North Terracotta Hutong, North Treasury of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

Once a year, the auction of the Bank of the Ministry of Internal Affairs is held here, and Cao Hao and the sixteenth elder brother came to see the excitement. Originally, there was also the seventeenth elder brother who came together, but when it was time for the auction, the seventeenth elder brother was not seen.

For the sixteenth elder brother, who has become the prince of Heshuo, he can no longer look down on the good things such as the house and Zhuangzi, which are good things in the eyes of outsiders.

He made a special trip to exchange a few good things for the concubine to decorate the house.

The fifteenth elder brother has already opened the mansion, and Concubine Mi has not yet left the palace.

Originally, according to the meaning of the sixteenth elder brother and the seventeenth elder brother, they hoped that their biological mother would also leave the palace and go to the house. Although Concubine Mi could not stay in Prince Zhuang's Mansion, she could enter the Baylor Mansion of the Fifteenth Elder Brother.

But the emperor wanted to "fulfill filial piety", and did not agree to let the two concubines go to the house, but he allowed the two concubines and concubines to go out of the house to reunite with their children and grandchildren on their birthdays.

The sixteenth elder brother was happily waiting to receive the concubine out of the palace, but he didn't expect that it would be coming, and there would be another change. can only wait until the Dragon Boat Festival next year to receive the concubine out of the palace.

Cao Hao originally wanted to buy a few small villages, give them to Niuniu as a dowry, and make a gift for the Zuo Zhu and Zuo Cheng brothers, but he didn't expect that there were many people who came to participate in the "auction", and the silver was also rich.

Xiaozhuang also has a house, and it is a popular gift giver, so the price is higher, and it is not much cheaper than the market price.

Seeing this, Cao Hao no longer paid attention to it, and only accompanied the sixteenth elder brother to leave some valuable antique ornaments.

After a while, the sixteenth elder brother bought a jade Fushou interstitial screen and a beeswax Guanyin. Although it cost nearly 10,000 taels of silver, the sixteenth elder brother was very satisfied, and his originally depressed mood seemed to be better.

Cao Hao also followed suit, and took a stalk of golden silk Wannian Ruyi, as well as a set of gold chisel flower eight treasure tableware, and planned to give it to the sixteenth elder brother and the seventeenth elder brother as a warm house gift for the two concubines and concubines.

During the Dragon Boat Festival next year, he will probably not be in the capital, and it is not good to send someone back to give gifts for this purpose, so he took this opportunity to send it.

Etiquette is not expensive, and you can't go wrong with it.

This gold was dangling in front of him, but it aroused the interest of the sixteenth elder brother.

He opened the eight-treasure tableware for a while, glanced at the plates and spoons inlaid with gems, and then picked up the heavy, not light-weight gold Ruyi, looked at Cao Hao with a smile and said: "You are affordable, real money, don't come to those vain." ”

Cao Hao said with a smile: "It's good that the Sixteenth Master doesn't think it's vulgar, those ornaments, where are the outside and the inside." Finally, there is an interstitial screen that can be eye-catching, and let the sixteenth master cut off the beard, I have to come to these vulgar ones, and keep them for the concubine Niangniang to reward people......"

While the two were talking, they saw a figure walk by in front of the inner window, and then someone pushed the door and entered.

Cao Hao and the sixteenth elder brother looked at the door.

I saw that the man was wearing a cloak and a fur hat, and he lowered his head to see his face clearly. When he went to the hat, his face was revealed, and it was the seventeenth elder brother with a sullen face.

"Huh? The seventeenth brother didn't say anything about it late, but he also brought anger, what is the reason? The sixteenth elder brother was a little surprised and asked.

