Wei and Jin Cooks

Zhao Hanzhang came in and saw a jade object nearly one meter high placed on the table, with two red birds carved on the left and right sides, holding a jade ring in its mouth.

As soon as he saw her, the object of Zhao Hu's show off immediately turned to her, and he introduced her with a smile, "This jade statue of a vermillion bird with a ring in its head and a tiger on it is a treasure of the Han Dynasty palace. It has high relief, bas relief, openwork, and Whether it was hollow carvings or flat carvings, not to mention hundreds of years ago, even now, it is not easy to do so many craftsmanship on a jade statue."

Zhao Hanzhang took a closer look and nodded in admiration, "Not bad, good skills."

Zhao Hu stroked his beard proudly and said to her: "This is a gift for your mother...the Queen Mother."

 Wang’s birthday is coming.

Wang, who was standing on the side, said quickly: "This gift is too precious. I can't afford it. Uncle, please take it back quickly."

Zhao Hanzhang nodded and said to Zhao Hu: "It's too expensive, and my mother doesn't like drinking, so it's useless to use this jade."

Zhao Hu: "The Queen Mother doesn't need it, but you can always use it, right? The gifts have been given out, what's the point of moving them back?"

  Zhao Hanzhang: “If I don’t receive any reward for my merits, I won’t even dare to accept it.”

Zhao Hu was unhappy because he couldn't even send out gifts. He couldn't help complaining on the spot: "I didn't ask for any favors from you. You ascended the throne and my family has two princes. I was happy, so I wanted to give you a good thing. Why don't you return it?" If you don’t accept it, it would be too pretentious.”

Zhao Hanzhang said: "This gift is too heavy. It is not appropriate to give it to me or to the Queen Mother. Today, the palace has received a generous gift from my uncle. Tomorrow, there will be rumors among the powerful and wealthy families that I and the Queen Mother are very fond of expensive jade and jewelry." Wine vessels, some people began to try their best to send all kinds of valuable jade and wine vessels to the palace."

Zhao Hu: "What's wrong with this? The world belongs to you. Just accept what they give you."

"For a capable person like my uncle, he earned the money for the gifts himself, so I accept it without any regrets. It is just a matter of friendship between us, grandfather and grandson. However, there are always some people in this world who do not have this kind of wealth and do not have the money to give gifts. With this ability, when I saw others giving gifts, I thought that I couldn’t lag behind others, so I started to think of ways to make money.”

"Officials directly plundered from the people, and powerful officials joined forces to plunder from the people, and the cycle continued. In the end, I ate the people's fat and used the people's ointment. I also remembered the good deeds of these people, and mine The country has been riddled with holes by them, do you think it is hateful or not?"

Zhao Hu frowned.

Zhao Hanzhang said: "Let's not mention whether they are hateful or not, but I, a person who accepts gifts without restraint, are really hateful. If I didn't know the inside story and accepted it ignorantly, I would be so stupid and hateful. If I knew the inside story but accepted it clearly, it would be even more hateful. Hateful. So, I can't accept this gift, otherwise I will become a hateful and hateful person."

Zhao Hu: "...You are always reasonable, but I can't tell you anything."

Zhao Cheng exhaled, saluted Zhao Hanzhang with a serious face and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your consideration."

 He turned to look at Zhao Hu.

Zhao Hu shrank his neck and turned his head away from his son in fright.

Zhao Cheng frowned, but he didn’t say anything in front of others. He just said coldly: “Father, it’s better not to give such heavy gifts in the future.”

Zhao Hu's breathing became rapid, and Zhao Hanzhang immediately smiled and said: "Uncle, I can't keep this jade bowl, but if there is a banquet at home, you can invite me to drink a few glasses of water and wine. Then I will use this jade bowl to serve the wine. Even if it’s used, isn’t it the best of both worlds?”

Zhao Hu immediately smiled and said, "Yes, Your Majesty has thought carefully."

