I served as an admonisher in the Song Dynasty

Chapter 107: Bao Zheng, who specializes in treating difficult and complicated diseases, defeats ten groups with one force
Su Liang really didn't expect it.

Cao Guo's uncle Cao Yi, one of the eight immortals passed down in later generations, was actually a talker.

The best way to shut up a chatterbox is to let him finish what he wants to say.

After half an hour.

Cao Yi recited two of his articles, three poems and four lyrics to Su Liang.

After Su Liang heard this, he felt that it was a great blessing for the country that Cao Yi took up a military position instead of serving in a palace.

The contents of his articles are all about mandarin ducks embroidered quilts, landscapes and clear snow, talented scholars and beauties, and questions about seeking immortals...

The poems have a bit of the charm of Mr. Liu Qi.

But it is only suitable for singers to sing, and it is really difficult to achieve elegance.

"Uncle Guo's poems and essays have six parts of immortality, three parts of nobility, and one part of righteousness..."

Su Liang thought of a few words that were out of tune but sounded elegant, and after some praise, he turned to the topic.

"Uncle Guo, what do you think of this article? It was co-created by me and Bachelor Bao Xiren."

Su Liang handed the "Southern Suburbs Market Book" to Cao Yan.

"Co-created with Bao Xiren? Bao Xuesheng's writing style has always been like rain hitting plantains and lightning striking willow trees. It makes people awe after reading it. I want to take a look!" Cao Yi said with a smile.

Soon.

Cao Yi's face became serious.

In the eyes of many people, the relatives of the clan in Bianjing City are basically playboys with nothing to lose but nothing to eat.

In fact, most of them are deliberately clumsy.Close the door, one is smarter than the other.

Play to play, to make trouble.

When family interests are involved, they immediately become sober.

After reading it, Cao Yi looked at Su Liang and said, "Su Yushi, this article advocates the establishment of a market in the southern suburbs. What's the use to me? Shouldn't it be presented to the officials in person?"

Cao Yi's title for Su Liang changed directly from "Brother Jingming" to "Su Yushi".

Su Liang smiled faintly and said straight to the point: "Without the support of the Cao family, this policy will be useless."

"Then what should I do?" Cao Yi asked.

"Uncle Wang Guo made the Cao family take the lead in supporting the strategy of building a market in the southern suburbs!"

Cao Yi smiled and shook his head.

"Su Yushi, there are some bad rules in this plan! Once the southern suburbs market is built, life will be difficult for the relatives of the clan in Bianjing City. If my Cao family doesn't come forward to object, I'm afraid you will have to burn incense!"

The daily supply and supply transactions in Bianjing City seem inconspicuous.

In fact, it is rich in oil and water, and involves a wide range of interests.

Most of the relatives outside the clan live in Bianjing and cannot go out. Bianjing is also a gold-selling cave. They love face and spend a lot of money.

If we say, the imperial salary is their silver rice bowl.

The daily supply business in Bianjing is their golden rice bowl.

They rely on their privilege of reducing business taxes to manipulate the market and plunder oil and water.

There are over a million people in Bianjing City.

You can make a lot of money by controlling any daily supply transaction.

For example: Fan Lou.

The ingredients Fan Lou needs every day come from merchants who are members of the clan, and the price is five times higher than the normal market price.

But Fan Lou is proud of this.

Because some other foot shops that cost ten times the price may not be able to cooperate with merchants under the clan's descendants.

The descendants of the clan can attract a lot of business to Fan Lou and attract many noble people to frequent the place.

This is the upper-level logic of making money, which is all about privilege and human relations.

And the minions of the clan relatives, relying on the power of their master, are even more barbaric!

For example, the Cao family's horseman only earns four or five guan per month, but everyone fights for it.

Because there is extra money in it.

The Cao family's horseman can recommend familiar vegetable vendors, butchers, dry goods stores, etc. to the Cao family. As long as they deal with them, they can make a lot of money.

In Bianjing City, a dense network of interests has been woven with the relatives of the clan as the center and the merchants and servants as branches.

The relatives of the clan made a lot of money, and the businessmen made a lot of money.

Kaifeng Prefecture's tax revenue was swallowed up by nearly half.

As for the common people, the prices of goods are kept to the lowest level by those unscrupulous businessmen.

