Your Majesty, please resign again

Zhang Xiuyuan...oh, no, Concubine Zhang, she was already named a concubine at the beginning of the year.

At that time, Han Qi believed that Zhang Xiuyuan had made a contribution to the rescue, so he thought that he should respect her as a noble concubine. Zhao Zhen recognized it and ordered Li Shu, a scholar of the Hanlin Academy, to write an edict for Zhang Xiuyuan's canonization.

However, Li Shu did not hold the canonization ceremony according to the original etiquette, and only issued an edict.

Zhang was furious and threw the edict drafted by Li Shu to the ground. Zhang originally wanted Zhao Zhen to demote Li Shu to a prefecture or county, but was blocked by Zeng Gongliang. Zhang was therefore very resentful towards Zeng Gongliang.

.

But other than this incident, Concubine Zhang was still in a good mood. Although the canonization ceremony was not held, she also got the benefits she deserved. Out of guilt for her, Zhao Zhen not only promoted her uncle Zhang Yaozuo to the third division

The envoy also canonized her grandmother as the wife of the Yue Kingdom, which can be said to be an honor for the family.

"Empress, the father-in-law is here."

The palace maid whispered the report.

Concubine Zhang Guifei said happily when she heard this: "Please come quickly!"

The new patriarch was not Zhang Guifei's father, but Zhang Yaozuo. Zhang Yaozuo was just Zhang's uncle, but Zhang's father died early, so Zhang Guifei ordered the maid to call Zhang Yaozuo the monarch.

The maid led Zhang Yaozuo in. Concubine Zhang drove the maids out, and then she saw that Zhang Yaozuo's face was not very good.

Han Qi looked at Zhang Yaozuo, lowered his eyes and said nothing.

Zhang Yaozuo looked at it and sighed with emotion: "...There is a severe drought in the north this year. Hebei East-West Road and Jianghuai Road, which were originally tax-paying roads, have suffered from severe drought this year, and the tax revenue is almost non-existent. These are secondary. The key is,

The victims of the East-West Road in Hebei Province have no way out!

Zhang Guifei smiled proudly: "Uncle, don't worry, I can make the decision on the official side, so you can be your third envoy with peace of mind. After a while, there will be no problem in raising it up!"

Zhang Yaozuo smiled bitterly and said: "Of course the truth is like this, but you also know that the matter of my appointment as the Third Secretary is not that tough. The gangsters were impeaching me before, as well as Zeng Gongliang and others, every time

Everyone looked disdainful when they saw me, and I'm afraid they will take advantage of it this time."

Zhang Yaozuo hurriedly said: "As for the tax statistics at the end of this year, the Third Division has already compiled them. Although there have been several droughts, civil commotions, salt law adjustments and a series of other things this year, the taxes have not dropped particularly much.

As a result, Han Yi was relegated to the local government, while Han Qi was famous all over the world.

After a while, Zhao Zhen calmed down, but he still looked at Zhang Yaozuo with a sharp look: "Humph, you are still smart today. You took out Zhang Heng as a fig leaf. If you tell the story about the sudden tax reduction at the court meeting,

, I can’t even save you! Get out!”

After hearing this, Concubine Zhang immediately burst into tears, let go of Zhao Zhen, slowly knelt down on the ground, and choked with sobs: "Guan family, I am asking you to apologize on behalf of my uncle..."

He sighed for a while and suddenly asked: "...Is it your idea to do something about my uncle?"

Zhang Yaozuo frowned: "How to say?"

Zhang Yaozuo said: "This is the statistical account book of this year's taxes."

Moreover, since the founding of Guangnan East Road, the tax revenue has never exceeded 400,000 yuan. However, Zhang Xueshi has achieved a tenfold increase in taxes within two years of his arrival. According to Zhang Jixiang, the tax revenue of Guangnan East Road next year will be

Taxation will exceed Liangzhe Road, Jiangnan East Road and several other traditional Jiangnan areas, so can I understand that Bachelor Zhang Heng has developed Guangnan East Road into a new Jiangnan?"

The court dispersed in the morning, and then Zhao Zhen summoned Zhang Yaozuo alone, his expression becoming a little gloomy: "Zhang Qing, how much are the taxes this year?"

I heard that a large area of ​​land was reclaimed on Guangnan East Road this year, and business was mainly encouraged, so it is probably because of agricultural development and business encouragement that this achievement was achieved.

…

The uncle and nephew looked at each other and smiled.

Concubine Zhang carefully observed Zhao Zhen's expression. Looking at Zhao Zhen's unhappy look, she also had some guesses in her heart.

Zhang Guifei snorted and said: "It's Zeng Gongliang again, uncle, don't worry, as long as the officials don't speak, there's nothing they can do to you!"