Because his mood improved, Zhao Hu also became more generous, "Your Majesty and we borrowed the food and money last year. Because of the three consecutive months of floods this year, they are willing to postpone it until next autumn."

 That was the grain borrowed last year to recover Jiangnan.

Zhao Hanzhang couldn't help but feel grateful, and asked someone to choose a lot of silk and satin from his private treasury and give it to Zhao Hu.

Although Zhao Hu is not lacking, the meaning of the rewards from the palace is different.

Zhao Hu was very happy and talked to Zhao Hanzhang frequently during the meal, "I have prepared the caravan for the westward journey. Your Majesty took the map from Zhang Shi..."

Zhao Hanzhang said: "I have asked the bookstore to print it. Didn't Seventh Uncle buy it?"

 “Is there no more details?” There is always some backup, right?

 Zhao Hanzhang shook his head, "Only this. Zhang Shi has been to Dunhuang himself, and he also has a guide who has been to Kang State."

Zhao Hu quickly asked, "Your Majesty, can you help me get a guide?"

Zhao Hanzhang smiled and said: "I can't steal the talents of my subjects."

Zhao Hu curled his lips and decided to go by himself. He asked Zhao Hanzhang, "If I can get back cotton seeds, will you really give me ten gold per pound?"

Zhao Hanzhang nodded, "As long as the seeds are sent to the court before the fifth day of August and are confirmed to be viable and ready for planting, I will definitely fulfill my promise."

Zhao Hu was very curious, "The clothes made from this cotton are so beautiful, why are you willing to spend so much money?"

Zhao Hanzhang said meaningfully: "When cotton blooms all over the mountains and fields, our seventh uncle will understand when he uses cotton."

Zhao Hu wanted it even more and decided to let the caravan set off when he returned.

Zhao Hanzhang reminded: "Seventh Uncle, it is already August and the Western Regions are starting to get cold. By the time your people arrive in the Western Regions, I am afraid it will already snow and the roads will be more difficult to walk."

Zhao Hu: "Is there anything in this world that is not difficult? I only care about the results. I don't care how they achieve it."

 He also gave the caravan a lot of money.

After all, the journey to the Western Region is difficult. Although he is full of confidence and thinks that the caravan will definitely be back in a year, who knows if there will be any accidents?

 So Zhao Hu prepared a lot of goods for them, including silks, porcelain, glass, tea, and even combs, hand warmers and other goods.

Zhao Hu said: "I don't care how you sell all the goods on the road. The price must not be lower than the price I gave you. At least 30% of each kind of goods must be sent to Kangguo and Dawan."

"When you get there, you can sell them at the market price. At this time, regardless of the price, don't just buy all the cotton seeds with the money you get. You should also look at other rare things. If they are not available or rare in the Central Plains, buy more. Come back some."

After careful consideration, Zhao Hanzhang directly recruited people in the court and asked who was willing to go to the Western Regions.

Zhao Xin thought for a while and then went out.

Zhao Hanzhang said: "I am going to the Western Regions not only to buy cotton seeds, but also to establish diplomatic relations with the countries in the Western Regions, open up the trade route in the Western Regions, and tell the countries in the Western Regions that a new country called Hua has been established in the Central Plains."

 Zhao Xin calmly raised his hands and said, "I will fulfill my mission."

Zhao Hanzhang appointed him as his envoy, handed him his credentials, and asked him, "I will give you five hundred soldiers and horses to form an envoy, and you can choose the people you want."

Zhao Xindao said: "Since I am following Prince Zhang on an envoy, I don't need to bring so many people with me. I only need an interpreter."

Zhao Xin can speak Xiongnu and Xianbei. Because he once went to Shu as an envoy, he can also speak some Di languages. However, there are many countries and tribes in the Western Regions, and these few languages ​​are obviously not enough, so he needs someone who is proficient in various languages ​​of the Western Regions. translator.

 Zhao Hanzhang looked at Ji Yuan.

