Daming Crazy Emperor

Chapter 18
In the north of Jinling City, at the wharf at the mouth of the Qinhuai River, more than [-] water transport ships arrived one after another, and teams of imperial guards disembarked quickly, enclosing the entire wharf and the nearby river bank tightly.

When the emperor went on a tour, none of the dignitaries and serving officials in Jinling City dared to neglect them. From the princes and counts, the six ministers, the governor, the governor, down to the experience, the mill, the inspection, the officials, etc., they all came early. When we arrived at the designated area near the pier, we waited respectfully.

Unfortunately, they did not see the shadow of the emperor in the end.

Because the emperor was already unwell, and there was too much cold wind blowing on the canal along the way, he was already bedridden, so naturally he couldn't meet anyone.

Therefore, they could only watch from a distance as the tightly sealed dragon chariot slowly passed by, and then went back to their respective homes.

The emperor is a bit crazy, this rumor has already been spread in the government and the public, but no one expected that the emperor would go to such a desperate toss.

Many people couldn't help cursing in their hearts, this lunatic, what are you tossing about, don't run around if you are not in good health, it caused everyone to stand on the riverside and blow the cold wind for several hours, something is wrong!
Of course Taichang is fine, right now he is sailing upstream to Tongling Wharf in Chizhou Prefecture.

In fact, he changed into casual clothes when he passed Yangzhou Prefecture, and left the fleet with a few large ships, because the first stop he went south was not Jinling, but Huizhou Prefecture, the hometown of Bi Maoliang and Bi Maokang.

There is no way, he still has dozens of carts of treasures, antiques, calligraphy and paintings, and the only ones who can exchange these treasures for silver for him as soon as possible are the world-famous Huizhou merchants.

He didn't want to wander around with dozens of carts of treasures, antiques, calligraphy and paintings, so he chose Huizhou Prefecture as the first stop on his journey south, and Tongling Wharf was the Yangtze River Wharf closest to Huizhou Prefecture.

The speed of the sailboat is not ordinary when going upstream. Fortunately, it will be straight winter, and the cold wind is howling on the river. Otherwise, several large water transport ships would have to hire hundreds of trackers to pull them.

The small fleet sailed along the river for another day and finally arrived at Tongling Wharf. After Bi Maoliang disembarked and rented dozens of carriages, Taichang took hundreds of Jinyiwei masters and a group of entourages ashore and went straight to Huizhou Mansion. .

Huizhou Prefecture is located at the southernmost tip of Nanzhili, more than 600 miles away from Jinling, and it is close to Huangshan Mountain. It is a typical hilly and mountainous place. Logically speaking, it should be a relatively remote and desolate place. Taichang originally thought that even if Huizhou merchants are famous all over the world, The boundary of Huizhou cannot be too prosperous. After all, the traffic is not developed these days. How many people are willing to go to the valley more than 600 miles away from the provincial capital.

Unexpectedly, starting from the Tongling Wharf, there will be continuous horse-drawn carriages along the road, and there are countless caravans coming and going. Even to Shexian County, the capital city of Huizhou, there is a lot of traffic. There are shops everywhere along the road, which is comparable to the streets of the capital.

With this situation, Taichang couldn't help sighing: "I didn't expect that a remote state capital located in a mountainous area can be so prosperous. If all the state capitals in the entire Ming Dynasty can become like this, then the common people will be blessed."

At this time, even Bi Maoliang, who was mature and prudent, couldn't help bragging: "Your Majesty, this is nothing. The twelfth floor of the Wu family in Xinan is called Qionglou Yuyu."

The Wu family in Xinan is the final destination of their trip, and they are not very far away from Xinan at this moment.

It is rumored that the Wu family in Xinan has been promoted to the richest man in Huizhou since the Wanli period. The family assets are simply impossible to estimate. In the middle of the Wanli period, the Wu family in Xinan had donated more than [-] taels to aid the Korean War twice. When Wanli was happy, he directly gave it to the Wu family. Five Zhongshu Scheeren.

This incident was once passed on as a good story, but I don't know why the Wu family didn't donate money to the court now.

You know, when Wanli aided the dynasty to fight against the Japanese, the Ming court was still relatively rich, but after the defeat of Saerhu, the Ming court was so poor that it was almost impossible to get rid of it.