"I arrived just now, and I saw a person Cai Ting, going to the west of the Accord, I don't know why this Lord Zuo Du Yushi came, I was afraid that he would cause trouble to the sixteenth brother, so I followed the past to take a look." While speaking, the seventeenth elder brother sat down, greeted Cao Hao, and then looked at the boxes on the table, and said, "Didn't you say that there are a few good things in the finale today, and you don't wait?" ”

The sixteenth elder brother glanced at him and said, "Eighteen thousand taels of things, put at home and play with at hand is elegant and rich, tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands of things, in addition to being locked in the warehouse, what else can you do?" Really put it around, worrying, is it people playing things, or things playing people? If you are not careful, you will commit the crime of trespassing. ”

The seventeenth elder brother laughed twice and said, "What the sixteenth brother said is that the younger brother looks confused compared with the sixteenth brother. ”

Brother Sixteen and Cao Hao were both interested, and did not mention the name Cai Ting.

Among the kings of the clan, the seventeenth elder brother is known for his sleek and good-tempered nature. But even so, it is impossible to please everywhere.

This Cai Ting has a bit of a holiday with the seventeenth elder brother.

Although Cai Ting is a righteous official from Jinshi, there has been an apricot forest master in the family, and he is Cai Ting's uncle. The master of Xinglin passed away early, and he did not accept apprentices from the outside world, but only taught his whole body medical skills to his nephew Cai Ting.

Because Cai Ting is the son of an official eunuch, he finally obeyed his father's orders and was admitted to the rank of scholar.

Although Cai Ting rarely treats patients outside, his relatives and friends, who know the details, come to seek medical treatment, and he is not good not to go.

came and went, and he was famous in the capital, and some powerful people also invited him three or four times, and asked him to help.

However, there is a taboo for him to go out to see the disease, and the clan and the royal family are resolutely not going.

In his words, his medical skills were vulgar and he didn't dare to give the nobles below, but he was actually troubled by the turmoil of Kangxi's last years. Everyone wanted to win over his governor, Lao Tzu, and recruit him by asking him to see a doctor.

When he was in the palace, he also asked someone to invite him to come to the house, but he refused.

The seventeenth elder brother knew Cai Ting's taboo, and did not use the identity of the prince to force Cai Ting to go to the house to see the disease, but took a lot of effort, through an elder of the Cai family, to move Cai Ting to deign to go to a private house for consultation.

It's for the infertility of the Seventeenth Fujin.

It is rumored that Cai Ting has an ancestral recipe in his hand, which is to treat women's infertility.

The seventeenth elder brother stood up after the age of death, had no heirs, and because of the deep love between husband and wife, he didn't want to be embarrassed by having a concubine, so he took this thought.

Cai Ting has been in office for many years, and he has been in the position of the left governor of the imperial history, so he has some knowledge.

When I started to ask for the pulse, I didn't feel anything, but when the maid presented the pen and paper and asked for the pen, Cai Ting noticed that something was wrong. The pen and paper were not something that could be bought outside, which was extremely inconsistent with this simple house, and he didn't ask the elders of the clan where the nobles came to see the sick, so he put down the pen and left without even opening the prescription.

The seventeenth elder brother couldn't, so he had to come forward in person and plead repeatedly.

Cai Ting was still the old excuse, resolutely refused to go down, and finally broke up unhappily.

Cao Hao had already heard the sixteenth elder brother mention this matter, but in fact, in his opinion, Cai Ting was helpless.

As long as he makes an opening, he will become a "doctor" who is not making up. The identity of the clan is noble and cherishes life, and in the future, there must really be something in case, not only can it be solved by falling off the top, but it will affect the family if you are not careful.

Judging from the position of the seventeenth elder brother, it is really cruel.

If there is no hope, it is even more heart-wrenching to be disappointed again after seeing hope.

made the seventeenth elder brother, who has always been open-minded, also have a bit of resentment.

The sixteenth elder brother and Cao Hao couldn't explain it, so they could only avoid this person and not mention it.

The seventeenth elder brother was resentful, and took the initiative to mention it, saying, "What do you guess he did?" It doesn't seem stupid, he is a dog, and he knows how to measure, and he knows that most of the people who are qualified to bid in the Internal Affairs Office are the royal family of the clan, and they come to be auctioneers honestly. ”

The sixteenth elder brother and Cao Hao glanced at each other, this is all nonsense.