The southern suburbs market stabilizes market prices and makes transactions transparent and simple, which is a powerful tool to destroy this sick network of human relationships.

Su Liang thought for a while and said: "The Southern Suburbs Market is indeed intended to help the rich to help the poor, sacrificing the interests of relatives outside the clan, to benefit the court and the people!"

Cao Yi spread his hands.

"Yeah, how can I get my family to agree to such a strategy that harms the interests of the family? I'm still young, and I don't want to be in a state of decline in my old age when I don't even have the spare money to go to Sangjia Wazi to listen to music!"

After saying that, Cao Yi pushed the "Southern Suburbs Market Book" in front of Su Liang and already wanted to leave.

Talking to relatives outside the clan about the great righteousness of serving the country and the people is simply not feasible.

Because they don't care about it at all.

If we talk, we can only talk about interests.

Su Liang rolled his eyes and continued: "If I say that this strategy can consolidate Queen Cao's position as queen of the harem, would you be interested?"

"What does this policy have to do with my sister?" Cao Yan asked doubtfully.

"If this plan is successful, the Cao family will do great work. Brother Xiren and I will be grateful to the Cao family, and the people of Kaifeng Mansion will also be grateful to the Cao family. Even if the queen has no children, everyone will support her as the queen!"

At present, Queen Cao's status is very unstable.

She is nearly thirty years old, and the probability of having children is getting lower and lower.

If Zhang Mei gave birth to a dragon son and the officials impeached her on the grounds that "Empress Cao has no children and is no longer suitable to be the master of the harem", Zhao Zhen would most likely be deposed.

Zhao Zhen had already deposed a queen before.

Cao Yi knows this better than anyone else.

"Su Yushi, you are an admonishing officer in Taiwan. If you say something that is suspected of colluding with the harem, are you not afraid that I will sue the officials tomorrow?"

Su Liang smiled faintly.

"My heart is only for the country of the Song Dynasty. Even if Zhang Meiren gives birth to a son, her virtue is not suitable for the queen. Uncle Guo, I am not making conditions with you. Even if you don't help me today, I will support Empress Cao as the queen. But if the Cao family Only with the support of the people of Bianjing City can Empress Cao's position be more stable!"

"Besides, do you think the officials are unwilling to support the construction of the southern suburbs market? He has long been disgusted with relatives of the clan doing business and making profits, but he just lacked a proper opportunity."

"Competing with the people and the country in this way is not a strategy for the long-term prosperity of the Cao family. The officials and the queen are the backers of the Cao family. Without their support, the Cao family will collapse!"

"At present, the clan's relatives have become a cancer. If Queen Cao loses her throne and the officials want to take action against the relatives, the Cao family will probably be the first one!"

……

Queen Cao is the backer of the Cao family and also their weakness.

After hearing this, Cao Yi pondered for a moment, then stood up and held his hands heavily towards Su Liang.

"Uncle Gong (Cao Yi's cousin) received a lesson today. These words are directed to the elders in the family. After confirmation, I will reply to Yushi Su!"

Su Liang nodded.

Looking at Cao Yi's expression, he knew that this matter was almost going to happen.

After Cao Yan left, Su Liang couldn't help but murmured: "Brother Xiren, you have ordered this meal!"

……

The next day, afternoon.

Bao Zheng came to the front door of Zhao Yunrang's residence alone and handed over the name card directly.

Su Liang was worried about being accused of colluding with his relatives, so he chose to secretly meet Uncle Cao late at night.

But Bao Zheng was not afraid at all.

This kind of reputation of collusion between courtiers and relatives cannot be placed on him.

He is a person who wears "working hard for the public" on his face.

Even if the officials saw Bao Zheng in the brothel, their first thought would definitely be that he was here to investigate the case.

This is Bao Zheng's personality charm.

When Zhao Yunrang, the king of Runan County, saw Bao Zheng's name card, he thought someone in the mansion had committed a crime, so he hurried out to greet him.

Although his official rank is higher than that of Bao Zheng, he has no real power at all, so he naturally respects officials like Bao Zheng who have real power.

Soon, the two of them were sitting in the living room.

Bao Zheng worked very neatly and directly took out the "Southern Suburbs Market Book".

After Zhao Yunrang read it, Bao Zheng quickly informed Zhao Yunrang of the pros and cons of the matter.