Ji Yuan was also a little stuck, but Zhao Cheng came out and said: "I know a person, a clerk in Taixue. He is proficient in various languages, and he can also speak the languages ​​of the Western Regions. He is also knowledgeable and can memorize the language. He can remember the language after listening to it twice. , and be able to understand its meaning."

As soon as Zhao Hanzhang heard that he was so powerful, he immediately asked: "If he is so powerful, why is it that no one recommends him and he only works as a clerk in Taixue?" Zhao Cheng paused and said: "He...he is disabled."

Ji Yuan suddenly realized, "Zhao Jijiu is talking about Shanfeng, right?"

 Zhao Cheng said: "Yes."

Zhao Hanzhang looked puzzled, and Ji Yuan explained: "Your Majesty, Shan Feng was once a clerk in Honglu Temple in the previous dynasty. In the first year of Yong'an, Sima Yong and Sima Ying attacked each other in the capital, plundering the people with their troops, and Emperor Hui was captured. The two of them robbed, Shan Feng cursed the clan in the street, and then entangled the people of Luoyang to fight back, saying, saying..."

 Zhao Hanzhang: "What did you say?"

"It was said that Sima did not deserve to be the emperor and raised the flag of rebellion." Ji Yuan said, "He was captured and imprisoned for this. He was originally going to be executed in Ling Chi, but it happened that Sima Ying was expelled from the capital and Emperor Hui was kidnapped by him. Sima Yong wanted to After snatching Emperor Hui back, he left the capital, and his life was saved in this way."

Later, Sima Yue won in the end and not only captured Emperor Hui, but also poisoned Emperor Hui to death. Shan Feng, who was sentenced to death by Lingchi, was still in prison.

Ji Yuan knew about him because Zhao Changyu sympathized with him and thought that he would raise the flag of rebellion because his wife and daughter were killed by the rebel army. He was already insane and irrational at the time, so after Sima Yue came to power, he wrote a letter to replace him. He begged for mercy.

Although Shan Feng was not pardoned in the end, Sima Yue did not let the court execute the sentence, and he was kept in prison in a daze.

It wasn't until the second year of Yongjia that Wang Mi and Liu Cong invaded Luoyang. Most of the people in the city fled, and all the government officials in the prison also ran away. Then he climbed out of the prison.

　　Although he came out, his face was tattooed and his legs were lame. He was homeless and could only be a beggar on the street.

At that time, Luoyang was under the control of Zhao Kuan. How could he allow idle beggars to exist under his rule?

So all the beggars were dragged to register, and the fields, seeds, and tools were distributed for farming. Because he had a tattoo on his face and was lame, no one wanted to go with him, so he especially attracted Zhao Kuan's attention.

Zhao Kuan saw that he could not do anything but could only write, so he made him work as an inconspicuous clerk in the yamen.

 When he left Luoyang, he sent him to Imperial College and handed him over to Zhao Cheng, who continued to work as a clerk for Zhao Cheng.

 Zhao Cheng strongly recommended him and was willing to endorse him.

Zhao Hanzhang said: "I want to see him."

Xunfan frowned and said, "Your Majesty, this person is a criminal from the previous dynasty and has not been pardoned. How can he become an official in the dynasty?"

Zhao Hanzhang nodded and said: "What Taifu Xun said is reasonable. When I see him, if he is really capable, I will pardon him."

The officials who held the same opinion as Xun Fan choked. If she said "he is innocent" or "not guilty", then they would have to defend themselves, but what she said was his talent, and everyone could not find anything to object to. .

The guards went to find Shan Feng, and they came to discuss the next matter, "This year's autumn harvest is about to end, and the next step is to collect taxes. Do you have any suggestions?"

The ministers' suggestion was to reduce taxes. Xun Fan said: "Throughout the dynasties, those in power only had to do light corvees and pay small taxes, and rest with the people. The people would adjust and regain their vitality, and the court did not need to interfere too much."

 All officials agree.