The little imperial history in the Inspectorate, who doesn't know the color, may use the clan as a raft in order to seek fame. If you really want to publicly impeach the clan, that is, if you uphold the will of the gods, you really want to take who you want.

I heard the seventeenth elder brother continue: "Fang Cai, I looked for the bank manager and checked the brochure of this auction, there is a manuscript of the Taiyi Guoshou during the Chongzhen period, which is one of the important treasures of this auction. Cai Ting's eight achievements are from that, and Brother Sixteen and Fu Ruo have to support me this time. Regardless of the amount of silver, I am going to photograph the book. ”

Since he was interested, the sixteenth elder brother and Cao Hao were full of promises.

The people who came to participate in the auction were all the number of the royal family members, and when it was time for the bank to distribute dividends at the end of the year, everyone was rich.

In order to sell the manuscript at a good price, the person who presided over the auction blew it hard, saying that it was a few health recipes attached to the back, which can prolong life and reconcile yin and yang, and said that half a cup of tea is done.

As a result, the price of that medical book was copied high by everyone.

Even the sixteenth elder brother was interested, and said to the seventeenth elder brother: "After the picture is taken, ask someone to copy a copy of Tongfu Ruo for me." ”

The seventeenth elder brother was originally to control his anger, but now that he heard that this medical book is really good, his mood is getting higher and higher, and he said with a smile: "Naturally, it's not a problem." ”

Cao Hao saw that these two masters were trying to increase the price, and he was very devoted, and he couldn't cry or laugh.

Listen to this set of "advertising words", which obviously have the characteristics of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and must mention words such as "royal", "royal", and "court", just to raise the price.

Outsiders are still improvised, these two are both men Qing'er, and they are so lively and entertaining others.

After a quarter of an hour's effort, the price of this "Sacred Codex of the Former Pilgrim" increased from the reserve price of three thousand taels of silver to no less than two hundred taels each time, calling for twenty-eight thousand taels.

The host, on his part, slowed down his bidding.

The seventeenth elder brother made people pay attention to the private room in the west wing, and when he saw that no one had raised the price for a long time, he showed a little smile on his face.

Sporadicly, someone raised the price twice, and finally the seventeenth elder brother auctioned this "treasure book" at a price of 29,200 taels of silver.

By the time the book was sent to the box, the seventeenth elder brother was already happy.

He took the book, as if holding the fragile glass, gently stroked it twice, restrained his smile, walked in front of Cao Hao, and bent down.

Cao Hao stood up, quite helpless.

He understands Cai Ting's principles, and he also sympathizes with the embarrassment of the seventeenth elder brother, why does no one understand him?

"Seventeen masters, you have killed the ministers...... Cao Hao turned sideways, avoiding the seventeenth elder brother's salute.

Hearing Cao Hao call himself a "minister", the seventeenth elder brother showed a little pleading on his face, and said: "Fu Ruo, it's not that I want to make you embarrassed, but that there is no one to ask for." Cai Ting has never interacted with the clan, and with my last design, I am afraid that it will be impossible for someone to invite him to visit the clinic again, and the only way is to ask Fu Ruo to help me go through. I have passed and standed, but I have no son and half a daughter, and I have lost the joy of flesh and blood, and I am miserable. If you have pity on me, can you try it? Regardless of whether I can get a prescription or not, I will remember Fu Ruo's great kindness. ”

Speaking of which, where is there room for Cao Hao to refuse.

Cao Hao felt bitter in his heart, Cai Ting is now a celebrity in front of the emperor, and he will be a "villain" by himself, and he will not offend one or two.

But the relationship with the seventeenth elder brother is here, and it is a major matter related to the heirs, if you refuse, even if you don't make an enmity, the relationship will not be the same.

