lord often contained the misfortune of another person or others.
"The empress dowager and the sage have to worry about the county master's marriage again..." Wang Fang chatted with Jin Lan as he walked away.
"There are so many sons in Chaozhong Gongqing's family, you can always find a good man, right?" Jin Lan smiled lightly, she was a little absent-minded about these things.
Wang Fang glanced at Jinlan in surprise, and said with a half-smile, "If it doesn't suit the county lord's wishes, it won't work. We can learn from the past..." She knew a little bit about Roujia's feelings for Shi Yue.
"Does the county master have a sweetheart? Which family's young master?" Jin Lan immediately heard the implication.
"I don't know, if you want to know, you can ask the county magistrate yourself." Wang Fang changed the topic with a smile, "Tomorrow we will go to Jingyuan Manor together, don't blame me for doing it for you, I have already prepared your gifts for you. "
Jin Lan hurriedly thanked them, and the two of them chatted about some domestic gossip, and after a while, they arrived at the courtyard where Wang Fang lived.Because Jinlan was a regular customer, Wang Fang pretended to be a female celebrity and ordered all the servants out.Seeing that she was putting on airs and piercing stitches and threads on one embroidery screen, Jin Lan couldn't help laughing and asked, "What is my cousin embroidering?"
Seeing her teasing, Wang Fang smiled and threw the embroidered screen on the couch, but he was not to be outdone, and said sternly, "The one I embroidered is a picture of catching ghosts, and it has the magical effect of protecting a house from evil spirits."
Hearing what she said seriously, Jin Lan couldn't help walking over in half-belief, picked up the embroidery screen, and saw that on the small embroidery screen, there was a line to the east, a line to the west, a red line, a black line, and a green line. When they were pieced together, they vaguely looked like a pattern, but no matter how carefully she looked, she couldn't figure out what Wang Fang embroidered.She looked around quietly for a long while, but she couldn't figure it out. Suddenly, she saw a colored picture pressed on the small table next to her. When she glanced at it, it was a picture of flying with wings. She turned her head and glanced at the embroidered picture in her hand again. Suddenly, he let out a loud laugh, pointed at the pattern with one finger, and pointed at the embroidery screen with the other, leaning forward and backward in laughter, almost dying of breath.The maidservants and women outside didn't know what was going on, so they all sneaked up to take a peek, and when they saw the embroidered screen in Jin Lan's hand, they all covered their mouths and sniggered.
Wang Fang blushed from her smile, walked over quickly in shame, snatched it away, hid it behind him, and spat, "You are not a good person either. Thank you for helping me!"
However, the more Jin Lan thought about it, the more amusing she became, holding her stomach, pointing at the drawing paper, and said with a smile, "This... this is... that is... Qing... Princess Qinghe will draw... draw..."
She had heard from the Wen family that her cousin, Wang Fang, was born in a famous family, the daughter of a prime minister, who is proficient in all kinds of piano, chess, calligraphy, painting, poetry, poetry, and Fu. It's easy to get, and she can be regarded as a strange woman.However, she is not good at female red culinary skills. It is a bit more difficult to handle a needle and thread than others with a big gun, and the food she cooks is like poison.After marrying into the Sang Mansion, although it was nothing at first, after a long time, although the mother-in-law is very easy to get along with, but the Sang family has many relatives and friends, it is inevitable to hear some gossip from others.But this Mrs. Sang is the most competitive by nature, how can she bear other people's gossip?So he vowed to learn from female celebrities, and especially asked Princess Qinghe to draw a model-but several times, when Wen came back after seeing her, he laughed so hard that he couldn't speak.Jin Lan didn't want to believe it at the time, she always felt that everyone has hands, which may not be as exaggerated as Wen said, and she has always admired Wang Fang's knowledge and talent. A talented girl like her—this is the first time she has seen Wang Fang's "female red" with her own eyes. She never imagined that a good "Picture of Flying with Wings" could be embroidered like a pot of overcooked The noodles are average.I'm afraid that if Zhang Fei is called, he will embroider more decently than her.
