Chapter 155: Stingy Prime Minister Han Zhang, a Woman Blocks His Way in the Street

It was originally agreed that he would be the Junior Tutor.

After all, the case of the two kings colluding with the enemy and treason was destined to be recorded in history.

It would be unreasonable if the official who presided over the case was not rewarded.

But Wang Anshi had always been an official in the local area. How did he suddenly become the Junior Tutor of the Crown Prince?

Even if Wang Anshi was to be left to the crown prince, he couldn't be promoted like this, right?

At the very least, some face-saving projects should be taken seriously, right?

Of course, this had nothing to do with Wei Yuan, "I have heard of Mr. Wang's talent for a long time. It is most appropriate for him to serve as the Junior Tutor of the Crown Prince."

The only real official positions he holds now are the Cavalry Commander and the Assistant Minister of the Ministry of War.

And they are from the fourth rank to the third rank.

Only the Honorary Officer Shang Hujun and the soon-to-be-appointed Junior Tutor of the Crown Prince have higher official titles.

But no matter what, this was Wei Yuan's step-by-step rise.

Unlike Wang Anshi, who was directly promoted several ranks and became the Minister of Personnel and the Junior Tutor of the Crown Prince.

This has never happened since the founding of the Great Zhou Dynasty.

It can be seen that Zhao Zhen can't wait to arrange some things.

Zhao Zhen asked curiously: "Have you heard of him?"

Wei Yuan smiled and said: "Didn't you all talk about him just now?"

Zhao Zhen smiled and said, "You are the future pillar that I value, so there is no need to flatter him."

Wei Yuan said: "No matter how talented Wang Anshi is, he is not here. As the loyal and brave earl personally appointed by your majesty, I don't have to flatter him."

"I just want to say that your majesty knows people and appoints them well."

A joke dispelled the melancholy and solemnity after the end of the big case.

Zhao Zhen said earnestly: "Wei Qing, I asked you to preside over the case of the two kings colluding with the enemy. Do you have any ideas in your heart?"

Wei Yuan shook his head, "I still say that I will do whatever your majesty asks me to do, and I will never complain."

Zhao Zhen was speechless.

Wei Yuan continued, "Everyone says that I have a good master, so I can have the status I have today."

"But I know in my heart that without Your Majesty, I would not be here today. As the saying goes, the king and the minister are father and son, and the minister should share the king's worries. It is only natural."

Zhao Zhen nodded, "Good Wei Qing, you still have a long way to go."

"Some time ago, Wang Anshi also submitted a letter to me, and also mentioned the matter of lifting the sea ban."

"I will finalize your position as a junior tutor before the big meeting before the New Year. In March, you will lead the new army to the south to fight a few beautiful battles for me."

Wei Yuan bowed solemnly, "Please rest assured, Your Majesty."

Zhao Zhen said again, "When Wang Anshi enters the capital, you will wait for me to welcome him."

"You two are both loyal ministers of the country. Knowing each other in advance will also help you to govern the country together in the future."

Wei Yuan was a little surprised.

Let me go to welcome Wang Anshi to the capital?

What does Your Majesty mean?

The future loyal ministers may only be a pair of future Han Zhang and Zhang Fu.

The emperor issued an order, and Wei Yuan had to obey.

The next day.

Zhao Zhen issued an order to announce it to the world.

The evidence of the two kings' collusion with the enemy was conclusive.

There were 72 officials and countless merchants who committed the crime, among whom more than 30 were executed, and more than 1,400 officials' families were exiled.

Including the two kings' mansions, the confiscated property was equivalent to nearly 70 million taels of silver.

It was equivalent to the fiscal revenue of the Great Zhou Dynasty in one year.

Of course, the silver here refers to the comprehensive income from the confiscation of property, including but not limited to antiques, calligraphy and paintings, silk, grain, industry, land deeds, etc. If you calculate carefully, it is impossible to have 70 million taels.

This is just the account that the court showed to the people. Zhao Zhen didn't know how much he took behind the scenes.

In short, all the silver that was exposed had to be handed over to the Ministry of Revenue, and the silver that was not disclosed belonged to Zhao Zhen.

In other words, the country had money.

After this battle, not only did the money lost in the past few years of military affairs make up for it, but there was even a surplus.

Zhao Zhen could also do some things that he usually wanted to do but didn't dare to do.

As soon as the court had money, Wei Yuan was not idle, and immediately began to train the new army intensively.