Taichang couldn't help asking curiously: "I heard that the Wu family donated more than 50 taels to the imperial court during the Wanli period. Why didn't they donate even one tael at this time?"

Uh, this.

Bi Maoliang said in embarrassment: "Your Majesty, I heard that there is something wrong with the Wu family. I don't know the specific situation, so I don't dare to speak nonsense, and I ask the emperor to forgive me."

Can you not understand?
Your Bi family is the number one family of officials and eunuchs in Huizhou. Your brother, Huizhou Shuangbi, is a famous person who is famous all over the world. Ask your brothers for help?
Unless you two have a feud.

The problem is that the Wu family in Xinan was the first one that Bi Maoliang recommended to him, which proves that there must be no enmity between the two families.

Taichang immediately understood that the reason why Bi Maoliang recommended the Wu family in Xinan to him was probably not just to sell treasures, antiques, calligraphy and paintings.

He couldn't help asking: "Shi Gao, did the Wu family in the south of Xinan ask your brothers?"

Bi Maoliang heard the words and quickly explained: "The emperor forgives the crime. The Wu family did come to the door. However, I and Menghou are not at home. I really don't know what happened. I dare not lie to the emperor. The Wu family is indeed the largest merchant in Southern Zhili, and only the Wu family can take over dozens of carts of treasures, antiques, calligraphy and paintings."

Well, those who can donate more than 50 taels, let alone Nanzhili, I am afraid that there are not many in the whole of Ming Dynasty, even if they are vassal kings, not everyone can give more than [-] taels Silver comes.

After all, he has made such a great contribution to the court, this Wu family, please help if you can.

Thinking of this, Taichang smiled slightly and said: "I'm just curious to ask, it's okay to do a little favor, by the way, remember to call me son later, don't let it slip."

Bi Maoliang hurriedly cupped his hands and thanked the emperor for his kindness. Fortunately, they were in the carriage, if they were outside, they would have caused a sensation.

Master Bi of Huizhou Shuangbi is so respectful to others, who is this person?
Soon, the group of people came to a wide stone road, and the shops on both sides gradually became denser. Finally, the team stopped in front of a huge mansion.

The Wu Mansion has arrived.

Taichang didn't want to expose his identity, so naturally only Bi Maoliang could come forward at this time.

Bi Maoliang didn't go forward in person, he just handed a letter of greeting to Jin Yiwei beside the carriage, and then respectfully asked Taichang to get out of the carriage with him, together with Cao Huachun, Liu Shiyou, Luo Yangxing, Zhang Zhiji, Xu Yunzhen Waiting for someone to stand by the carriage and wait together.

Not long after the invitation was handed in, the gate of the Wu Mansion suddenly opened, and several servants walked out quickly carrying a roll of red carpet, spreading it from the gate until it reached the carriage.

Immediately afterwards, a slightly overweight middle-aged man ran out from the gate, ran up to Bi Maoliang in a few strides, kowtowed on his knees and said, "I pay my respects to Lord Bi."

Uh, you are also a member of Zhongshushe who was bestowed by the late emperor, and I am not wearing an official uniform, so what do you mean when you accept your head and worship?
It seems that the Wu family is in a lot of trouble!
Bi Maoliang glanced at Taichang in embarrassment, then bent down, raised his hands and said: "Master Wu, from my hometown, don't be so polite, get up, get up."

Hearing this, Wu Yangchun said "Thank you, Mr. Bi" several times, and then got up from the ground.

This is the beginning of thanks?
I didn't say I want to help you, the one who really wants to help you is the emperor!
Bi Maokang hurriedly stepped aside, and introduced solemnly: "Master Wu, this is Mr. Zhu, and he came to visit you specially."

Master Zhu?
Wu Yangchun was a little dumbfounded, who could make such a solemn introduction by the right servant of the household department? Whose son is this?
At this time, he realized that there was a long carriage behind them.

Could it be that Mr. Zhu is here to propose marriage?
He was in a daze, but Taichang had already raised his hands, pretending to cup his hands and said: "Master Wu, I have long admired you."

Uh, let's talk about it in the mansion.

Wu Yangchun quickly put away his puzzled expression, cupped his hands in return and said, "Thank you, Mr. Bi, Mr. Zhu, please come inside, please come inside."

(End of this chapter)