Seeing these "black-hearted cotton" of the Kangxi Dynasty in front of him, Cao Hao was not surprised at all. Less than 100 years after the Manchu Qing Dynasty entered the customs, this wind of corruption was more serious than that of previous dynasties. He really doubted that without the more than ten years of Yongzheng's succession, the Manchu regime would have been able to maintain for more than 200 years.

The sixteenth elder brother's face turned blue, and he frowned and said to Cao Hao: "It is said that the bitter cold of Urumqi is better than that of Ningguta. When such a cotton coat arrives over there, what is the use of it? ”

Cao Hao nodded and said, "Yes, the emperor's grace this time, I'm afraid the Northwest sergeant will not be able to enjoy it." I heard that for these 10,000 cotton clothes, the emperor allocated 20,000 taels of silver from the inner treasury, and I am afraid that half of them will fall into the hands of silverfish. ”

The sixteenth elder brother was angry and embarrassed.

Now that the queen mother is in mourning and the emperor's father is sick, if this is stabbed in front of the emperor, I am afraid that it will be angry and damaging the dragon body; If it is concealed, this cotton clothes that cannot keep out the cold will only increase the waste of the army when it reaches the northwest, which is also inappropriate.

The sixteenth elder brother only felt pain in his temples, and he heard the sound of footsteps from someone in the yard, and then someone said goodbye.

How did he get here?

The sixteenth elder brother and Cao Hao glanced at each other, both suspicious.

At this time, someone has already picked up a curtain and come in, and the python is covered with a white robe and a hat, which is the fourteenth elder brother.

When he entered the room, his eyes fell directly on the bookcase, and a few cotton clothes that had been cut open to reveal cotton wool.

"Fourteenth Brother (Fourteenth Master)." The sixteenth elder brother and Cao Hao both got up and saw each other.

The fourteenth elder brother's face was pale, he stepped forward and picked up a cotton coat, snorted coldly in his mouth, and said hatefully: "This is the 'grace' of Huang Ama?" ”

After speaking, he realized that he had lost his words, and in the eyes of outsiders, he seemed to be dissatisfied with the imperial father. He glanced at the sixteenth elder brother and Cao Hao next to him, picked the corners of his mouth and said: "Those minions, such a big dog guts, the errand of the Emperor Ama Yu [***] on behalf of him, there are also people who are dizzy." ”

Cao Hao's eyes looked at his nose and his nose and his heart, and he was silent.

These 10,000 pieces of cotton clothes were spent by Kangxi from the Internal Affairs Office to handle this matter, but there were officials from the Ministry of War. After all, this is a military quartermaster, nothing else.

Whether it is the Ministry of Internal Affairs or the Ministry of War, they don't want to do anything with Cao Hao.

Now, it seems that it is Chinese New Year's Eve, and it will take several months for this cotton clothes to be transported to the northwest, and the weather will be warm by then.

However, judging from this cotton clothes, what the Northwest sergeant is wearing may not be any better. Finally, in the past few years, there have been military affairs, and the people from the military department and the yamen have been thinking about the designation of reaching out to make money.

Seeing the atmosphere of the fourteenth elder brother, the sixteenth elder brother's eyes lit up.

He also showed a little righteous indignation, and then said: "Yes, fourteenth brother, my younger brother is also worried about this matter. But there is no way, how can anyone command those uncles in the military department? As usual, the younger brother had already reported to the emperor and asked the emperor to decide. Now in the mourning of the Queen Mother, Huang Ama is already uncomfortable, and it is not easy to spare him. ”

The fourteenth elder brother gritted his teeth, not knowing what to think again.