Cao Hao had no choice but to take the seventeenth elder brother's hand medicine book, and said: "The seventeenth master commanded, I tried my best, but everyone said that Lord Cai's surname was strong, and if he couldn't get it back, the seventeenth master should not be blamed." ”

When the seventeenth elder brother saw him agree, he was already overjoyed and hurriedly thanked him.

The sixteenth elder brother was a little unhappy when he saw the seventeenth elder brother forcing Cao Hao to be a middle-aged person, but seeing that the seventeenth elder brother was so excited, he hid his annoyance, looked at the book in Cao Hao's hand and said, "Don't rush to send it, copy a few copies first and keep it." As he spoke, he said to the seventeenth elder brother: "Since I bought it with you, it is not easy for the seventeenth brother to give out this silver by himself, and the silver is half for one person." ”

The seventeenth elder brother was stunned when he heard this, and then shook his head into a rattle and said, "No, no." I know that Brother Sixteen feels sorry for me, but one stroke is another. If you say yes, you borrow, that is, borrow. When I have an income there after the year, I will return the sixteenth brother. ”

The sixteenth elder brother didn't do it, but the seventeenth elder brother was resolute, and in the end, he only followed the meaning of the seventeenth elder brother.

After taking a picture of this book, the seventeenth elder brother not only had empty pockets, but also owed more than 10,000 foreign debts, so he naturally had no intention of looking at it again; The sixteenth elder brother and Cao Hao also lost interest in the auction, and before the auction ended, everyone came out of the venue.

The seventeenth elder brother also knew that he had embarrassed Cao Hao, and he wanted to ask for wine to make amends for Cao Hao's sins.

Cao Hao still carried the Yanjing title deed obtained from King Ping's Mansion yesterday in his arms, and he had already sent a post to Prince Yi's Mansion this morning, asking him to go over to say goodbye, where would he have time to eat and drink.

When the seventeenth elder brother heard that he had something, he was not reluctant. The sixteenth elder brother and Cao Hao still had something to say, so they found a reason, said goodbye to the seventeenth elder brother, and walked with Cao Hao.

"For the sake of the heirs, the seventeenth brother has had some magic in the past two years, not to mention the capital, even the doctors who are a little famous on the ground in Zhili have also searched all over the place. At the beginning of the year, he also made a special trip to Fujian to find a farmer. If it weren't for the death of Old Fang, he would have to toss it back again. "Sixteen Elder Brother Dao.

Cao Hao said: "The sixteenth master doesn't need to say this, I don't blame the seventeenth master, I just know how many catties and taels I have, and I think this matter is mysterious." ”

The sixteenth elder brother sighed and said, "The seventeenth brother is not a fool, and he should understand this in his heart." It's just that the stakes are important, even if there is only a lost hope, he has to try before he is willing to give up. ”

Cao Hao nodded and didn't say anything more about the topic. No matter how reluctant he is in his heart, to catch the ducks on the shelves, he will also go to "visit" the royal celebrity.

"Sixteenth master, it is said that there are many salt wells in Sichuan, is there any industry in your house over there?" Cao Hao thought of the matter of Yanjing and asked.

"That's a big piece of fat meat, which palace in the capital doesn't mix? On my side, there are three salt farms under my name, all of which were tossed by the old prince when he was alive. It's been a long time, and there has been little salt in recent years, and the people below are reluctant to do this, so they pry me a few times to open another new well, but I give it a no. Although the imperial court allowed Sichuan to open a private salt factory, if it could be sold or something, it would have to go through the yamen, otherwise it would be private salt. Those who make money are all leaks, and if they really want to tear them open, it is also against the law. Silver, how much is the head, enough to spend, why bother with this? The sixteenth elder brother said, looked at Cao Hao and said, "You won't be tempted, right?" It's better not to participate, it's hard to work hard, and it's easy to get right and wrong. ”

Cao Hao originally thought that he would go to see the thirteenth elder brother today, and suggested that the imperial court increase the control of Sichuan well salt and increase more taxes, so as to save the imperial court from having no money, and everyone was tied.