Han Qi turned around and bowed to Zhao Zhen: "I would like to ask your Majesty, if you appoint a Hanlin bachelor and a Gui Shizhong, you can bring a new Jiangnan to the Song Dynasty. How many Hanlin bachelors and ministers are you willing to grant?

Are you in trouble?"

Concubine Zhang buried her head in Zhao Zhen's arms and said with great emotion: "This concubine is the greatest luck in her life when she meets an official."

After the morning meeting ended, Zeng Gongliang slowly walked out of the court thoughtfully.

Concubine Zhang's face suddenly turned gloomy: "Huh, this money-grubbing rat is always against me. One day I will demote him to Qiongzhou!..."

Zhao Zhen quickly half hugged and half supported Concubine Zhang, helping her up and saying: "My dear concubine, there is no need to be like this, there is no need to be like this."

Zeng Gongliang nodded slightly and waved his hand to let the subordinate go.

Concubine Zhang said: "You can do this..."

Han Jiang looked at Han Qi disdainfully and said: "... Bachelor Zhang Heng developed a barbaric state into a new Jiangnan. This credit can only be paid off by a Hanlin bachelor and an official?"

And what we are discussing now is that Bachelor Zhang Heng took in five million victims of the East-West Road in Hebei Province and allowed them to survive. Such an achievement could not be fooled by a Hanlin bachelor and others.

Concubine Zhang cried and said: "Although the natural disaster is God's will, it is my uncle's fault that he did not solve it properly. If the officials punish my uncle, I will not complain about it. This is a business matter, and I am a concubine.

, I definitely won’t complain, just do it your way.”

Zhang Yaozuo handed it over directly: "It's just for you to see."

Zhao Zhen forced a smile and said: "I'm not angry at all, I just feel a little unhappy."

Zhang Yaozuo let out a long sigh: "I'm afraid it won't be that simple this time. It's just about other things. Even the officials... won't tolerate me for this kind of thing!"

Zhang Yaozuo felt a little relieved, but he was still a little worried and said: "I'm afraid that the officials can't protect this matter. Those people like Zeng Gongliang are really too hateful..."

Concubine Zhang was delighted when she heard this and said, "Your Majesty still understands me."

Zeng Gongliang snorted.

In the fourth year of Jingyou's reign, Zhao Zhen appointed Wang Sui and Chen Yaozuo as prime ministers, and Han Yi and Shi Zhongli as deputy prime ministers.

Finally passed this level!

Moreover, there is a very outstanding road this year, the taxation has increased nearly ten times, and this is just the beginning. By next year, the taxation of all roads will return to normal. With the growth of this road, next year's taxation may reach the level since the founding of the Song Dynasty.

The highest peak!”

Zhang Yaozuo and others were almost ready to report before he stood up and said, "Your Majesty, I have something to report."

Han Qi's expression remained unchanged and he said, "Oh, what's wrong?"

"The Privy Councilor is wrong!"

Zhao Zhen touched Concubine Zhang's head and said with a smile: "It doesn't matter, it doesn't matter..."

and……"

When everyone saw it, they couldn't help but smile knowingly. The person who spoke was Han Jiang.

Zhao Zhen dropped the cup, startling Zhang Yaozuo. Zhao Zhen gritted his teeth and said: "You still have the nerve to raise money. If you hadn't given the blind instructions, why would you have done this! I... I... If I hadn't seen

With Concubine Zhang’s face, I should send you to Qiongzhou!”

Han Qi raised his eyes and said: "Your Majesty, didn't you give Academician Zhang the title of Hanlin Bachelor and Shizhong before? That's the reward for the work, and you can't give two rewards for one thing."

After hearing this, Zhao Zhen felt much better and said with a smile: "Actually, I can't blame my uncle. This year is indeed too difficult. Alas, replacing someone else as the third envoy will not change the status quo. Alas."

Concubine Zhang showed a smile: "I heard that Guangnan East Road is a wild road, but this place ranks so high. Is it Zhang Heng's credit?"

As soon as Zhang Yaozuo said these words, the court was immediately in an uproar.

Zhao Zhen was overjoyed when he heard this: "Really? Which road has the tax increased tenfold?"

Concubine Zhang's heart skipped a beat and she quickly asked, "What happened?"

Zhao Zhen laughed loudly after hearing this: "If that's really the case...cough!"

Concubine Zhang smiled reservedly and said to Zhang Yao, "I still have to rely on your support in the court, uncle."

After the subordinate officer left, Zeng Gongliang sneered: "Zhang Yaozuo, Zhang Yaozuo, I didn't expect that you, a low-income person, would also know how to be so cunning and cunning. It's amazing!"

Zeng Gongliang said: "How is it?"