I heard the sixteenth elder brother say again: "It's just that the soldiers in the northwest have suffered and chased the enemy for the imperial court, but they have been fooled by these black-hearted things." Fu Ningan is sleek again, and he will never offend the master of the military department for these things. ”

"How can a person who sells his reputation be a general?" When the fourteenth elder brother heard this, his expression became even colder, and he raised his chin and said: "This matter is related to the military and politics, there is no need for the sixteenth brother to worry about it, I will personally ask to see who dares to fool the master?" In addition to the 10,000 pieces sewn, Huang Ama also allowed 10,000 pieces, and the sixteenth elder brother only ordered the Internal Affairs Office to prepare the silver money. ”

In the fifty-fourth year of Kangxi, when Alabtan invaded Hami, Fu Ning'an, who was the secretary of the ministry, was ordered to go to the northwest to sit in the town, and this year he was named the general of Jingyi.

He was born in the Prime Minister's Mansion, served as a guard in his early years, and later served as the commander of the capital, and then from a military officer to a civil official, to a secretary of the ministry, one of the ministers that Kangxi relied on the most in recent years.

Because he has a good reputation and is praised by Yukou, the fourteenth elder brother said that he "sells his reputation and fishes for reputation". is so disgusted, but because the other party can be in the northwest, the fourteenth elder brother can only be detained in the capital.

This Fu Ning'an was hated by the fourteenth elder brother, and he wanted to suffer in the next few years. But this is also his blessing, if he is treated by the fourteenth elder brother, then the suffering will be doubled.

Listening to the fourteenth elder brother's mention of money, the sixteenth elder brother only responded resignedly. The fourteenth elder brother glanced at Cao Hao, his eyes were a little deep, and asked, "Sixteenth brother, was Cao Hao discovered the problem with this cotton clothes?" ”

The sixteenth elder brother shook his head hurriedly and said, "He is not on an errand in the Internal Affairs Office anymore, where will he think about cotton clothes?" It's when I heard that the officers of the military department have been more comfortable lately, so I remembered this. Just happened to Cao Hao to come over and tell him to catch up. ”

The six yamen have been sealed.

The country mourns filial piety, and there are many high-grade guards, and only a few low-grade people enter the palace, and they are at ease.

The fourteenth elder brother said "oh", didn't say anything more, said a few words to the sixteenth elder brother casually, and left first.

Now, he is the elder brother of the director of the Ministry of War, and his reputation should be cherished and prestigious. With the help of this batch of cotton clothes, it was a good seizure, so naturally he didn't have the time to grind his teeth with the sixteenth elder brother.

When he left, the sixteenth elder brother and Cao Hao breathed a sigh of relief.

"Taking this incident as an opportunity, the Fourteenth Master is afraid that he will have to plant people in the military quartermaster." Cao Hao said.

It seems that these fourteen elder brothers are going to go on the expedition on behalf of the Son of Heaven as known in history.

"Seeking benevolence, he is worried about going to the northwest, and naturally he will not be willing to lose the troops over there. He is also lonely now, in the early years, when the starling was there, the ninth and tenth brothers took the starling as the head of the horse and would take care of him. Now that the starling brother is gone, the ninth brother has a grudge against the fourteenth brother in his heart, and it is strange that he is willing to help him. Speaking of these, the sixteenth elder brother gloated a little: "In addition to the fact that it came out of the belly of Concubine De, plus the favor of Huang Ama, what is his ability?" ”

"The Fourteenth Elder Brother is not a stupid person, knowing these shortcomings, he will definitely seek allies, otherwise how dare he leave Beijing rashly? The sixteenth master looks, which one will the fourteenth master look for? Cao Hao lowered his voice and said, "The fifteenth master's side, I'm afraid it will have to do with it." ”

"I've persuaded him a lot, but I can't do anything about it. The fifteenth brother alone is not enough, the fourteenth brother will think again. Speaking of this, the sixteenth elder brother glanced at Cao Hao and said, "Fu Ruo, who do you guess he will find?" ”

Cao Hao stretched out a hand, and then closed his thumb.

The sixteenth elder brother laughed twice and said, "That's right, it seems that Concubine De in the first month has to pass the fourth sister-in-law into the palace a few more times." ”

The fourteenth elder brother is about to stand in his old age, not the arrogant elder brother who acted according to his preferences in his early years.

