The First Gongsheng of Ming Dynasty

Inside the theater.

A new piece of music is being performed on the stage, and guests are gathering. In the private room on the second floor, Zhang Zhou is leaning against the window, drinking tea leisurely, reading a book, and listening to the opera sung on the stage. .

For him, these plays were originally written by him, and he would never be interested in them no matter what.

However, there were two women, one large and one small, who were pinching his waist and beating his legs. They were Zhang Lushui and Chang Jin. Next to him, Wang Mingshan was sitting at the table, her hand always pressed on the saber. The general meaning was... If you two If a woman dares to act rashly, you can be decapitated in an instant!

When the outside scene reached its climax, the audience burst into applause, and a woman was led to the door by Liu Gui, and then walked in. She was the one who saved the family because of Zhang Zhou's protection, and became a member of the family. The Caihuang clan began to rise in China.

"I pay my respects to the Duke." When Caihuang saw Zhang Zhou, not surprisingly, she knelt down and saluted Zhang Zhou.

"Ah."

Zhang Zhou nodded and then looked sideways. Caihuang's head was lowered, and his eyes gave people a calculating look.

Then another person came in, it was Chen's daughter.

As for Chen's daughter, who was an "old acquaintance" with Zhang Zhou and was a person working under Zhang Zhou, when she saw Zhang Zhou, she only bowed and saluted, and stood aside.

At the door, Sun Shangqi was also seen, but Sun Shangqi did not come in.

"Get up and talk." Zhang Zhou said.

"Yes."

Mr. Caihuang then stood up, but still held hands and lowered his head, appearing very respectful.

Zhang Zhou said: "The local officials and gentry of Yongping Prefecture must also know about the previous shipment of overseas goods from Jiangnan. This time, the people from the South, especially those from Yingtian Prefecture, who donated shipbuilding, have recovered their capital at once, and they have also made a lot of profits. What do the officials and gentry say?”

Caihuang replied with a smile: "When all the local families heard about this, they all eagerly donated their wealth to you, sir, and tried their best to help you build the ship."

"Really?" Zhang Zhou threw the book to the side. Zhang Lushui hurriedly took the book, stood up and respectfully put it back on the table, then came back and continued to beat Zhang Zhou's legs.

"I dare not say anything false," Caihuang said.

"But I heard that the Yongping Prefecture seems to be a little dissatisfied with me, and some people even want to maliciously slander me." Zhang Zhou said.

Caihuang was shocked and said hurriedly: "It's absolutely not true. Now everyone knows that His Majesty has given Yongping Mansion to you as a fiefdom. From now on, it will be your own courtyard, and no matter which big family it is, They are all working for you, how can they not know the priority? I hope you, Sir, will not listen to the rumors outside."

"Oh, it's just a rumor, so I'm relieved."

Zhang Zhou just smiled, as if he didn't take it seriously at all.

Caihuang's soul was almost gone after experiencing this scare before.

Zhang Zhou said: "I promised before that the two iron ore mines in the south would be handed over to local officials and gentry to take care of them. Is anyone interested in taking over?"

Caihuang said: "Every family is rushing to get it, but no one can offer much money, and they are not very good at running iron mines. Finally, the Huang family...that is, my natal family decided to take over."

Zhang Zhou said coldly: "Does that mean you left such a good business to your mother's family?"

"That's not what I meant. It's true that no one dares to take over. We are in the limelight now. After several big families were convicted, everyone is silent. They don't dare to take over your business casually. The main reason is that they are afraid..."

What are you afraid of? Caihuang didn't say any more.

Zhang Zhou said: "I know, they are all afraid that I will exploit the local people and waste their money. It is okay. I am afraid that it is right. If the relationship is only based on intimidation and cannot be convinced, then I should offer some benefits." Come and let them know that I am also sincere."

Caihuang also looked a little embarrassed.

She was also thinking in her mind, now that everyone knows that you control the entire Yongping Mansion, how can you be sincere?

Everyone is scared to death, who dares to cooperate with you?

In other words, my family has to cooperate because of my relationship.

Zhang Zhou pointed at Chen's daughter and said, "What do you have to say?"

Ms. Chen said: "The output of the Datong Coal Mine in the first half of the year has been verified, and all the accounts have been sorted out. Except for the taxes paid to the local government, the rest will be distributed and transported to various places in the northwest according to your instructions." place to keep out the cold in winter.”

"Very good." Zhang Zhou nodded, "Datong has a lot of coal output, which can not only meet the needs of iron smelting, but also provide charcoal fire needs in various places in the northwest. The soldiers in the northwest should be able to have a warm winter this year."

Chen's daughter continued: "There were coals transported to Shandong, Jianghuai and other places, and a total of more than 67,200 taels of silver were obtained. All of them were transported to the capital in accordance with the instructions of the father-in-law."

"That's for the inner palace." Zhang Zhou said, "Your Majesty also needs a warm winter."

More than 60,000 taels of silver was not much to begin with, but it was not a lot at all as a warm gift to the emperor.