For a few days, she was worried and anxious between her brows, although she forced a smile, she could only work harder.Unexpectedly, at Wang Fang's place, he vented all the anxiety, anger, worry...all kinds of depression that had been pent up in his heart for the past few days.
"My cousin's sister-in-law's female celebrity is really...really comparable to...and uncle...uncle's calligraphy..." Jin Lan said it casually, and the more she thought about it, the more she felt the resemblance , Shi Yue's brush calligraphy, after more than ten years of practice, seems to be able to write one horizontal and one vertical more like chopsticks than earthworms.She once saw Shi Yue secretly practicing tracing red——Shi Yue, who had long since given up on his own calligraphy, suddenly changed his ways for the sake of the image of "father". time calligraphy.It's just that the calligraphy of the dignified Bachelor Shi is definitely inferior to that of Xiao Shi Rui, who has practiced calligraphy for less than a year.
Wang Fang's ears turned red from her laughter.She also knew that her female celebrity was a bit shameful, so she took out the embroidered screen hidden behind her and looked at it again, and said with a smile: "Laugh, laugh! Let's forget about laughing at you, Koryo servant girl." Seeing Jin Lan laughing Almost done, he pretended to be angry again, and said with a straight face: "Do you still want to talk about serious things? Do you still care about your Kang Lang? If you don't, I have to worry about it."
As soon as Jin Lan heard about Tang Kang, she immediately stopped laughing and said anxiously, "Sister-in-law doesn't know, I'm really anxious to death. I haven't seen anyone returning to Beijing until now..."
Wang Fang looked at Jin Lan and said with a sneer, "You were still laughing at me just now. You are also an idiot. What's the use of guarding the intersection? It's better to manage the yamen of each department. Your officials returned to Beijing last night. The emperor personally surrendered. My cousin is He was imprisoned in Yushitai. There were also two military officers who committed the crime together. They didn’t even touch the Weiwei Temple, and they were sent directly to the prison of the Shufu..."
"Ah?" Jin Lan's face turned pale when she heard the news, "This...doesn't even Shifu believe it...the emperor's will..."
"Why doesn't Shi Ziming know?" Wang Fang snorted softly, and said, "Conspiracies and tricks are his specialty, but in my opinion, he is probably planning big things!"
"Big event?" Jin Lan was stunned.
Wang Fang looked at Jin Lan, sighed suddenly, and said, "Among the women I know, you are the one who can understand these things. But it's a pity that you are a woman, otherwise that Pu Yancheng would not be as good as you." She The Pu Yancheng mentioned was the first batch of "envoys sent to the Song Dynasty" of Goryeo, that is, foreign students, tribute students of Baishuitan College. Xining took the fifth place in the provincial examination in the fifteenth year, and the third place in the palace examination. , High school Tanhua.The emperor specially appointed the secretary to supervise the school, and it was a moment of glory.Even Su Zizhan is full of praise for this gentleman's poems, songs, prose, and articles.However, Jin Lan didn't like this person.The Goryeo envoy once went to lobby this young man who is proud of the Korean students, and asked him to return to the country as an official, but after the lobbyist went, he didn't even have a chance to speak, so he blocked him back, and later he couldn't even get in. .This time when Jin Zhi and Wang Yao came to Bianjing, the Korean embassy hosted a banquet for all the envoys sent to the Song Dynasty, but he was the only one absent.Jin Lan also knew that Pu Yancheng was not without difficulties—his father and brother supported King Shun and were killed in this battle for the throne.But what Jin Lan couldn't understand was that since he couldn't forgive his own motherland, why could he easily forgive the Song Dynasty, which also participated in the power struggle in Korea, and he still regarded himself as a Song person without shame?Among the students studying abroad in Korea, there are not a few people who are in the same situation, and the first batch of envoys sent to Song Dynasty accounted for less than half. But so far, all the first batch of students have returned to Korea except him, and there are many of them A person who passed Jinshi in the Song Dynasty.