In his eyes, I am afraid that there are only those who can use it, and those who can't use it.

* Ningshou Palace, side hall.

The twelfth elder brother was a little respectful, accompanied the fourth elder brother to drink tea, and the one standing on the ground to reply was Cao Ji, the chief of the Ningshou Palace teahouse.

The twelfth elder brother glanced at the fourth elder brother and saw that he didn't speak, so he ordered Cao Qi a few words and ordered him to go down.

The fourth elder brother's expression was always faint, and it was not until he left that he said to the twelfth elder brother: "These words, how tired you are." This funeral is only halfway over, and you still have to take care of yourself. ”

He has always treated people without pretense, and the twelfth elder brother has always been more afraid than close to this imperial brother, how could he ever hear these soft words.

For a moment, he was stunned.

The fourth elder brother didn't look at him, and said casually: "I have two good ginseng plants there, and Ming'er will send them to your house." Look at you, you have lost a lot, and you can make up for it......."

The twelfth elder brother was really flattered, and hurriedly thanked him.

The fourth elder brother waved his hand, didn't say anything more, got up and left. The twelfth elder brother personally sent it to the gate of Ningshou Palace, and watched the figure of the fourth elder brother leave, before turning around and coming back to ...... * In Yonghe Palace, Concubine De sat on the soft couch and looked at her son a little distressed: "The whole Ningshou Palace is on duty, are you tired?" Dinner is eaten here, and E-Niang asked someone to prepare your favorite pot. ”

The fourteenth elder brother looked at the stool sitting on the side of the kang, his face no longer had the powerful color that he had just been in the main hall of the Internal Affairs Mansion, and said with a smile: "That relationship is good, I have been staying up for a long time these days, and I am a little tired, and I feel that I have no appetite." With the hot sauerkraut pot, it is specified that two more bowls of rice can be used, and it is still the mother who loves her son. ”

"Look, Hongchun and Hongming will both reach the grade of marriage, you are still like a child as Amma, how stable we can be." Concubine De smiled and said with disgust.

The fourteenth elder brother said with a smile: "Don't say that the son marries a daughter-in-law, or the grandson marries a daughter-in-law, in front of Eniang, the son is still like this." Other sons don't know, sons only know that Eniang loves her son the most in this world, and her son is full of filial piety, and there is nothing else. ”

The daughter in the palace has no husband, only the emperor's master. The only man I can rely on is my son.

After listening to the words of the fourteenth elder brother, Concubine De's face was even more kind, but she pretended to glare at the fourteenth elder brother sternly, and said, "If you are filial, you won't be annoyed by that little hoof outside." As a prince, you should know that women can't be favored, and delaying the reproduction of children is a big deal. ”

Hearing this, the fourteenth elder brother did not argue, but was a little gloomy, and bowed his head and said, "Eniang, Hongxuan is twelve...... My son's illness, over the years, the outside should also know, where do you dare to talk about anything and add heirs......"

Seeing this, Concubine De already regretted it in her heart, took the hand of the fourteenth elder brother, and said, "Haven't you been taking the medicine of the imperial doctor?" It's Eniang's gaffe, don't be annoyed. How old are you, and the emperor has added a little brother in the past few years? ”

The fourteenth elder brother was only gloomy for a moment, and then raised his head, still looking radiant, and said, "E-niang, don't worry, my son won't worry about this." The son already has four sons and four daughters under his knees, and among the sons of the emperor and Amma, the sons and heirs are not the most, nor are they few. Besides, Hongchun and Hongming have reached the age of marrying wives and having children, and adding grandchildren is a matter of an eye. E-Niang can rest assured that her son will not be able to become a sinner of the Aixin Jueluo family. ”

Concubine De smiled and nodded, she had already made up her mind that in next year's draft, she would choose a few show girls for her son who were suitable for birth and raising.

