As soon as Jiangmen Jiaojiao opened her eyes, she was paranoid that the prince had come to steal her

Chapter 496
Yun Qi said calmly: "There are many poor people in this capital, but there are also many wealthy princes, nobles, relatives, and merchants. A lantern worth ten taels of silver is nothing to these people."

"It is."

Xie Zhaozhao nodded, with the hesitation that had just arisen in her mind, and the koi lantern in her hand was slowly placed back on the table.

She frowned and said, "Aqi, you just said that those lamp stands were placed there to smoothen the relationship between North Korea and China so that there would be a chance. Doesn't that mean... collusion between government and businessmen?"

"The words are ugly, but they are also true."

Yun Qi's eyes followed the slightly opened boat and turned to the lights flickering on the river bank outside. The crowd was shouting, "Those lamp stands were originally issued by the imperial court for bidding documents, and there is a threshold."

"If you want to compete for those positions, you must prepare an entry fee of 500 taels of silver, but there are only a few people who can really compete."

"Most of the other people paid the fee in vain and prepared their own lanterns to send, but in the end they all came to nothing. The styles of the lanterns they sent would be moved and used by others."

"In the past few years, the annual festival has become bigger and bigger every year, and these situations have almost become unwritten rules."

Yun Qi looked away and took a breath, "The government office responsible for the New Year's Day has a large amount of oil and water income every year. The merchants who can go there and put up lamp stands don't actually care how many lamps they can sell."

"There are only two days of New Year's Eve and Lantern Festival every year, so we sell more lanterns. Business is average on other days."

"And they don't earn money from lanterns, they earn entry fees from ordinary merchants."

Xie Zhaozhao's face darkened slightly, "How could this happen? Doesn't the government care about it?"

"It's manageable, but it's complicated and hard to manage."

Yun Qi picked up the koi lantern and played with it, "The day before yesterday, after I returned to Beijing to meet the Holy Spirit, I saw my father frowning when I returned to the East Palace. After checking, I found out that it was because of these things."

"Corruption in the DPRK and China is becoming increasingly serious, and drastic rectification may be needed in the coming year."

Xie Zhaozhao frowned: "Fortunately, I have His Highness the Crown Prince."

"Okay!" Yun Qi put down the lantern casually, "Let's not talk about this anymore. I finally came out to relax today and watch the performance. See if there is anything you like. We will go to the house to raise it. You can see it whenever you like.”

Xie Zhaozhao smiled and said: "I heard that the performers are all women. If you really want to invite me back to raise you at home, wouldn't that be a feast for your eyes?"

"will not."

Yun Qi said quietly: "My eyes are full of pleasure just seeing you alone, and I have no time to look at others."

Xie Zhaozhao's smile widened, and his fingertips couldn't help but fall on the corners of Yun Qi's lips, "Ah Qi, Ah Qi, why are you so good at talking? Come here and let me taste if your mouth is covered with honey?"

Yun Qi's eyes dimmed: "You are so far away, can you see clearly?"

Heat sprayed on Xie Zhaozhao's fingers as he spoke.

Xie Zhaozhao's fingertips shrank, remembering the time he was pressed into the chariot and making trouble, he immediately pulled his hand back and sat upright, "The performance is about to start, I have to take a closer look. If I really like it, I will take it home and raise it." "

Yun Qi chuckled, "Coward."

Xie Zhaozhao was too lazy to pay attention to him, because on the river outside the window, the boats preparing for performances had slowly sailed in, and the music was playing melodiously.

The position where Yunqi and the others stayed had a good view, and they could clearly see women dancing in gauze, dancing on the carpeted deck.

The music is melodious, and their dancing postures are graceful and graceful. You can still see their slender waists, white calves and bare feet among the flying clothes.

Xie Zhaozhao couldn't help but blink, "It's such a cold weather, it's difficult for them... Where do these women come from? Are they from Lefang?"

"Not really."

Yun Qi was not very interested. He glanced at it briefly and then turned away and fanned himself, "They are all kabuki performers from Baihua Alley in front of me. I came here to perform here today just to gain fame for my flower house." Once you gain fame, you will have success. The more customers come, the more money you will earn.

"Oh……"

Xie Zhaozhao nodded.

Baihua Alley is the famous Fireworks Willow Alley in Beijing, which contains Qin Tower and Chu Pavilion.

Xie Changyuan used to be a frequent visitor there.

Xie Zhaozhao lay down at the window and watched the women singing and dancing. There were all kinds of people on the shore cheering and cheering, and his eyes widened.

Dancing here in cool clothes in the winter is the way of life for these women. Selling lamps on lamp stands is the way of life for those wealthy merchants. There are also many people of different religions, traffickers and pawns...

There are tens of thousands of people in the world, each with his own way of living, and each profession has its own rules. The court also has laws and regulations to maintain the order of life.

If someone breaks the rules and makes it difficult for honest and peaceful people to survive, that is a serious crime!
Xie Zhaozhao suddenly said: "Does your Shen Wanwan have any property in Beijing?"

"Yes... the capital is the most prosperous and prosperous place in the world. If you want to make more money, you must be able to establish a firm foothold in the capital."

Yun Qi smiled faintly and said: "How can we collect the military supplies he sends to my Xuanjia Army every year if we only rely on a few shabu-shabu shops? He entered the capital to open a trade route in his early years, and now he is very popular in the capital. Some industries.”

"He is just a very low-key person. Not many people know him."

"Oh."

Xie Zhaozhao nodded, "Then if we want to investigate collusion between government and businessmen and corruption, I think he can help?"

"Still thinking about it?"

Yun Qi chuckled lightly and hit Xie Zhaozhao on the forehead with the handle of the fan across the table, "Of course I know these things well, and there are fathers and other officials in the court, so don't worry."

"I'm not bored...forget it, I won't watch anymore, let's have something to eat."

"it is good."

Yun Qi led Xie Zhaozhao to the table.

The two of them didn't eat much during the palace banquet. After setting off the lanterns, Yun Qi took Xie Zhaozhao back to change clothes and ran to Qingfeng Tower. He was supposed to have some food delivered to him at that time.

But I wasn't too hungry at that time, and now I am finally a little hungry.

The food was delicious, and Xie Zhaozhao couldn't help but take two more bites. While drinking the soup, Xie Zhaozhao suddenly remembered something, "Aqi, did something happy happen to Princess Anyang?"

"how?"

"When I saw her today, I felt that she was dressed very smartly... She was not like this before, she was very plain."

"Oh."

Yun Qi nodded, "Aunt Anyang has always kept a low profile and doesn't travel much with other governments. Especially after her husband died of illness, she has been living in seclusion."

"I know this. I only met her once or twice at Concubine Xian's place by chance during the holidays, and she rarely spoke. So this time she suddenly dressed up and even asked me to talk to her for a few words, which made me particularly curious."

Xie Zhaozhao thought for a while and said, "She asked me about my eldest brother and my second brother, and she seemed to be very familiar with them and caring about them."

(End of this chapter)