It's just that it's inconvenient for Jin Lan to reveal these inside information, and she just said lightly: "I dare not compare, and I don't want to be like this. It is a blessing to have a husband and a child in this life, and live in peace." Her words are half true, half false, Wen's family has a son and a daughter for Tang Kang, but she has nothing to give, so she can't be indifferent.But the gap between the husband and wife has already arisen, so how can it be so easy to bridge it?This time when Tang Kang was in trouble, she was very anxious and couldn't sit still. She just thought that if Tang Kang was safe, she would replace her with her body without hesitation.A calm and rational woman like her naturally has insight into her own feelings.However, the other side of her still involves her own country and her own family... Although sometimes I naively think that Wang Yun has already ascended the throne as he wished, and I can also be relieved.However, she knew that was impossible after all.She's already in too deep.To her, it is an extremely extravagant thing for her to take care of her husband, teach her children, and live a peaceful life.She can't even have the jealousy of a woman. If she didn't feel ashamed in her heart, how could she be willing to share the person she loves with another woman?
"Aren't you safe and wealthy enough now?" Wang Fang couldn't understand her mood, and said with a smile, "After my cousin passes this test, I think he will be able to settle down in Bianjing for a few years. When you get together as a husband and wife, how many children will you have?" If you have a child, you can take good care of your husband and raise your children."
"I hope he can survive this calamity safely." Jin Lan sighed quietly.
"He'll be fine." Wang Fang smiled resolutely, "After listening to my explanation, you know that this time is destined to be nothing but a surprise."
Jin Lan knew her foresight, but Tang Kang's misfortune this time was extraordinary, because he just looked at Wang Fang with suspicion, pursed his lips, and waited for her to explain.
Wang Fang pondered for a while, looked at Jinlan, and talked eloquently: "I once carefully observed the changes in the personnel and affairs of the two mansions since the founding of the country, and found an interesting thing. Ups and downs, when you enter, you will become a prime minister, and when you retreat, you will live in a big county and guard one side. This is the good governance of the ancestors, which is beyond the reach of the Han and Tang Dynasties. But have you ever paid attention to the tenure of ministers and ministers?" Wang Fang smiled, After a short pause, he said like a few treasures: "Zhao Hanwang Zhao Pu, counting from the first year of Jianlong as the deputy envoy of the Privy Council, to the second year of Qiande as the Prime Minister of Jixian, and until the sixth year of Kaibao, he was dismissed. Twelve years, if it starts from the second year of Qiande, it is only a little more than nine years, during which he was alone for eight years, and then he was dismissed. It was not until seven years later that he served as prime minister for another three years, and then he was dismissed again. Four years later Re-enrolled in Zhongshu, and served as prime minister for less than three years. At the beginning of the founding of the country, the prime minister who served the longest was this old man. The rest were three years, and changed to three years. The longest in the Zhenzong Dynasty , that is, Wang Wei Gong, Wang Dan and Wang Ziming, who have the same character as Shi Ziming, have been prime minister for twelve years. However, Han Qi and Zeng Gongliang are the only ones who have been prime ministers for ten consecutive years, but they have never been alone. Han Qi and Fu Bi have been together for two years, and Zeng Gongliang for eight years. In the first and second years of Xining, they were just reserve staff." When Wang Fang mentioned Han Qi and Zeng Gongliang, there was no respect in her words, she paused after speaking, and said with a sarcasm: " Dare I ask Lu Jifu, how can He De be able to stay alone for nine years since Han Jiang was dismissed in the eighth year of Xining?"