The fourteenth elder brother accompanied Concubine De and said two words, "By the way, Eniang, my son wants to go to the fourth brother's mansion." Please also ask Eniang to reward something, don't let her son go empty-handed. ”

When Concubine De heard this, she couldn't help frowning, and said, "Didn't you see you in Ningshou Palace all day?" Do you have to go over it? If you have something to do with him, E-Niang will send him here. ”

The fourteenth elder brother smiled and waved his hand, and said: "It's nothing, it's just that my son wants to find a way to go out of the palace to breathe. ”

Concubine De glanced at him and said, "I know how to take advantage of Eniang." It's cheaper for you, and there are just a few bottles of the newly made loquat paste from the Internal Affairs Bureau. I heard that your fourth brother's side Fu Jin Nian is sick again, so you can send it over there. ”

The fourteenth elder brother was overjoyed, at this time, Concubine De had already asked the palace maid to take a batch of anointing...... * Although in the state funeral, no banquets are allowed, but this human relationship is inevitable.

When he was not on duty in the palace, Cao Hao took the place of his father, gave gifts and received guests, and was busy for several days.

On the other side of Dongfu, everyone is also busy.

Fortunately, Cao Yin gradually got better, which made Cao Hao also feel at ease. What he meant, when the funeral in the palace was completed, he would send his father and mother to Changping Zhuangzi to recuperate.

On Cao Yin's side, what he is most concerned about is the examination of his two nephews. This is less than two months left before the spring season, and it is time to sharpen the gun.

Hearing that Cao Fu replaced Cao Song to entertain relatives and friends, Cao Yin disagreed very much. Otherwise, on Chinese New Year's Eve, there would be ancestor worship and reunion dinner, and he would directly send his nephews to Haidian Zhuangzi to prepare for the exam.

Because of this incident, he talked to Cao Hao several times.

Hearing his father's words, Cao Hao could also understand the meaning of the imperial examination. After all, this royal favor is just to take care of the family for two generations. If the family wants to pass it on, this descendant is the foundation that will not decay.

After the Manchu Qing Dynasty entered the customs, the two emperors, the mainstays of the imperial court, were the children of those families whose fathers and sons had been admitted to the imperial examination for several generations.

Cao Hao began to reflect on whether he was too lenient with God bless them.

The children are still young and do not know the importance of reading. Who said that the eight shares are useless, this is no different from the college entrance examination in later generations.

Reading can sharpen your heart; Reading can also cultivate affection.

Even if the sons are not willing to be officials in the future, reading and knowing etiquette is the foundation of life.

However, there is one thing to pay attention to at the moment, that is, there is also a Jiangnan celebrity Qian Chen Qun on the side of Haidian Zhuangzi. The New Year's Day, the garden over there is deserted, Cao Hao thought of this, specially asked someone to prepare a New Year's goods, sent to the Haidian Garden, in the capital for the New Year, there is also Li Wei, although he rarely comes to Cao's house this year, but the festival is not exempt.

Thinking of Li Wei's grinning appearance, Cao Hao was a little nostalgic for the lively scene in the house in the past.

Regarding the replacement of the housekeeper's daughter-in-law in the Mei Courtyard, Tian's side was not happy, but was a little worried, looked for Amethyst, and whispered: "Amethyst girl, this other courtyard is fine, only this side, will it cause the eldest grandmother to be annoyed?" ”

Originally, this was all the master's business, and Amethyst was not good to say. But there are some things that Cao Hao is inconvenient to say, Chu Yu said it here, and Tian is only polite.