Zhao Zhen returned to the palace gloomily. Concubine Zhang heard that Zhao Zhen was back and rushed over to stay with Zhao Zhen.

Zhao Zhen suddenly said: "My beloved concubine, how do you think I should reward Zhang Heng?"

Concubine Zhang gently held Zhao Zhen's neck and said softly: "Guan, has someone made you angry again? Tell me, I will scold him for you."

Zhang Yaozuo said with a mournful face: "Officials, I can't blame you for this. It's really bad luck. This year there is a severe drought in two roads in Hebei Province. The reform of the salt law on several roads in Chengdu Fu Road has also reduced a lot of salt taxes, as well as the money in surrounding Shaanxi provinces."

Law……"

The two of them are in love with each other, and their love is endless.

Zhang Yaozuo told Zhang Yaozuo about the tax issue. Concubine Zhang listened very seriously, and then comforted Zhang Yaozuo and said: "Uncle, this matter is not your problem. The Song Dynasty was in turmoil, and taxes will naturally drop. This is not surprising.

Go over your head."

Zeng Gongliang looked at Zhang Yaozuo and found that Zhang Yaozuo was smiling and greeting him.

And as far as I know, the development of Guangnan East Road is just the beginning. It will not explode until next year. By then, the tax revenue of the entire Guangnan East Road may reach the top of all roads, and the tax revenue may reach

Ten million strings!

And this is the meritorious service of Bachelor Zhang Heng. I ask your Majesty to reward Bachelor Heng Zhang with a great reward, so as not to chill the heart of the meritorious officer!"

Zhang Yaozuo's face was full of joy: "I would like to congratulate Your Majesty on your new hire. What I want to say is that Guangnan East Road is under the control of Bachelor Zhang Heng. Under Zhang Heng's management, the tax revenue of Guangnan East Road has increased by nearly 20% this year."

ten times!

In the past few decades, the annual taxes on Guangnan East Road have not exceeded 400,000 guan, but this year's tax has reached 3.3 million guan, an increase of nearly ten times!

Zhao Zhen was also very surprised: "The taxes paid by Guangnan East Road this year reached a huge amount of 3.3 million yuan? In previous years, only Fuyu Road could deliver this result. How did Bachelor Zhang Heng do it?

?”

Zhang Yaozuo was overjoyed when he heard this and hurriedly rolled out of Chongzheng Hall.

Zhao Zhen was also sighing: "Yes, Zhang Qing said before that he was willing to accept the victims of the Hebei East-West Road. I thought that the Guangnan East Road could accept hundreds of thousands of victims, which would be regarded as relieving the court's worries. Unexpectedly, he actually accepted nearly five

Millions of people, Master Zhang has made great contributions!"

Concubine Zhang said: "Can I take a look?"

Zeng Gongliang frowned and looked at Zhang Yaozuo in surprise, wondering what kind of medicine Zhang Yaozuo was selling in his gourd.

Zhao Zhen coughed and said, "Scholar Zhang has made great contributions to the country. My dear friends, how do you think the imperial court should reward him?"

At that time, Han Qi was serving as an admonition to the Right Secretary of the Imperial Academy. Han Qi wrote to Song Renzong: "The four old men, Wang Sui, Chen Yaozuo, Han Yi, and Shi Zhongli, are eating people's food and not doing anything for human affairs. They know how to use power for personal gain and bring trouble to the government."

Did Ancestor Taizong work so hard to start a business just to let these four old men do harm at will?"

On the second day, Zhang Yaozuo went to court with his account book.

Zhao Zhen gritted his teeth and said, "I gave you the management of the Third Division, and this is how you repay me!"

Suddenly she pointed to the content above and said, "Uncle, did Zhang Heng go to Guangnan East Road to work as a transfer envoy?"

Concubine Zhang quickly asked: "Uncle, why don't you look very good? Did something happen?"

Zhang Yaozuo sighed and said: "Something big happened!"

Concubine Zhang quickly broke away and knelt down to thank Zhao Zhen: "Thank you for your magnanimity. I am not protecting my uncle, but I only have one elder, and I can't bear to make him sad."

Concubine Zhang's beautiful eyes glanced over Zhang Yaozuo, saw the account book held by Zhang Yaozuo, and asked curiously: "Uncle, what is in your hand?"

Anger flashed across Zhao Zhen's face, making Zhang Yaozuo tremble with fear.

Concubine Zhang was shocked when she heard this and said: "The officials...I..."

Therefore, Han Jiang and Han Qi have never been at odds with each other. Especially after Han Jiang was appointed Zhizhigao last year and was eligible to participate in the early court, Han Jiang actually opposed Han Qi's decision.

Zeng Gongliang himself was not good at all, but he was very defensive. The two masters and apprentices had conflicts with Zhang Yaozuo before, so he would not think that Zhang Yaozuo would be so magnanimous in asking for credit for Zhang Heng.