"It is the law of the ancestors not to allow the prime minister to be in office for too long to prevent cliques and selfishness. After the emperor ascended the throne, Han Qi was no longer allowed to be the prime minister. Is it really because he is the so-called 'old party'? What kind of party is Gongliang?" Wang Fang looked excited, "Han Qi is a thousand-year-old fox. After he was resigned from the prime minister, he returned to his hometown to ask for farmland and homes, lived in luxury, and occasionally wrote memorials to show his loyalty to the emperor and concern for the country. That's why the Han family has received the emperor's favor, and it has never ceased to this day. He and Shi Ziming are indeed Weng sons-in-law. In recent years, Shi Yue's methods are similar to his. He does not see guests behind closed doors, does not give lectures, and does not follow Books, dismissed the diners, or recommended officials, leaving only Pan Zhaolin, and only spent the whole day traveling in Bianjing, talking about Buddhism and scriptures. Although he occasionally bought farms and houses, the raising of prostitutes and other things , but never messed with, and every now and then, he would pass some secret notes to the emperor to show that he had no complaints. I really don't know where he learned these skills-the so-called "things that are abnormal are demons", he I want to imitate other people's self-defilement, I'm afraid that painting a tiger will not be an anti-dog, the emperor is the Lord of England..."
Jinlan knew that when Wang Fang talked about Shi Yue, she would have to sneer at her before giving up, but she was Shi Yue's sister-in-law, her status was embarrassing, she hurriedly blushed and called out: "Cousin..."
Only then did Wang Fang realize it, he grinned, and said, "Come back to business. Why do you think Lu Jifu was able to be alone for nine years? If there is no one in the court, can Feng Jing and Sima Guang be prime ministers? If you say He has done a lot of hard work, can he be compared to King Zhao Han? His merit is not as good as Zhao Pu, his demeanor is not as good as Wang Dan, and he is not as good as Han Qi, but the position of Prime Minister is more secure than anyone else, isn't it weird?"
"This……"
"Actually, if it's a strange thing, it's not surprising if you put it bluntly. He was able to be alone for nine years, but it was because the emperor couldn't spare a hand. How many things have the court experienced in these nine years? Reform of the official system, abolition of prefectures and counties, and reorganization Armaments... plus the conquests from east to west, it's really hard to count. It's hard for the government to reach a delicate balance. As long as there are no major mistakes, at this moment, the emperor must have one thing more than one thing less, and there is a war outside , How can it withstand the turmoil in the court? The palace said that the queen mother told the emperor several times that Sima Guang should not be under Lu Huiqing. In the position of Minister of the Ministry, he remained motionless, and his position was even below that of the Ministers of the Ministry of Officials and the Minister of Bing! Could it be that Sima Guang should not be the Minister of the Ministry of Officials? In my opinion, the emperor was afraid that Sima Guang would change his position. The right servant, with the power of personnel in his hands, will no longer be able to stabilize the court. The emperor is an extremely wise monarch. In the ten years of Xining, he promoted Lu Huiqing to the left servant in the name of handing over money. He took away the right to exterminate the hall alone. In this way, the power of important personnel will be decided by the meeting of the political affairs hall, and the official department will be handed over to Feng Jing, who is more moderate, and the so-called "Stone Party" will mediate from it. Only the new party and the old party can barely live in peace. Otherwise, no matter which party controls the power of personnel, if it is said that they will not fight to the death, I absolutely do not believe it."
"It's just that such days are not long." Wang Fang said gloatingly.
"Sister-in-law is saying that the political situation is about to change?" Jin Lan asked tentatively.
"A minister of the bureaucracy has been in office for ten years. If he does not form a party, he forms a party. If he does not engage in private interests, he is also engaging in private interests." Wang Fang seemed a little worried that the world would not be chaotic. "The structure of the two governments has been maintained for nearly ten years. The Privy Council, the Ministry of Officials, the Ministry of War, the Ministry of Industry, the Ministry of Punishments, and even the Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of Households, as well as important yamen such as Weiwei Temple, Taifu Temple, and Dali Temple, will all be closed in the past few years. Change. Otherwise, the emperor will not feel at ease. There is no doubt about it. It’s just that Lu Huiqing may still be the prime minister for a few years, and the emperor can wait for the situation in the southwest to stabilize before taking action. But..." Wang Fang couldn't help but move forward He leaned over, looked at Jin Lan, lowered his voice, and said, "You know, a big storm is coming, the emperor has to replace people in advance, and Lu Huiqing's aspect is already in jeopardy!"