Moreover, as the right assistant minister of the Ministry of War, he wrote to Zhao Zhen, hoping to replace a batch of swords and armor.

This letter was detained by Han Zhang when it arrived at the Secretariat.

Wei Yuan was puzzled, so he went to argue,

"Grand Minister Han, the new army should look like a new army. You can take a look at the Danglu Army. Most of the armor they wear is worn out, and even some bows and crossbows are rusty. What new army can you talk about?"

Han Zhang was unwilling to pay,

"General Wei, although you have made meritorious deeds in handling cases, if everyone is like you, coming to me for money today for this matter, and tomorrow for that matter."

"By then, even if the court has more money, it will be spent by you."

"Now the country is in ruins and money is needed everywhere. Let's talk about replacing military equipment when the treasury is full."

Wei Yuan said: "I don't ask for much , one million, no, five hundred thousand taels, that's five hundred thousand taels."

"As long as we can replace a batch of armor, I'll find a way for the crossbows and arrows."

Han Zhang shook his head and said, "No."

"If General Wei doesn't want the military expenditure for next year, I can think of a way."

Wei Yuan said, "You are not keeping my letter, is it not in accordance with the rules? Do you really have to bring it to His Majesty before Prime Minister Han will let go?"

Han Zhang said, "I did not present your letter to His Majesty, but I have told His Majesty what you mean."

"Your Majesty said that we should focus on the current needs of the court and let this prime minister take care of it."

Take care of it?

Wei Yuan took a deep breath and said, "Then you take care of it!"

"If the new army misses training because of this matter, we will go back to His Majesty to reason!"

Finally, Han Zhang saw Wei Yuan's ability with words and allocated 300,000 taels of silver to the new army.

It's better to have it than not.

Wei Yuan wants to use these 300,000 taels of silver to train a special forces team that fits this era.

The number of people should not be too large, about three hundred people are enough.

And this team will appear in the army in the form of Zhongyongbo's personal escort.

Anyway, there is no way for him to spend his own money to form such a team.

After all the talk, three hundred thousand taels of silver were squeezed out of Han Zhang's teeth. These days, nothing can be done without money.

Wei Yuan thought that it was because Han Zhang had a prejudice against him that he was like this.

However, before he left Zhongshu Province, he saw an official from the Ministry of Industry coming over, saying that he needed money to build the imperial mausoleum.

Han Zhang refused without saying a word.

"There has been heavy rain in the past few days, and the embankments in various places are in danger of bursting. Once this matter is over, we will finalize several major expenditures and allocate money to you to repair the imperial mausoleum."

Hearing this, Wei Yuan's arrogance was mostly gone.

Yu Gong said that in the entire Zhou Dynasty, there was indeed no one more suitable to be prime minister than Han Zhang.

——

The big case is over.

Wei Yuan heard from several people in the Imperial City Department.

There is a rumor circulating among the people recently.

It is said that the two kings and some officials, merchants, etc. involved were not guilty of collaborating with the enemy and treason.

At most, it is a crime of corruption and bribery.

The imperial court had to form a new army and amend the Salt Law. There was money everywhere.

But the tax situation in recent years has really not been good.

I had no choice but to build a big prison and make some money.

Wei Yuan had to admit that any rumors were definitely not groundless.

Anyway, after this battle, the pockets of the imperial court and Zhao Zhen were bulging.

Whenever those in power in the past dynasties were short of money, they usually obtained it from three sources: one from officials, two from merchants, and three from the common people.

Competing with the people for profit, using the people's money, and imposing taxes is the way to end the dynasty and the way to death.

Zhao Zhen definitely doesn't want to do it.

However, targeting the two royal parties will not only gain money, but also give the court a chance to breathe.

It can also eliminate some hidden dangers and protect the country's crown prince. It can be said to be done once and for all. Why not do it?

Just when Wei Yuan left Zhongshu Province and was about to return home to rest.

But he saw a dilapidated carriage with the words "Taichang Temple" printed on it on the street outside the imperial city parked in front of him.

Wei Yuan didn't care.

Taichang Temple wants to give up the chariot of Zhongyongbo's mansion.

But the other party did not give in. Wei Yuan didn't know what he meant, so he asked someone to come forward and ask.

But inside the carriage, a woman opened the curtain, and she slowly said:

"My little lady took the liberty of coming here today to thank you, General Wei, for sending me this letter."