Therefore, Amethyst thought for a while and said, "Grandma Tian, it's not that I'm biased towards my uncle. In the uncle's heart, Young Master Song and Young Master Bai are the same as their own children. Otherwise, I wouldn't have bought a pack of snacks outside, and I would have to share a portion here. ”

Tian Shi listened, nodded his head, and said, "I know Cao Ye's great kindness, and I am grateful in my heart." ”

Amethyst sighed and said, "Even if the uncle takes care of it again, Young Master Song and Young Master Bai will have to support the portal in the future." Now the uncle is taking care of it, and the grandmother treats her differently, and Grandma Tian can be coerced by the daughter-in-law of the housekeeper, and she has wronged the young masters. If the family goes out separately in the future, without the uncle and grandmother, how will Grandma Tian be in charge? It is said that women are weak, and mothers are strong. Seeing that the little master was wearing an unwarm jacket, shivering in the cold wind, Grandma Tian, who was a mother, was also willing to do so? ”

Tian was ashamed of what he said, so he listened to Amethyst continue: "If Grandma Tian had said it earlier, it would not have developed to this point, which would make the uncle feel guilty, and the eldest grandmother would also feel shameless." ”

When Tian heard this, he couldn't sit still, stood up, and said, "It's all mine, or I'm going to accompany my grandmother?" ”

When Amethyst heard this, she hurriedly waved her hand and said, "Grandma Tian, don't do it, the eldest grandmother is thinking about how to compensate you, don't you say this again, doesn't it make the eldest grandmother feel more and more uncomfortable?" ”

When Tian heard this, he couldn't make up his mind, and said, "Amethyst girl, what should I do?" ”

"I just ask Grandma Tian to be considerate of the uncle's care, don't wronged yourself and the little masters. There are rules for everything, and if the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law in this yard have short rules, tell me or the eldest grandmother, and don't let Grandma Tian make trouble. Amethyst said bitterly.

Where did Tian have his own ideas, and he had already nodded his head again and again.

Seeing that she really didn't look like a housewife, Amethyst could only sigh in her heart. Speaking of which, don't talk about others, it's the two sisters of Lianqiu and Xiqiu, who are also more sensible than this Grandma Tian...... * Dongcheng, Jiubeizi Mansion, in the study.

Brother Jiu picked up a cigarette in his hand, took a puff, swallowed the clouds, and said with a bit of ridicule on his face: "This is really the first to hit the west, I didn't expect the fourteenth to start thinking about the fourth?" Isn't this a joke? The rat's eyes are light, and he has been a long time in light over the years, but he has not long been insightful. With his catties and two, he wants to swallow the fourth child, but I'm afraid he doesn't know how to die? ”

What he held in his hand was a hand-rolled cigarette that he had ordered to be made according to Cao Hao's description.

This tobacco is roasted, which is different from the raw tobacco leaves sold in tobacco shops, so it has a mellow aroma. As soon as this thing came out, Brother Jiu fell in love, and he had to put two sticks on it every day to feel comfortable.

On the small stool opposite him, there was an elderly scribe, who was Qin Daoran, a famous Confucian named in the Hanlin Academy.

After listening to the words of the ninth elder brother, Qin Daoran twisted his beard and said: "In the two and a half months since the holy drive returned to Beijing, the fourteenth elder brother has already made three expeditions before the imperial court, and the emperor has no intention of denying it. It would be good if the war in the northwest could be quickly pacified, otherwise, if one of the princes was selected and the emperor went on the expedition on behalf of the Son of Heaven, I am afraid that it would fall to the Fourteenth Master. ”

Brother Jiu picked the corners of his mouth, and snorted coldly: "The old man is very eccentric, which one is good, if you don't kill it, you will give up." ”

Qin Daoran hesitated for a moment and said, "Ninth Master, looking at the meaning of the fourteenth elder brother, it seems that he is dead set on this side, otherwise he would not have thought about looking for the fourth elder brother." Although they are compatriots, they are not as close as ordinary people. ”

"Dead heart? He went on the expedition, the fourth child was in charge of grain and grass, and all the good things were taken by their brothers, dreaming! Take my post and ask someone to invite the fourteenth elder brother, and our brothers should also be affectionate. Brother Jiu gritted his teeth and said, his face showing a bit hideous......

(To be continued)