"This big storm is a catastrophe for some people, but for my cousin, it is God's blessing."
"But..." Jin Lan was completely overwhelmed by Wang Fang's keen insight, but it was still hard for her to believe that the seemingly thriving Song Dynasty would face a "big storm".You know, just three years ago, this empire had almost wiped out a powerful country in the northwest that was far above Goryeo!In the war with the Song Dynasty, the Xixia people lost most of their population, almost all of the most fertile land, and even the tombs of their ancestors!But the Song Dynasty got it - in Jinlan's view, what the Song Dynasty got was far more than a simple Xixia.They got a Shaanxi road, and Guanzhong has changed from a frontier to a hinterland!They will also get hundreds of thousands of cavalry - after occupying Lingxia, the Song people will have a natural horse farm, and in time, they will be able to compete with Khitan cavalry on horseback.As a Korean, at most a Kaifeng native, Jin Lan naturally ignored the so-called "Southwestern Yi" in the southwest of the Song Dynasty.Like the Song people around her, she despises the Southwest Yi from the bottom of her heart, thinking that it is insignificant. Although the Song army has suffered successive defeats and suffered heavy losses, she, like most Song people, believes that it is because the Song army did not send the main forbidden army to attack !After all, in order to cope with the war with Xixia, the Song Dynasty greatly accelerated the pace of their reorganization of the Forbidden Army. The unreorganized Forbidden Army of the Song Dynasty, some of the Hebei Forbidden Army, and all the Southeast Forbidden Army were far inferior to the elite main Forbidden Army.The Western Army needs to rest after the battle. After the soldiers have experienced such a battle, they will have all kinds of war-weary emotions, and the Northwest Fortress still needs to be heavily garrisoned.The elite forbidden army in Gyeonggi cannot be randomly transferred to the southwest to fight against some "southwestern barbarians"-the Song people dare not relax their vigilance against the Liao people at all times.More importantly, the Southwestern Yi will always be the Southwestern Yi. That "distant" and "irrelevant" war seems to have nothing to do with ordinary people.Small military "setbacks" - no one admits that they are "failures" - are simply due to "underestimation of the enemy".Jin Lan, like most people, believed that this time Zhong Er led the army of hundreds of battles into Shu, and the suppression of the southwest rebellion was just around the corner.Even after she knew that there was a mutiny in the Second Xiongwu Army, she still believed it—because the "Forbidden Army" in the minds of most Song people refers to the Western Army and the horse infantry under the jurisdiction of Dianqiansi.The rebellion of the Imperial Army in Hebei was put down so quickly, didn't it prove how good the Western Army is in fighting?Besides, the Song Army also had artillery—an impressive weapon.Be it the Goryeo Kingdom or the Liao Kingdom, in order to obtain the manufacturing method of artillery, various methods have been tried.They mixed the best craftsmen of their country into the entourage of the envoy, and after arriving in Bianjing, they took every opportunity to observe the artillery on the city wall of Bianjing—although most of the time they can only be seen from a distance, it is impossible to climb up the city wall of Bianjing at will At the same time, they bribed officials, used overseas students to make friends with excellent craftsmen, and got close to teachers and classmates related to the Weapons Research Institute... Koryo and Liao have successively trial-produced their own artillery. It was never enough—in Jin Lan’s view, the Song army transported a few cannons, and a few cannons could knock down the city walls of the Southwest Yi—of course she didn’t know that the Southwest Yi had no city walls, and even many local Song Dynasty counties did not have city walls.Although she has lived in Bianjing for a long time, she has never left the area of Kaifeng Mansion. Therefore, in Jinlan's heart, every place in the Song Dynasty is like the cities seen along the way from Hangzhou to Bianjing. There are dense crowds, tall city walls, neat and beautiful buildings, streets, and an amazing sewer system.She has only heard about the prosperity of Chengdu, but she doesn't know the situation on the southwestern border of the Song Dynasty. There, even many state and county governments in the Song Dynasty are often simply surrounded by fences. A state may only have In a very small market, the best house is the government office, but it is not as good as the worst house in Bianjing City. In some small states, even the whole state has a population of only a few hundred households. Mountains that can't be seen at a glance!Therefore, many officials of the Song Dynasty would rather be dismissed from office for the people than leave Bianjing.But Tang Kang never mentioned these difficulties in his family letters, so she couldn't understand what a remarkable achievement Tang Kang was able to repair the city wall in Rongzhou!