With this precedent, it will be possible to adjust the taxation of locally-intensive industries in the future and enrich the national treasury.

After listening to the words of the sixteenth elder brother, Cao Hao knew that his thoughts were a little naïve.

Yongzheng has the courage to reduce the privileges of the scholar class, but he will not challenge the clan and the Eight Banners magnates.

One time later, when he arrived at the gate of the Thirteenth Elder Brother's Mansion, the Sixteenth Elder Brother did not go with Cao Hao, but went back to the palace directly.

Cao Hao stood at the door of the Thirteenth Elder Brother's Mansion, touched the title deed in his arms, and changed his mind in his heart.

The embarrassment of the seventeenth elder brother made him disgusted; He didn't want to repeat the mistakes of the past, so he ruined the relationship between the thirteenth elder brother and himself and his brother-in-law.

As a result, the topic of discussion at this meeting changed from "private affairs" to "official affairs".

Zhili has been dry for a long time, even if the canal is dredged, there is no way if it doesn't rain.

Nowadays, although drought-tolerant crops are available, they are gradually spreading, but they are mostly marginal fields. Most of the people are still accustomed to planting "six grains". There is no other reason, but because there are requirements for the official warehouse to collect grain, and there are also a few rents in kind on the landlord's side.

If we want to truly popularize those drought-tolerant and high-yield crops, there must be changes in the grain harvested by the official warehouses.

The thirteenth elder brother listened to Cao Hao's words, suddenly realized, and said: "I can't complain that the bud valley has been implemented for a few years, and there are several effective prefectures and counties, so it turns out that this is the reason. For thousands of years, the people have eaten those things, and there are also people who have changed the bud grain, and there are also people who are not able to eat well. ”

"Thirteenth Master, sorghum and bud grains are coarse grains, for the people, they are all food for the stomach, what is the difference? Rich people, if they don't have their own grain, buy rice from the south, and who will eat rice from the official warehouse? Cao Hao said.

The thirteenth elder brother nodded and said, "It's because I want to be left, the grain in the official warehouse is for famine." In a famine year, it's good to endure hunger, who will be picky about eating delicious? ”

It is related to people's livelihood, and the thirteenth elder brother asked very carefully, in addition to asking about the storage of Cao Hao's local granary, he also made a special trip to ask him about the second crop.

If the number of acres planted with the second crop increases, it is equivalent to doubling the amount of land.

When Zhili, who has been in drought for ten years and nine droughts, can survive the famine year without relying on the relief of the imperial court, then other provinces can learn the method of Zhili and reduce the burden on the imperial court.

Now it is an agrarian society, based on agriculture, Cao Hao, the governor, is the head of agricultural affairs in Zhili.

The thirteenth elder brother was quite pleased, looked at Cao Hao and said: "I have long known that you have great talents, you can put the people first, and in the green history, there will be your name." ”

This praise has passed, Cao Hao didn't dare to dare to even say.

After finishing the business, Cao Hao said casually: "Lord, the minister has something, I don't know how to act, and I want to ask the prince for advice." ”

The thirteenth elder brother smiled and said, "You deserve everyone's praise as the governor, where is your turn to ask me for advice?" Let's hear it, do you want to play my brand and knock the people in Zhili, or what? ”

Cao Hao shook his head and said, "It's not the minister's business, it's the minister's brother-in-law who is worried...... A few years ago, when the Fourteenth Master went to the northwest, he passed through Sichuan and received the filial piety of Nian Qianyao. He didn't take it seriously at the time, and now he's a little worried...... I persuaded him to hand over his things, so that he would not be troubled later...... But I was worried that it would be out of time and cause the emperor to be angry......"

Hearing this, the thirteenth elder brother's face had already turned solemn, and he pondered for a long time, and said, "Let's wait, Nian Qianyao's case has been noisy for a year, and the emperor is already annoyed...... Finally, the dust has settled now, so let's think about it later......"

(To be continued)