The best eunuch

Hanging Palace.This place was originally the place where the emperor listened to politics, but Zhao Ji himself couldn't remember how long he hadn't been here.Ever since Grand Master Cai released the three provinces of Zhangzhongshu, Menxia, ​​and Shangshu, Zhao Ji seldom intervened in court affairs and political affairs, and Cai Jing was in charge of everything.

This severe drought in Shandong can be regarded as an ordinary and extraordinary event.Ordinary is because during the Zhenghe period of the Northern Song Dynasty, natural disasters occurred almost everywhere in the country, such as the Fangla rebellion, such as the flood of the Yellow River, such as the locust plague in Henan, and so on.In contrast, a severe drought in Shandong seems to be nothing.

But there is something extraordinary about this matter.In the event of a natural disaster, the imperial court should have provided money and food for disaster relief, but now that the treasury of the Song Dynasty is empty, where will the money come from for disaster relief?In addition, Shandong is relatively close to Henan Province.Bianjing, the capital of the Song Dynasty, is the southern part of Henan Province.If the disaster relief is not effective, it is very likely that the group of Shandong men will rise up and go to Bianjing in an uprising.

In the Chuigong Hall, several court leaders from the Second Mansion and the Third Division are all sitting in the hall.The emperor Zhao Ji sat on the dragon chair directly in front of him.Among the Second Mansion and Three Divisions, the Second Mansion represents Zhongshu Menxia and the Privy Council, one is in charge of civil officials and the other is in charge of military generals.The three divisions are the Yantie Division, the Ministry of Household Affairs, and the Duzhi Division.The three directors of these three divisions are in charge of almost all the finances of Song Dynasty.

Zhao Ji looked at his five humerus ministers, and saw that the five looked at their hearts, looking like old monks in meditation.Zhao Ji said slightly angrily: "You guys are talking, there is a severe drought in Shandong, and hundreds of thousands of refugees are rushing to Bianjing. Did I ask you to sit and have a good time?"

As soon as Zhao Ji finished speaking, the other four of the five ministers all looked at Cai Jing and Grand Master Cai.Cai Jing tilted his head and thought for a while and asked, "Master Yan, have you ever calculated how much silver you need for disaster relief?"

The Lord Yan that Cai Jing talked about was Yan Kuan, the envoy of the Ministry of Household Affairs.Because the third department is under the jurisdiction of Shangshu Province, Yan Kuan stood up and saluted the emperor after being named by Cai Jing, and then saluted Cai Jing: "If you go back to the Grand Master, the humble position has already been calculated. If disaster relief is to wait until next year’s barley grows, at least 80 guan of silver will be needed.”

"80 guan?" Zhao Ji smacked his tongue slightly. The silver in the inner treasury that he had been hiding and was not willing to take out was only 60 guan.As for the silver in the treasury, Zhao Ji had already asked the transfer department before, and it was only 20 guan.It was discovered by Liang Xin's previous inspection of Shen's house, and it was military expenses reserved for Tong Guan in the northwest, so the Household Department did not dare to mess with it.

Cai Jing thought for a while, then shook his head and said, "Recently, the national treasury is empty, and 80 guan cannot be moved. It seems that we have to find another way."

"Think of another way? What way?" Zhao Ji asked.After more than ten years, he has become accustomed to asking Cai Jing about everything, and he himself is not willing to think about state affairs at all.

Cai Jing didn't answer Zhao Ji but glanced at Gao Qiu indiscriminately.Gao Lian was here to attend the meeting on behalf of the Privy Council. Not long after he took the post of Taiwei, he was trying his best to express himself.Seeing him glancing at him, Gao Qiu immediately stood up and saluted Zhao Ji, "Report to the emperor. I have a way to temporarily relieve the urgent need."

"Oh? Gao Aiqing has a way, so feel free to tell me." Zhao Ji glanced at Gao Qiu with a little appreciation. After all, Gao Qiu was brought out from Duan Wang's mansion, and his promising future can be regarded as adding honor to Zhao Ji. up.

Gao Qiu cupped his hands and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty. The minister's solution is to send troops to deport the refugees back to Shandong, to prevent them from rebelling. Then we will transfer the annual tax and food from Jiangnan and other places for emergency."

"Send troops to drive away the refugees?" Zhao Ji frowned slightly.He is not a pustule, and he knows very well that this is likely to be a rebellion between the government and the people.But for a while, he didn't think there was a better way, so he hesitated and couldn't make up his mind. "Master Cai, what do you think of this method?"

Cai Jing pondered for a while, and then said: "If it is really impossible to raise money for disaster relief, then this is a good way. At least it can ensure that refugees will not flood into Bianjing, and Bianjing can temporarily report stability."

Hearing that Cai Jing also supported Gao Qiu's opinion, Zhao Ji nodded: "Okay. If that's the case, then..."

"Absolutely not." Liang Xin, who had just sneaked into the Chui Gong Hall with ginseng tea, couldn't help but say.

Everyone looked at Liang Xin in a daze. At first, everyone except Cai Jing didn't know who Liang Xin was.But after looking at Liang Xin's familiar python robe, Gao Qiu and others immediately knew that he was the newly appointed Minister of Internal Affairs and knew Liang Xin.

Gao Qiu and Liang Xin had a feud, and he always remembered Liang Xin insulting his adopted son Gao Yanei.In the past, it was because of Yang Jian that he didn't dare to do anything about Liang Xin.But now that Yang Jianyuan is in the Yanjing Mansion, he is not afraid that a little sixth-rank man who has just ascended to the position will know it.