Besides the Southwest Yi, Jin Lan didn't even know what the "big storm" Wang Fang was referring to.
Wang Fang seemed to know what Jinlan was thinking, she glanced at Jinlan again, and sighed: "Gongqing scholar-bureaucrats, except for Shi Ziming, all underestimate the Southwest Yi... Originally, I wouldn't know these things—you should I heard that since the imperial court launched a large-scale attack on Xia, Shi Yue has begged for news control. The imperial court has sent people to various newspapers. All reports related to the war, and even the prices of rice and cloth in various places, are prohibited from reporting without permission. When the Southwest War broke out, Lu Jifu continued this policy as usual. Therefore, all the reports related to the war are actually what the two governments say, and each newspaper writes whatever. None of the three major newspapers sent people to Yizhou Road to see it with their own eyes. Look what happened there..."
Jin Lan was quite dissatisfied when she heard her tone, and couldn't help explaining for Shi Yue: "Military affairs are important to keep secret. And there are laws to follow..."
Wang Fang snorted lightly, but did not refute. He paused and continued, "But last year, Wei Tang from the "Qin Bao" sent two people to Yizhou Road, and they bribed the Imperial Army. Officer, they went deep into the hinterland of Southwestern Yi with the army. After they came back, although there was no report in "Qin Bao", Wei Tang wrote a letter to my husband, and one of them personally sent it to Bianjing."
"Ah?!" Jin Lan couldn't help exclaiming in a low voice, she subconsciously felt that it was not simple.
"This person came to Beijing only a month ago." Wang Fang said lightly, but a sarcastic smile appeared on the corner of his mouth. " dared not report, but wanted "Bianjing News" to stand out, and his intentions may not be so pure. But he didn't know that Lu Jifu's followers guarded every printing shop of "Bianjing News" day and night, even if his wife was not afraid There is nothing we can do to offend the powerful. Originally, my husband intended to let that person meet Sima Junshi, but he was afraid of causing trouble for the "Qin Bao", so he ran back to Shaanxi overnight when we were unprepared..."
"Then what he said may not be credible..."
"What this person said is definitely not a fabrication." Wang Fang categorically denied Jin Lan's suspicion, "According to what he said, the situation in the southwest is really appalling. He said that he had personally followed the imperial army to quell the chaos. There are many grievances and grievances, they cannot be united, and it has not become a major problem, but the seeds of the rebellion are dozens of big ones, hundreds of small ones, and the momentum is astonishing. The barbarians come and go between the mountains freely. Retirement is extremely passive. If there are officers who don’t know how to adapt, the excellent armor of the imperial army will become a burden. Therefore, the morale of the officers and soldiers is low every time they are defeated in every battle. In addition, the supply of food and grass is even more serious, and food is often not transported to the front line-not only is it difficult to transport in the mountains, but the southwestern barbarians plunder the food roads, and the people flee constantly. It is in the hinterland of Yizhou. If there are no officers and soldiers to escort them, there will be thieves robbing food, and even civilian husbands who transport food and thieves who cooperate with each other... In addition, there is a general who is incapable of exhausting the three armies, or the state gathers army food and lets it rot , but there is no grain in the other state, and the soldiers have to suffer from hunger. On the other hand, the government is desperately buying food and grass, the people are struggling to survive, and thieves are rampant... These things are definitely not something that Wei Tang can fabricate. He didn't dare to fabricate it! I heard rumors that the price of rice on Yizhou Road had doubled or tripled within a few months. I also paid attention to the price of grain on the nearby roads, Shaanxi, Jingxi, and even Hedong. , Hebei, food prices remain high. Even in Bianjing, prices have risen a lot..."