If Zhao Yunrang objects to the "Southern Suburbs Market Book", Bao Zheng plans to thoroughly investigate the illegal things done by Zhao Yunrang's residence on the grounds of rectifying the commercial chaos in Kaifeng Prefecture.

If Zhao Yunrang supports the construction of the southern suburbs market, Bao Zheng will save face for him and safely separate him from the chaotic and dirty commercial trade in Bianjing City.

Two choices, the former wants money but not face, the latter wants face but not money.

Zhao Yunrang's life is not easy at the moment.

Because many people think that the official family will definitely have children in the future, and by then the backup Zhao Zongshi will have no chance.

Zhao Yunrang also knew very well that Zhao Zhen had always wanted to suppress some members of the clan.

He didn't want to be the first chicken that the officials killed to scare the monkeys.

Moreover, he had done many things that exceeded the rules by taking advantage of his clan privileges. If Bao Zheng found out and then impeached him, Zhao Zongshi might be implicated.

Zhao Yunrang's mind was spinning quickly.

He thought for a while and nodded directly: "I...I support it. I can support this matter!"

When Bao Zheng heard this, he cupped his hands and left.

From entering to exiting, the entire time only lasted more than a quarter of an hour.

Zhao Yunrang's back was soaked with sweat.

In Bianjing City right now, the person he least wants to provoke is Bao Xiren.

After half an hour.

Su Liang got the news that Bao Zheng persuaded Zhao Yunrang.

He heard the specific process and was stunned for a while.

This is really one effort to defeat ten.

The lethality that Bao Zheng brings to others is really too strong.

at dusk.

Su Liang received news from Cao Ji that the Cao family decided to support the construction of the southern suburbs market and were willing to petition in support.

……

The next day.

Su Liang and Bao Zheng appeared in Chui Gong Hall holding the "Southern Suburbs Market Book".

After reading it, Zhao Zhen murmured: "It's a good plan to slow down the congestion in Bianjing, bring together commercial goods from the north and the south, and protect the livelihood of the people!"

After he marveled, he shook his head and said: "What Fan Xiwen proposed at the beginning was also a good plan, but it may be difficult to implement it!"

"I wonder what the officials find difficult to implement?" Su Liang asked.

"It's not like those relatives from the clan, who are trying to protect their interests or even kill them, come to the palace to cause trouble. Apart from appeasing them, I really don't know what to do? This strategy...this strategy...let's put it aside for the time being!" Uh-huh!
Bao Zheng strode out.

"Officials, before we submitted this policy, we went to the Prince of Runan County and the Cao family. Both of them expressed their support for this policy and expressed their opinions at the meeting!"

"The Prince of Runan County and the Cao family actually support this policy? You two are really good!" Zhao Zhen became excited.

The ministers he needs are such ministers.

Coming to Chuigongdian is not to ask questions, but to solve them.

"This strategy is feasible and will be discussed in court tomorrow." Zhao Zhen immediately agreed, "In addition, please do not leak this in advance. Just inform the Cao family and the king of Runan County to go to court tomorrow."

"Your Majesty, I obey!" Bao Zheng and Su Liang said with cupped hands.

At this moment, Zhao Zhen also learned to be smart.

When discussing matters in court, opponents are sometimes not told to prevent them from coming up with countermeasures in advance and uniting to oppose.

……

The next day, the meeting.

After Zhao Zhen finished solving some minor matters, he looked down and said, "Bao Xiren, please explain in detail to the court the idea proposed by Kaifeng Mansion to establish a southern suburb market outside Bianjing City!"

"South Suburban Market?"

All the ministers were stunned, they had never heard of it.

The three old men in Zhongshu were all stunned. The recent officials seemed to be a little dissatisfied with Zhongshu.

Bao Zheng strode out and expressed his idea of ​​building a southern suburb market.

After listening, the ministers instantly understood the core meaning.

This is not to build a new market, but to operate on the relatives of the clan who are competing with the people for profit.

Swish!
Xia Song strode out and said loudly: "Officials, this move wastes people and money. It not only completely destroys the market order of Bianjing City, but is also unfair to the merchants of Bianjing City."