Gao Qiu reprimanded unceremoniously: "Bold, the courtiers are discussing matters here, and you, a little eunuch, dare to talk about state affairs?"

Liang Xin frowned and looked at Gao Qiu. Although it was the first time he met Gao Qiu, everything about Gao Qiu had been recorded in his west factory.Liang Xin sneered and said: "Gao Taiwei is serious. What is under discussion is not state affairs, but personnel affairs. The severe drought in Shandong has caused the people to suffer. As a member of the Great Song Dynasty, I feel that I have the obligation and responsibility to care about this matter."

"If you care about this matter, you care about this matter. This is the Chui Gong Palace. How can you have the right to speak?" Gao Qiu sarcastically said.

"Bold!" Liang Xin snarled and said, "As you said, this is the Chui Gong Palace. Do you think it is your home? The emperor hasn't even said whether to allow me to speak, but you open your mouth to reprimand me for not speaking Qualifications. Do you think you can speak on behalf of the emperor?"

"I..." Gao Qiu faltered for a moment, he didn't expect Liang Xin to be so powerful in beating back.He glanced at Zhao Ji, and immediately knelt down and said: "The emperor atones for his sins, I have no intention of presumptuousness, it's just a momentary aphasia, and it's just that I don't choose what to say."

Zhao Ji waved his hand and said, "Okay, what are you two arguing about at such a critical moment. Gao Qiu, get up. Liang Xin, please tell me why you think Taiwei Gao's method is not feasible."

Liang Xin turned his head and saluted Zhao Ji: "Your Majesty. In the event of a natural disaster, the imperial court can only come forward to relieve the disaster and appease the people. How can it send troops to drive away the refugees? If one is careless, and someone with a heart provokes them, the refugees will surely revolt. Rebellion, then the loss will definitely be more than ten times the amount used for disaster relief."

"Hmph! What kind of storms can the mere rioters cause? Besides, it's not that the imperial court doesn't want to come forward to help the disaster, but it has to be rich. 80 yuan, do you have it?" Gao Qiu sneered disdainfully.

Liang Xin turned around and gave Gao Qiu a cold look, feeling extremely contemptuous of Gao Qiu in his heart.Among the six thieves in the Northern Song Dynasty, there was no name of Gao Qiu. It wasn't that Gao Qiu was not bad enough, but that he was not yet popular.Among the six thieves, which one is not the most talented and brilliant generation.Gao Qiu, who was born as a small gangster in the market, has been able to ascend to the high position today, it is entirely a coincidence, and he has no shame in flattering horses, in fact, he has no ability at all.

Seeing Gao Lian's disdainful expression, Liang Xin said hotly, "Okay! It's only 80 yuan, and I'll take care of it."

"You're in charge? Do you think it's enough to just say a few words? The disaster is raging, and now you're boasting so much, what will you do if you can't pay for it?" Look at Liang Xin chasing after him like a vicious dog chasing food.

Liang Xin gritted his teeth and turned his head to salute Zhao Ji: "Your Majesty, I need three days. If I can't raise 80 taels within three days, I am willing to donate my head."

"Liang Xin. Gao Taiwei is right. The disaster is like a fire, are you really sure?" Zhao Ji liked Liang Xin very much, and didn't want him to fall into the hands of Gao Qiu's provocative method.

Liang Xin's expression calmed down at this moment, he cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, I would never dare to joke about the life and death of this country and the hundreds of thousands of refugees in Shandong. In just three days, if I can't raise 80 guan of silver, my minister is willing to Death to thank the world."

"This... well, then Liang Aiqing, I will rely heavily on you for the relief funds." Zhao Ji naturally hoped that Liang Xin would really come up with the money.He didn't want to cut off Liang Xin's head, and beheading him would not help the disaster relief.

Liang Xin nodded and said, "Your Majesty, please rest assured that I will definitely complete the task."

finished.Liang Xin thought for a while, turned to look at Gao Qiu and said, "Gao Taiwei, you dare to make a bet with me. If I can't get together 80 guan of silver within three days, I will be my head. But if I am lucky enough to be in three days If you collect 80 guan of silver within a few days, how about taking out another 90 guan of silver, Taiwei Gao, to make up [-] guan of relief funds?"

"One hundred thousand guan of silver?" Gao Qiu was slightly taken aback and said, "Where did I get one hundred thousand guan of silver to bet with you?"

Liang Xin smiled slightly and said, "Gao Taiwei, you are welcome. Your house on Xiafei Road is magnificent. I think it is worth [-] guan. Isn't it difficult?"

"Don't worry, Taiwei Gao. I won't take advantage of you. If I lose, I will also give you the house on Maple Leaf Street. You can send someone to have a look, my house is not small."

Liang Xin seemed to really want to bite Gao Qiu. Seeing that Gao Qiu was still hesitating, Liang Xin smiled lightly and said, "Doesn't Captain Gao dare not bet? If he dares, forget it. 80 yuan, It’s very stressful to think about it.”

"Don't dare?" Gao Qi squeezed his eyes and shouted as if someone had stepped on his sore feet: "Who says I dare not? Just bet."

"Okay. With the emperor's testimony today, if anyone dares to repent in the future, it will be deceiving the emperor." Liang Xin said.

"Hmph! As long as you don't regret it when the time comes." Gao Qiu said confidently. 80, which is not a small amount for anyone.Within three days, Gao Qiu couldn't believe that he would be able to make up all the money.

ps: The Dragon Boat Festival is coming, I wish all book lovers a happy holiday.In order not to tarnish the blessing, this time I will not ask for anything at the end.Hey, next chapter please.There will be a second update in a while...