"This may be due to the excessive issuance of banknotes." Jin Lan is not ignorant, but for her status, the price of Bianjing is really not something she needs to care about.
"It's true that there are too many banknotes issued. But why are too many banknotes issued? If it weren't for the Southwestern barbarians who really caused big troubles, the garrison in the Northwest would not have reached this point." Wang Fang shook his head and said: "Everything in Bianjing is expensive. It has not been a day. The imperial court has no capital to issue banknotes for the military and the country. On the one hand, the court uses the banknotes to buy goods from the people, but on the other hand, the price rises, and the common people take the same amount of banknotes. Can't buy the same goods, can't help complaining. Lu Jifu initiated the banknote delivery, and the Lu brothers were in charge of the banknote delivery bureau. How is the situation in Yizhou, how are the people in Yizhou doing? I don't know, and I don't necessarily care about it, but now even Bianjing's prices are soaring, but it is painful. It's just that the prices in Bianjing are high, but they are still tolerable. Although there are dissatisfaction, after all, we can't do anything to Fujian. This resentment can only be accumulated day after day. But the current situation in the southwest has reached such a point... The rebellion of the barbarians in the southwest was also caused by Lu Huiqing! The forbidden army did not hesitate to mutiny because they did not want to go to the southwest! You Is it said that Lu Huiqing is sitting on the fire now? If Shi Yue and Sima Guang are indifferent, I definitely don't believe it!"
Jin Lan was completely shaken, "Is the Southwest Yi really that powerful?" She asked secretly in her heart.Perhaps, the empire of the Song Dynasty was far more fragile than she imagined.However, if it is really as Wang Fang analyzed, then the situation in the court will indeed change drastically. For Tang Kang, at least it will not be a bad thing.
Knowing a lot of inside information from Wang Fang, and inquiring about Tang Kang's whereabouts, Jin Lan finally got a good night's sleep after returning home.When she woke up the next day, Wang Fang's incense car had already arrived at her door.Hearing the servant's report, she remembered that she would go to Jingyuan Manor with Wang Fang to visit Roujia, she got up in a hurry, and sent someone to entertain Wang Fang, while hurriedly grooming, lightly put on some makeup, But he saw the housekeeper lingering outside the door with a look of hesitation.She frowned, walked to the door and asked, "What's the matter?"
"Ma'am." Seeing Jin Lan, the butler hurriedly made a bow, and said, "Just now the accountant said, this month's household..." Before he finished speaking, he saw Jin Lan's face darken, and he was so frightened Dare to speak again.He naturally knew that when such an important matter happened in the family, he really shouldn't bother his wife with trivial matters. It may be that there is no need to spend money if you don't eat, and Mrs. Wen doesn't care about things, so she can only bite the bullet and ask Jin Lan for instructions.
"Is it not enough for home use?" Jin Lan asked coldly.
"It's not..." The housekeeper said with a bitter face, "However, a few months ago, Tang Shouyi from the bank came over and said that he had a big business and needed some copper coins. More than 8,000 copper coins were all exchanged. This matter was reported to the eldest lady..."
Jin Lan glanced at him, and asked abruptly, "Is Tang Shouyi so out of money? Want to come to our house to exchange money?"
The housekeeper murmured: "I didn't know that at the time. But later I heard that Shaanxi's consistent withdrawal of money can be exchanged for 1,160 cash. Banks in Bianjing are trying to find ways to transfer copper coins to Shaanxi for collection." Hand over the money..."