In addition to the more than one million taels of silver he had brought back from overseas, Zhu Youtang was now so rich that even Zhu Youtang didn't know where to spend it.

Zhu Youtang had approached Zhang Zhou before to discuss with him where he needed some expenses, and even wanted to leave some for Zhang Zhou to build his mansion, but Zhang Zhou politely declined.

"Where is Xishan?" Zhang Zhou asked.

Chen's daughter said: "The coal from Xishan is transported to Yongping Mansion and other places every month. The charcoal used by the capital's officials comes from Xishan. In addition, the charcoal used for iron smelting in Xishan is worth 600,000 yuan every year." For more than two taels of silver, the rest of the expenses will be more than one million taels."

The Caihuang family next to her couldn't help but feel envious after hearing this.

Compared with the Yongpingfu Iron Mine business, it seems that the coal mine business is the one that can make a lot of money.

Zhang Zhou said: "The next step is to prepare more coal and transport it to the Bohai Sea. Yongping Prefecture will build a seaport and shipyard this winter. A large number of craftsmen and laborers need to spend the winter there. The cost of transportation will increase in the future. Allocate one hundred thousand taels of silver from the previous budget to resolve the matter of lumber and transportation."

"Yes." Ms. Chen responded.

"You go ahead and bring in the batch of medicinal materials I mentioned before. The rest... I will inform you later."

Zhang Zhou left Chen's daughter in the capital to do chores for him.

The Chen daughter bowed and stepped back. Then Sun Shangqi and Liu Gui also left the door, and the door was closed.

Only then did Caihuang take out a list from her arms and hand it to Wang Mingshan who was standing aside. Wang Mingshan then handed the list to Zhang Zhou.

"Sir, this is the list of local officials, as well as local officials, etc. All the people who can be used are listed on it. They are all willing to do things for you, sir, and they have connections in the local area and can do things. ..." Caihuang served as Zhang Zhou's contact person.

In name, Zhu Youtang did hand over Yongping Mansion to Zhang Zhou.

But if Zhang Zhou wants to run a government, it is not enough to arrange a prefect. In addition to local large households, he also needs the support of some middle- and lower-level officials, and a complex interpersonal network needs to be established.

Zhang Zhou will not personally handle this matter, but will leave it to an agent.

This person is Caihuang for the time being.

It seems that no one knows the situation of local officials better than Caihuang, and this woman... seems to be very ambitious. Not only does she want to be the female head of the Huang family, she also wants to be Zhang Zhou's white glove and take care of local affairs for Zhang Zhou.

Zhang Zhou just glanced at the list, then put it aside and said, "I don't really want to use this group of people."

Caihuang said, "Do you have some arrangements, sir?" "Yes." Zhang Zhou nodded, "The imperial court will arrange for a group of officials to come there. From top to bottom, they will all be brand-new faces, and some old ones will be used in the local area." People, but they also have to be selected. They are just people who take the initiative to express their surrender. I would rather not use them. Of course, these people will not completely lose their power. They will be arranged to go to other prefectures and counties to give them some almost the same official positions so that they can continue to have Opportunity...haha, survive on a foothold."

Zhang Zhou did not completely break up with the local officials.

Instead, they decided to relocate them to other places. When they have benefits, they will no longer care about gains and losses.

Zhang Zhou just didn't want to kill them all.

However, Caihuang looked very nervous and said, "For outsiders, I'm afraid they may have some trouble if they are not familiar with local affairs."

Zhang Zhou said: "Are you worried that these people will not be under your control and it will not be convenient for you to give orders?"

"I don't dare." Caihuang quickly lowered her head and admitted her mistake.

"You don't need to tell me this. I will use you, but you are absolutely not qualified to represent me. It's enough that you have contacts with a few wealthy families and convey my ideas to them and let them listen to you. The rest of the local government affairs and other matters, are these things that you, a woman, should care about?" Zhang Zhou's tone was also a little cold.

You, Caihuang, have your own mission, which is to help contact local families.

Instead of trying to control local affairs.

You don’t have that ability, and no one will use you like that.

Caihuang lowered his head and remained silent.

Zhang Zhou continued: "After the decline of several large families such as the Zhao family, the power relationship diagram of local families will be reshuffled. Which family is qualified to gain a foothold in the local area is still a matter of my words. Go and tell them, Those who are willing to cooperate should stay, and those who are unwilling to cooperate should move out as soon as possible. I will also buy their fields and houses. Yongping Mansion will become the most important product place in the suburbs of Beijing in the future."

Caihuang said: "But sir, after all, Yongping Mansion is located in the north and the conditions are difficult. It is not suitable for developing things other than mining."

Zhang Zhou said: "You will know what is going on next spring. The promotion of new crops will first start in Yongping Prefecture. At that time, Yongping Prefecture will become a granary, coveted by people all over the world. By then, Yongping Prefecture will Big businesses in the area will enjoy the convenience. Of course, if there are any doubters or those who don’t want to cooperate with me, let them get out as soon as possible and don’t cause trouble for me.”