Zhang Yaozuo heard Zhao Zhen's question and quickly replied: "I don't know exactly how it was done, but we can get a glimpse of some things from the data.

Chen Zhizhong seemed to be a stranger and did not speak.

So when everyone saw Han Jiang refuting Han Qi, they all laughed heartily.

Zeng Gongliang was about to speak but stopped.

"boom!"

Zeng Gongliang returned to his own room in the political affairs hall, summoned a subordinate, and whispered a few words to him. The subordinate quickly left and came back.

When Zhao Zhen saw it was Zhang Yaozuo, a smile appeared on his face: "Oh, it's Zhang Jixiang, please tell me."

Concubine Zhang Guifei said: "Uncle, you can think in another direction."

Zhao Zhen said quickly: "Don't be anxious, don't be anxious, I don't mean to blame you, on the contrary, I just want to praise you, otherwise it would be really difficult for me."

Concubine Zhang Guifei talked to Zhang Yaozuo in a low voice for a while, and Zhang Yaozuo's face gradually became happy. When they finally left, Zhang Yaozuo and Concubine Zhang said: "With you in the Zhang family, there is hope for great prosperity!"

Zhao Zhen praised: "My noble concubine is a smart woman, and she has saved me a lot of troubles, hahaha."

After hearing this, Zhao Zhen laughed and said, "Oh, where does the joy come from?"

Concubine Zhang took it over and looked at it for a while, and she found that this year's taxes had dropped too much compared to previous years, with a total of 20 million yuan missing. She was also a little shocked.

Zhang Yaozuo kowtowed repeatedly.

The subordinate said in a low voice: "Ding Kongmu said that the total tax this year is more than 60 million guan, which is a full 20 million guan less than last year."

Although Han Jiang and Han Qi both share the surname Han, there is no relationship between the two Hans, and there is even some hatred between them.

Zhang Yaozuo said: "I congratulate your majesty and congratulate your majesty!"

Zhao Zhen looked at Han Qi and then said: "Okay, I already have an idea. Let's discuss this later. Let's stop here today."

Just as Han Qi finished speaking, someone said loudly.

Because of Han Qi's impeachment, Zhao Zhen dismissed Wang Sui, Chen Yaozuo, Han Yi, and Shi Zhongli from their positions as prime ministers.

And it was Guangnan East Road that refused to refuse anyone who came. It received a large number of victims who had no way out from Hebei's East-West Road and sent them to Guangnan East Road to distribute food and land to them. According to household statistics, Guangnan East Road

The road received nearly five million disaster victims in total!

Tsk tsk, Guangnan East Road received 5 million disaster victims and also paid 3.3 million guan in taxes to the court. Your Majesty, Zhang Heng has made great contributions!"

The taxes paid on Guangnan East Road include commercial tax, agricultural tax, tea, salt and wine tax, etc. Among them, the agricultural tax has increased from less than 100,000 guan to today's 1 million guan, while the commercial tax has increased from less than 100,000 guan to now.

From 100,000 guan to more than 1.5 million guan today, the increase in tea, salt, and wine taxes is not too great. The main growth points are agricultural taxes and commercial taxes.

Han Jiang was undaunted and said with a very calm expression: "The reason why the imperial court awarded Zhang Heng a Hanlin bachelor and Shizhong was because Zhang Heng added 40,000 hectares of fertile land to Guangnan East Road and increased the population by 500,000 to 600,000.

reason.

Zhang Yaozuo was stunned and said: "That's what happened, what's wrong?"

Zhang Yaozuo quickly took the account book and looked at it. Sure enough, Guangnan East Road ranked among the top five. He couldn't help but feel a little jealous and said: "Zeng Gongliang is going to be proud again now!"

Zhang Yaozuo saw Zhao Zhen's color and immediately understood that Zhao Zhen had understood his trick, and quickly said honestly: "This year's tax is 62.36 million yuan."

Zhang Yaozuo relied on his niece to rise to power, and most people would not provoke him. Neither Chen Zhizhong nor Han Qi would easily provoke him.

This time, taxes were significantly reduced. Zhang Yaozuo knew that Chen Zhizhong, Han Qi and others would not demand punishment, but he was worried that he would give him a blow, so he praised Zhang Heng and asked for credit for Zhang Heng, thinking that he would consider his disciples.

, and will not impeach him.

"Huh! You really look down on me. If you do this, you think I will not impeach you just to be upright. This is the kind of person I am in your eyes..."

Zeng Gongliang said disdainfully.

"...However, since you know a lot about the world and know how much I love my disciples, I won't argue with you this time. Anyway, you may not be able to pass this hurdle early next year. Haha, I will see which department you want to cut the expenses of.

!”