"You didn't know at the time?" Jin Lan snorted, but she didn't pursue it any further. She was already shocked by the news.Although she doesn't understand the science of food and goods, the exchange of banknotes for copper is one-to-one. Although there will actually be a handling fee of a few thousandths, it is insignificant, but there is a coin exchange for one thousand and one thousand dollars on Shaanxi Road. Baiduowen handed over the banknotes, and related to what Wang Fang said last night, no matter how dull she was, she knew that there was a big problem with Shaanxi's money law.
"Didn't you come here to tell me what happened a few months ago?"
At that time, the housekeeper had indeed received the benefit of 20 Wen for each copper coin. Although he knew that Mrs. Gao Li was smart, he never dared to admit it. In the past two months, everyone has heard about Shaanxi. This month, Bianjing has to pay 1,500 yuan in banknotes in exchange for a consistent copper coin, and it seems to be rising... When you go out to buy things, the price of banknotes is the same. , One price. The land rent collected by the mansion, except for grain, is paid by customers in banknotes. However, if the servants of the family still pay monthly payments in banknotes, many families will not be able to make ends meet. Let’s go down. Now, no matter what, it’s 20 to 30% higher than last year, so let’s pay money and copper coins again..."
"You finish your sentence at once." Jin Lan was already impatient.
"Yes. The servants want to change the monthly money into copper coins, but if the banknotes from the mansion go to the bank to exchange copper coins, the loss will be huge. The young ones dare not make their own opinions. I want to ask my wife for an idea."
"It's okay for the subordinates to change the money. You can bring me a charter for how much money each person should increase. Go and tell Tang Shouyi that I will transfer this house to his bank to see how much copper money I can exchange for it? You take the money and hand it over." Go to the bank, how much money did you exchange that day, and return it to me as usual. He has really improved, and the business has come to his own home!" Jin Lan dropped these words, ignored the housekeeper, and walked away with a few girls. go.
But Jin Lan and Wang Fang went to Jingyuan Manor in vain, Rou Jia and Qing He were summoned into the palace by the Queen Mother early in the morning.Jin Lan originally wanted to wait for Rou Jia to come back with Wang Fang in Jingyuan Manor, but she didn't wait long when someone from the Shi Mansion came over with her family, saying that Mrs. Shi had invited her to the mansion, Jin Lan didn't dare to neglect her, so she hurriedly returned to the house. Wang Fang was entrusted to make amends to Roujia and Qinghe on her behalf, and then diverted to Shifu.After tossing around like this, it was already the middle of the corner when we arrived at Shifu.When she got to the door, she saw Ngawang already waiting there.She knew that although Awang was only a maidservant in Shifu, Shifu was one of the few hairpin houses in the Song Dynasty that treated their servants extremely equally. She heard that Mrs. Shi even allowed Awang to choose a son-in-law by himself!It’s just that for some reason, Awang seems to have never found her ideal person, but devoted great enthusiasm to Yiyuan——Shi Yue bought a small manor named "Yiyuan" in the south of Bianjing City for the sake of his daughter and used it as a school. ;Zi'er used her connections to persuade many ladies from famous families, and even invited disbanded old maids to teach in Yiyuan, teaching women's red, etiquette, piano, chess, calligraphy, and even arithmetic, Gewu and other subjects, attracting more than ten The court ministers of the family sent their daughters to study there, and even Princess Shushou, who is the most beloved by the officials today, often went to Yiyuan to study.Ngawang then taught zither playing and Yi language in Yiyuan.Jinlan followed Awang to the backyard, and said with a smile, "I don't know why my sister-in-law called me here?" But Awang replied with a smile: "In fact, it's because my husband wants to see the county magistrate, and it should be for the sake of the second son. However, two guests came to see Mr. Xianggong in the morning, and Mr. Xianggong has been talking with them for several hours..."
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