"The daily supply and supply transactions in Bianjing City are determined by the market. Suddenly building a market outside the city will alleviate the congestion in Bianjing, but... it will also cause many merchants in the city to lose their livelihood. It is really not worth it!"

Swish!
A courtier stood up.

"In the official family, the daily supply and supply business in Bianjing City is mostly handled by relatives of the imperial clan. This move is to rob them of their wealth, and it is easy to show that the saint's grace is scanty!"

"Officials, this is absolutely not feasible. Since the official investment strategy, the entire Song Dynasty has been promoting business, and the southern suburbs market has taken away the wealth of merchants and given it to the people, which is inconsistent with the official investment strategy!"

"If the officials implement this strategy, it will definitely cause turmoil in the business and trade of Bianjing City, and accidents will easily occur. Bianjing City is the capital of the world, with a population of millions, so accidents cannot occur!"

……

Dozens of officials stood up excitedly and spoke out against it.

Zhao Zhen looked around and stood up slowly.

"Let me make it clear! In addition to easing congestion, connecting north and south goods, and increasing people's income, the southern suburbs market strategy is what I value most is its ability to check and balance the clan's relatives and the people's profits."

"In recent years, relatives and some officials from the clan have devoted themselves to commerce and trade, using privileges to collude with merchants to seize court taxes and take advantage of the people. Do you think I don't know? When have I ever been short of these people in terms of rewards, but they are still like this Greedy. If this continues, the entire Bianjing city will be theirs!"

"Those of you who are standing up to oppose, do you have business in your family? You call me a man with little grace and a man who steals business profits. Those who make money with privileges should ask themselves, what are they doing with the money in their hands? Unclean? The businessmen I want to punish are not businessmen who abide by their duties, but those black-hearted businessmen!"

"The salary of eating the king is to let you share the worries of the king, not to hold you back and cause trouble for the court!"

Zhao Zhen said these words very domineeringly.

All the ministers below lowered their heads.

Just then, a voice sounded.

"I support the construction of the southern suburbs market and am willing to participate in it to share the worries of the officials!"

"The same is true for the minister."

When these two voices sounded, Du Yan, Chen Zhizhong, Wu Yu, Xia Song and other senior ministers in front could not help but be stunned and looked behind them.

They were wondering which official dared to take the lead in taking a stand.

After going to court, he was not scolded to death by those relatives of the clan.

Those relatives of the clan were very well-behaved in front of Zhao Zhen, and they even looked like they were not in good health.

But in front of officials, he can act up and yell at his father and mother.

but.

When the ministers saw the two people speaking, they all fell silent.

these two.

One is Zhao Yunrang, the king of Runan County, and the other is Cao Yi, the uncle of Cao Guo.

One is the eldest brother of the clan, and the other is the first family relative.

The officials suddenly realized why they had spoken so arrogantly just now.

It turns out that the two most difficult parties have already compromised.

Xia Song frowned slightly.

He had already seen that the officials had already discussed it with Su Liang, Bao Zheng, Zhao Yunrang, and Cao Yi.

Naturally, Xia Song also had business in Bianjing City.

But in his eyes, if the business is bad, it will be bad. There are too many ways for him to make money.

What he can't bear is——

There are already signs of reform in the court.

Starting from the official investment strategy, the official family has been induced by Ouyang Xiu and Su Liang to start reforms.

If things go on like this, these people will definitely let Fan Zhongyan, Fu Bi, Han Qi and others return to the court.

By then, there would be no place for Xia Song in the court.

This was something Xia Song absolutely couldn't bear.

Xia Song thought about it and realized that it would be useless to object at this time. He immediately lowered his head and thought about how to deal with this after the court meeting.

At this moment, the court hall was quiet.

Zhao Zhen's angry rebuke came first, while Zhao Yunrang, a relative of the clan, and Cao Yi's support came behind.

At this time, anyone who opposes is seeking death.

At this time.

Prime Minister Du Yan stood up.

"Official officials, the strategy of building a market in the southern suburbs does have merit, but this strategy was proposed for the first time in the court and needs to be considered carefully. I suggest that Zhongshu assist Bao Xueshi in drawing up specific regulations first, and then Distribute it to various yamen, and everyone will make plans and try to complete this matter while making Bianjing stable."

"Okay." Zhao Zhen nodded.

……

At night, Xia Song's mansion.