Zhao Hanzhang nodded, "Yes, how can I ensure that my frivolous talents reach the place and are not taken over by some corrupt officials?"

Ji Yuan said: "As in previous years, the imperial decree was first published through the Di newspaper; second, students from various schools were ordered to preach in the countryside; third, government officials were ordered to spread throughout the countryside, from the county to the village, and then to the villagers, publicizing it at all levels to ensure that everyone It can be seen that the taxes and donations reduced by the imperial court."

 Zhao Hanzhang nodded, "Is there any more?"

Ji Yuan said: "Send the imperial censor to inspect the states and counties to ensure that the government orders are passed and to rectify the administration of officials."

Ming Yu and others all agreed.

Zhao Hanzhang asked, "Who should be responsible for inspecting and rectifying the administration of officials?"

Ji Yuan was silent for a moment, waiting for the officials below to recommend themselves.

 But before they had time to recommend themselves, Ming came out in advance and said: "Your Majesty, I have someone to recommend."

 After receiving Zhao Hanzhang's signal, he clearly indicated: "I think Fan Shilang is suitable."

When Fan Ying, who was standing in the front row of officials, heard this, she immediately stepped out of the queue and bowed: "Your Majesty, I am willing to go."

 Among the hundreds of officials, many people trembled. Among the officials arrested for corruption and dereliction of duty in the past two years, six out of ten were arrested by Fan Ying.

Even though she is a girl, she acts cruelly and decisively, and no one can plead for mercy.

Zhao Hanzhang smiled, nodded and said, "Okay, I'll leave this matter to Fan Qing. I order you to be the inspector-in-chief, and you will be responsible for the censors in the world."

 Fan Ying responded.

Zhao Hanzhang asked again: "Having a rest with the people and not interfering with the people means less labor. But I think there are few people in the world who don't like to make money. After the autumn harvest, most people will be free. If you can make some money at this time, Just make money to celebrate the New Year. Could you, dear friends, come up with a way for people to make money?"

At present, an official suggested, "The imperial court will ask the county governments to distribute money to the people?"

Zhao Hanzhang: "...I want to do it too, but I am short of money and want to find something more reliable."

The officials were speechless. It was getting cold. What should they think of? Don’t all farmers make money by farming?

 An official said: "Let them sell their chickens, ducks and pigs!"

Zhao Hanzhang applauded and said happily: "This method is great. What is the price of chickens, ducks and pigs? Is there any regulation by the court? What if the price is too low? Also, what about those who don't raise chickens, ducks and pigs at home?"

Zhao Ming had a black hair and said quickly: "Your Majesty, you can ask the counties to cultivate more chickens, ducks and pigs, and the young can be sold to the people after the spring of next year."

The ridicule on Zhao Hanzhang's face dissipated and he asked: "The common people can't afford it, can I get it on credit?"

Zhao Ming thought for a while and said: "Okay, we can agree on the return of money or meat."

Zhao Hanzhang nodded with satisfaction and asked: "What else can be done? Don't you all, my dear friends, ignore the world's fireworks and don't care about your family's wealth?"

The officials were agitated and immediately racked their brains to think of it. Not to mention, they really came up with a lot by using their brains. Everyone immediately started talking. As soon as they started, the guard came in and reported, "Your Majesty, Shan Feng brought it."

Zhao Hanzhang said: "Explain it, dear friends, continue to think about it, people's livelihood is a major matter."

Hai Guan agreed, but his eyes couldn't help but drift to the door. Speaking of which, Shan Feng and Jin Ming are of the same mind, right?

Although the paths taken are different, one fails at the beginning and the other reaches the end, the meaning is the same.

In the center of everyone's attention, a gray man limped into the temple. He had the word "sin" tattooed on his cheek. His hair was gray, and most of it was white. However, he was only twenty-six years old this year. That’s all.

 He walked to the front of the hall, knelt down and saluted, and Zhao Hanzhang said, "No ceremony, I will give you a seat."

 Two chapters combined into one, see you tomorrow