prosperous age

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 tens of thousands of taels of silver are spent and there are no blisters, no one will be happy.

Empress Dowager Li is about to celebrate her birthday, so don't make any trouble.

"Master Hu has spent a lot of money. Let's do this. I will come from the capital with the money appropriated from the palace."

"No, no, no, Master Xu, you are slapping me in the face. Those are Eunuch Feng and your Excellency's hard work, 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. Lao Xu's kind words."

Hu Zigao said hurriedly.

"I heard that you spent a lot of money in order to be reinstated, so you still took the path of Xingfang. Did you ask Gao Gong to help you solve the problem?"

In one night, Dongchang had investigated all of Hu Zigao's past from Nanjing Jinyiwei.

All I know is that this man took advantage of his position as a capital official in front of the county magistrate and offended someone. I don't know how he was impeached and how he was reinstated.

Now, I know that during the period of mourning at home, this old boy not only ate, drank and had fun with his friends and family members, but 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 waited until he was about to resume his job 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 Naofang 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 Daxia Shao's activities, and he also helped Nao Fang solve some problems, and accordingly benefited from Nao Fang. It can be said that Gao Gong 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's reselling of ginseng was criticized in Shilin, the capital.

But after all, this matter is not a clue.

The ginseng is in his house, 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.

Gao Gong's relationship with Feng Bao was clear to him 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 one internal minister and one external minister, Hu Zigao dared to say anything.

"Master Xu, I am unjustly accused. Please believe me, I am definitely not a high-minded person. I just asked someone to make peace over trivial matters and asked for love.

Other than that, it has no connection with the high arch at all.

In fact, Xiaguan admired Eunuch Feng even more and wanted to pay him a visit for a long time, but he never had the opportunity. "

Hu Zigao defended hurriedly.

"Oh, is that so?"

Xu Jue mentioned this matter to let Hu Zigao know that he was not unfamiliar with him.

He is a factory guard, and there are very few things in this world that are not known to the factory guards.

"Speaking of which, Mr. Hu is also blessed with good fortune. After being named on the gold list, all the positions were filled with good positions. He stayed in the system for three years, and although he was beaten by others, he was still promoted to a full-sixth rank official.

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, and it'll be fine if you raise your hand, but you just changed your position as judge of the Salt Transportation Department to the director of the Ministry of Industry, haha."

Xu Jue smiled.

"Yes, yes, sir, what you said makes sense. Firstly, I am not Gao Gong's disciple, and secondly, I don't have any local friendship, so how could he bother about me.

When I first went 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 Mafang 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. It's a good saying. There really is nothing in this world that money can't solve, hahaha."

Xu Jue laughed heartily, and he didn't know if it was because of the tens of thousands of taels of silver. He was very happy at this time.

These officials, who have worked so hard to get money, are still not as good as a superior person like him, who can just talk and receive the money they have worked so hard to get with both hands.

Hu Zigao didn't answer, but just smiled sillyly.

"I see that you are good with money and know how to spend money to get things done. Do you still want to spend money to move around?"

Xu Jue put away his smile, then looked at Hu Zigao seriously and 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? Is a small judge enough to satisfy you?"

Xu Jue said in surprise.

Xu Jue didn't think that thirty-five thousand taels of silver was only worth a judge of the Salt Transportation Department.

If this is true, how much are the officials of the Salt Transportation 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. It set up the Capital Transport Salt Envoy Department to manage salt affairs. Whether it was the production and sales of salt, the collection of salt taxes, or the handling of salt-related cases, it was Its responsible.

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 whom are the main officials of Yunsi.

Each salt transportation department has one transportation envoy, one deputy envoy, one deputy envoy, and a different number of judges.

For example, the Yun Envoy is the chief official of the palm seal, and the Tongzhi and the Yun Envoy know the affairs together, and the deputy envoy acts as the deputy Yun Envoy, so there is one person for each person regardless of the number of salt grains (classes) in the Yun Envoy.

If the number of magistrates is not equal, 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 are three judges; the Changlu Transportation Division has two divisions, Cangzhou and Qingzhou. , there will be two judges; the Zhejiang Transportation Department has four branches: Wentai, Ningshao, Jiaxing, and Songjiang, and there will be 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 branch magistrates were to manage the branch's salt warehouse. They needed to collect salt taxes, arrange for ships and men to transport salt into the warehouse, and inspect the salt cashiers.

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 the power behind you is, 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.

Therefore, although the Salt Department is under the Ministry of Revenue, it is similar to the Cao Department 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 with great connections in the Ministry of Household Affairs and even in the court. The benefits are really too great.

Moreover, throughout the ages, the salt transportation line has been a source of wealth in government offices throughout the dynasties.

When Wei Guangde first arrived in the Ming Dynasty, he had the idea of ​​​​entering the salt industry, 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 shocked and naturally understood what the other party meant.

It seems that pushing myself back to the Salt Transportation Department to be a judge is a bit fussy, and it seems that it is not impossible for me to move up the ranks.

His heart was moved, and he immediately hit the snake and said to the stick: "Mr. 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."

"haha."

Seeing that Hu Zigao understood what he meant, Xu Jue felt very happy.

If one of our own people can get involved in 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 came to visit him for the first time. This shows how rich this official position is in a year.

"It's easy to talk about it. 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. The lower official also prepared another Bo Yi to honor Eunuch Feng, and asked Mr. Xu to take it back to the capital with him."

Hu Zigao's big head had already come out, so he would not let go at the last moment, so he said immediately.

He planned to go back and look for it again, and spent two to three thousand taels of silver to buy jewelry and jade, and distribute them to Feng Bao and Xu Jue.

Well, 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 beads and said with a smile: "With the gift presented by Mr. Hu, I think the Queen Mother will be very happy.

If the empress is happy, Eunuch Feng will also be happy. Just don't worry about your affairs.

It’s just that we are getting rich in the future, so don’t take credit for it because of Xu. "

"I don't dare. I'd like to thank Mr. Xu for your kind words."

Hu Zigao hurriedly bowed and said: "Since your Excellency will return to Beijing the day after tomorrow, I will ask for a private room in Yicui Tower tomorrow night to practice for Mr. Xu."

"Oh, hehe, good, good, good."

When Xu Jue heard that Hu Zigao was planning another banquet, 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 booked by the officials he has visited and made friends with.

These last two days were deliberately set aside by him just 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.

Considering the relationship between his 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 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 along 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 full of treasures."

This poem truly reflects the beautiful scenery and bustling market of this generation 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 boats and boats walking on the river, and every night there are birds and birds, singing and dancing, which makes people linger.

Although there are many famous river towers in this area, the most famous among them are Tingyun, Qinghe, and Yicui, all because the owners of these three towers are all popular celebrities who are excellent in both sex and art, and whose skills are unparalleled. Prostitute.

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 over the beauties from the south of the Yangtze River and couldn't miss Shu. He was very dissipated for a while.

After being 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 give in to yellow and white things, not to mention that the person opposite them 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 gentleman from the capital is named Xu. Please serve Mr. Liu attentively. I am very grateful."

Hu Zigao said.

"Knowing that Mr. Hu is here, the Nu family thought that Mr. Hu was here to show mercy and cherish his love, but it turned out to be like this."

Liu Xianglan pretended to be sad.

"Xianglan female history, do you think I don't have any sympathy for women?

From the moment I entered your door, I felt lost. "

"Then why did you give it 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, you are not too young to say that you are young, and you use your little girl to curry favor with a big man from Beijing. Is this considered a gentleman's behavior?" (End of Chapter)