"Yes."

Caihuang heard the impatience in Zhang Zhou's tone.

There is an aura of if you like it, do it, but if you don’t like it, get out of here.

As the emperor's most trusted minister, Zhang Zhou now also has control over the entire Yongping Prefecture's local government affairs. It seems that Zhang Zhou really has the strength to defy everything.

"Sir, various families in Yongping Mansion have also sent some slaves. They will serve you with tea and water in the future. It is also the wish of each family. You see..."

Caihuang's next step was to give gifts to Zhang Zhou on behalf of each family.

It is not possible to send money directly. If you want to send money directly to the mine or shipyard, it will be fine. As for saying goodbye...it seems that Zhang Zhou doesn't care about it either.

Just send the slave directly.

Zhang Zhou said: "I'll thank them first. It happens that Yongping Prefecture is full of waste and needs help. Then send people to the Bohai Shipyard. There are docks and ports there, and there will be a big yard to take charge of the place." For construction and other matters, we will directly handle them for the construction department over there."

The so-called Construction Department is a temporary office set up specifically for the construction of Bohai shipyards and ports.

This yamen is not directly under the responsibility of the imperial court, but is more like a small yamen established by Zhang Zhou himself. But in fact, the main errands are handled by Jinyiwei. Later, Sun Shangqi served as the person in charge of the construction department, and a Jinyiwei Qianhuying People and horses will be transferred there to take charge of security and public order.

Caihuang said: "It's okay to send ordinary slaves over, but some... it's better for you to stay in the capital, sir."

Mr. Caihuang looked a little embarrassed, as if he didn't want to speak clearly.

But Zhang Zhou knew what it meant when he saw it.

It is said that it is a gift for a slave, but in fact it is also a gift of beauty. If it is an ordinary slave, or even some with a happy or miscellaneous status, it is not a pity to be sent directly to the shipyard to do odd jobs.

But he was afraid that some women were deliberately selected by various families to give him "gifts" to Zhang Zhou. These women did not seem to be suitable for those hard errands.

It should be a canary in a cage.

"They really tried all kinds of tricks to win over me. I thanked them first." Zhang Zhou said, "But as a minister of the DPRK, how can I accept gifts from others casually?"

Caihuang said: "Sir, you know the situation of each family. They will obey your orders from now on. This is also their intention, and it will not affect your... reputation. In name, this They are all sinners, and they should be able to be distributed and bought."

"Yeah. Okay, let's stay in the capital."

Zhang Zhou didn't refuse either.

He always seems to be repelling others, which doesn't seem to make people feel comfortable doing things for him. Sometimes he still has to appear "reasonable".

"After I get back, I will make arrangements for you, the Duke of the State." Caihuang seemed to feel at ease and said with a sigh of relief.

……

……

It's quiet at night.

After Caihuang met Zhang Zhou, she took a small sedan and arrived at a courtyard in the city. After handing the official documents to the gatekeeper, she entered.

In one room, a woman also just got up and tidied up, and came out to see her.

Because it was already late autumn, this woman was not wrapped in many clothes, and her body was still shaking slightly after seeing Caihuang.

"My aunt looks more cheerful and prosperous."

The person Caihuang saw was his younger brother's wife, Huang Zhao, who had just been divorced by the Huang family.

"Mrs. Cai, you are laughing." This woman tried her best to maintain her demeanor, but she was probably in jail, or even guilty, so she couldn't be strong.

Caihuang said: "I have already inquired about the things you asked me to inquire about. Except for a few people named Zhao who are far away in the south of the Yangtze River and I don't know the outcome, the rest... none of them are safe. I said before. He was to be sent to Liaodong or Northwest China, but later the court changed and he still stayed in Yongping Mansion, but he was sent to serve in the shipyard along with his criminal record. From now on, he will do hard work."

Mrs. Huang Zhao said: "As long as people are still there, there is still human touch. It seems that I can still see them in the future."

"hehe."

Caihuang said with a proud smile, "Others can see it, but you can't. I have arranged a good place for you. Others will go to Yongping Mansion, but you will continue to stay in the capital."

"You...are you saying that I am the Secretary of the International Education Center?" Huang Zhao became obviously nervous.

After all, she was an official lady in the past and married into a married woman. Now even if she and her husband's family are reconciled, she will have a place to go in the future. If she enters the Jiaofang Division... then she will be reduced to the world and there will be no peace.

Caihuang smiled and said: "Can you get used to a thin-skinned person like my aunt going to the Jiaofang Department to welcome and send you off? In fact, I am sending you to Cai Guogong, but you will not enter Cai Guogong. The mansion is, at best, an outhouse. As for where Guild Cai will place you in the future, it’s hard to say. After all, you still have a place to stay, which is much better than most of the people in your Zhao family. They will be slaves in the future. As a maid, it’s hard to say how many days I can survive.” (End of Chapter)