A middle-aged businessman who was as round as a ball stood in front of Xia Song.

This person's name is Hong Yide, and he is a very famous mutton merchant in Bianjing City.

His mutton supplies half of the main restaurants in Bianjing City, nicknamed: Yangbancheng.

"Xia Shuxiang, don't worry. This matter has harmed the interests of all our merchants. I... we are naturally not convinced. Tomorrow, I can gather at least three hundred merchants. As long as we go on strike, hundreds of shops in Bianjing City will be destroyed." , restaurants will not be able to operate normally!"

Xia Song nodded.

"Okay, tomorrow you will make as much noise as possible. As long as you don't hit anyone, I guarantee that no one will dare to do anything to you. If you can persist for ten days, the officials will definitely compromise!"

"Just take a look!" Hong Yide said, patting his chest.

……

The next day, the sky was slightly brighter.

More than 300 businessmen gathered near Zhouqiao.

These merchants all make money by selling goods.

In other words, it is a waste of money, using money to manage relationships to make profits.

The southern suburbs market is targeting these unscrupulous businessmen who destroy market prices.

Both sides of the Zhouqiao Bridge were lined with carriages, donkey carts, ox carts, and peace carts, and the river was also full of boats.

There were hundreds of people sitting in carriages and boats with bewildered expressions on their faces.

These guys don't know why they are going on strike. They are hired by merchants to sit here at a price of 120 cents a day.

They just have to sit here and say nothing.

At this time.

Hong Yide shouted: "Brothers, the southern suburbs market is for our benefit, and it is not a good strategy. We can never agree. If the court does not withdraw this strategy, we will continue to strike, and we will continue to strike!"

"I don't agree! I don't agree! Strike! Strike!"

On the Zhouqiao bridge, the sound was deafening.

These businessmen chose to make a fuss on Zhouqiao, obviously knowing how much they weighed, and even if they had the guts to do so, they would not dare to make a fuss in front of Xuande Tower.

The court's tolerance for scholars and businessmen was completely different.

Soon, Zhao Zhen learned the news.

He was very angry.

During the reigns of Taizu, Taizong and the late emperors, such scandals had never happened.

However, when he was emperor, first some students from Imperial College sat in meditation at Xuande Tower, and later businessmen from Bianjing gathered in Zhouqiao to go on strike.

If not handled properly, this will become a stain on his imperial career.

After Bao Zheng learned about this, he took the government servants from Kaifeng Mansion directly to Zhouqiao.

After a while.

Bao Zheng brought many government servants to the state bridge.

When the businessmen saw official officials coming, they shouted even more vigorously.

Some even cursed the imperial court for taking advantage of businessmen, which was very shameless.

Bao Zheng thought for a while, and with eight officials opening the way, he reached the highest point in the middle of the Zhouqiao Bridge.

He looked around and said loudly: "I am Bao Zheng and Bao Xiren!"

The sound fell behind, and the surroundings became silent for a moment.

Since Bao Zheng learned about Kaifeng Mansion, Bao Yanwang's name has been deeply rooted in the hearts of the people.

The case is handled quickly, the judge is ruthless, and the result is accurate.

Bao Zheng looked at the businessmen around him and asked, "Why are you gathering here?"

Hong Yide said: "Bao... Bachelor, the purpose of building the southern suburbs market is to steal the wealth of merchants like us. This is not a good idea. We are about to lose our livelihood, so we can only go on strike here to oppose it. I would like to ask Bachelor Bao, Let’s report our thoughts to the officials, we just want to live!”

Hong Yide said pitifully.

Bao Zheng looked around.

"Since the implementation of the official business recruitment policy, our government has been treating merchants more and more favorably. If you have any grievances, you can go to Kaifeng Mansion and explain it clearly to me. I will deal with it impartially."

"Bao... Bachelor, we are just going on strike to petition, and we have not violated any punishment. There is no need to go to Kaifeng Mansion!" A businessman said with some trembling.

Bao Zheng smiled slightly.

"You are so wronged, so naturally I want to uphold justice. I will also check whether the money you earned is clean? Take it all away!"

Upon hearing this, the merchants immediately panicked.

There are really not many clean people among them, and they may be picked up all at once.

　Starting tomorrow, two updates will be resumed!

　　
　
(End of this chapter)