From a son-in-law to a favorite of the empress

Chapter 544

Zhou Yuan and others returned to the inn and began to analyze today's situation. After thinking about it, they did not find any flaws.

Zhuang Xuansu said: "Could it be that he really met a great official? Logically speaking, a fifth-rank prefect like him can stand out among the scholars and be easily promoted."

"As a great scholar, Qiaoshan Gong has a big enough face. He actually refused it impartially."

Zhou Yuan nodded and said: "Give him a reputation. If he doesn't want it, then give him a future."

"Have you prepared the handwritten letter from Zhejiang Governor Li Zhaolu? Bring the handwritten letter tomorrow and continue to visit."

"I don't believe he doesn't want either reputation or future."

Li Yu'an suddenly said: "Is there a possibility that the Bai family has already informed this side? Everyone is wary of us."

This sentence made everyone fall into deep thought.

After a long while, Zhou Yuan nodded and said, "This possibility cannot be ruled out. In fact, they have been on guard for many years and have reached a high level of tacit understanding with the Bai family."

"Except for the Bai family, no grain will be collected and no salt permits will be issued. This way, it will be foolproof. Even the inner court will not be able to find any problems."

"But we have to try that trick tomorrow. No matter how big the family is or how close the relationship is, we are afraid that the monkeys will scatter when the tree falls."

Zhuang Xuansu said, "In addition, if he is really an iron-faced justice, he should have arrested us today."

Zhou Yuan nodded and said, "As long as he is willing to see us tomorrow, it means there is a chance."

Guan Caixi said, "Then tomorrow I won't go. I'll just walk around Yanzhou City. This is my first time here. Anyway, you don't need me there. "

Zhou Yuan frowned and said, "It's stupid. When we analyze others, others are also analyzing us. All behaviors must be consistent with the character setting, otherwise it will be out of place and look fake."

"Details often determine success or failure when they are unknown."

"Just tell me, do you still want to learn kung fu? Do you want to cross the river by stepping on the waves like the Virgin Sister?"

Guan Caixi sighed and said, "Okay... then go..."

...

The next day, Zhou Yuan visited Bao Shanru again, but was rejected.

Zhou Yuan was not discouraged. He waited outside the government office for about an hour and was invited in again.

Bao Shanru frowned and said, "What exactly are you going to do? Are you here to ask for salt permits? Do you really think I dare not arrest you?"

Zhou Yuan still smiled and whispered, "Sir, there is a letter that we forgot to take out yesterday. Please take a look first."

Bao Shanru's face was not good. He took the letter and sat up straight.

He read it back and forth several times, and his eyebrows relaxed.

"So you are Mr. Li's student. I guess you are talented and learned. Mr. Li appreciates you so much. He praised you again and again in the letter and said that you are capable."

Zhou Yuan smiled and said, "It's all praise from my teacher. I am here to sell salt at the request of my teacher."

Bao Shanru sighed and said, "Sir Li was originally the chief judge of Zhejiang Province. He made great contributions in the Liangjiang Rebellion, so he was promoted to the governor of Zhejiang Province. In the past two years, he has also achieved considerable results."

"It is said that His Majesty intends to promote him and let him come to Beijing to serve as the Supervisory Censor. It can be said that it is simple In the heart of the emperor." Zhou Yuan said: "My teacher plans to serve as governor for another two years before going to Beijing. At present, Zhejiang is plagued by bandits and he really can't get away." Bao Shanru was silent for a long time before saying: "Regarding the matter of salt affairs, I am afraid I can't agree." "The court's laws are there, and the people's welfare is there. The rampant private salt has become a worry in your majesty's heart. I am trusted by your majesty and in charge of Yanzhou. I must not break the law knowingly." "Even if Lord Li is highly respected and respected by this official, this official cannot break the precedent of private salt and undermine the laws of the country." "Mr. Shen, please go back. For the sake of Lord Li, I will not hold you responsible. But if you bring up the salt permit issue again, don't blame me for being impartial."

Zhou Yuan stood up and sneered, "Lord Bao is really upright. It seems that the reputation of being an iron-faced justice is not in vain."

"But I happen to be from Lin'an Prefecture, and I know the situation here. It is called the Bai family's salt market!"

Bao Shanru frowned and said in a deep voice, "There is indeed such a saying among the people, and the government and the Bai family also have this saying. There is indeed a tacit understanding of long-term cooperation, but that is because the Bai family transports grain on time, as much as possible, and with good quality, so it has won the favor of the government. "

"But this is just a favor, not a monopoly. Mr. Shen can transport grain before the Bai family at the beginning of next year. If there are no problems in all aspects, Yanzhou will naturally issue salt permits. "

"In doing business, we must also pay attention to first come first served!"

Zhou Yuan said: "Lord Bao said it well, but we dare not wait until next year."

"It is very likely that the Bai family will not be able to wait until next year.Next year."

He narrowed his eyes at Bao Shanru and said calmly: "Lord Bao is very powerful. He should know that there is an imperial envoy going south to inspect the salt, right? This time, the other party clearly wants to attack the Bai family. Lord Bao is likely to be implicated. "

Bao Shanru stood up and said loudly: "This official is upright and upright. I am not afraid of any involvement. Even if the Jinyiwei comes, I am not afraid!"

Zhou Yuan said: "Lord Bao, why do you have to do this? My mentor wrote a letter to support me in selling salt after hearing the news that the imperial envoy went south. "

"You are not without a way out. As long as you establish a good relationship with my Shen family, there will be great scholars in the literati to speak for you, and in the officialdom, there will be Lord Li to help you redress your grievances."

"He who knows the times is a hero. The salt market of these decades should also change its owner, right?"

Bao Shanru slammed the table and said loudly: "Are you threatening me? Ha! I am also a scholar who studied the books of sages and worked my way up from a petty official to a prefect. I have been through a lot over the past few decades. I have seen all kinds of situations and experienced all kinds of storms. Why would I be afraid of threats? "

"Don't even mention that you are threatening me. Even if Li Zhaolu comes to threaten me personally, I am not afraid!"

"Imperial envoy inspecting salt? What I am least afraid of is the imperial envoy! When those hateful corrupt officials are arrested, I will be favored by the emperor and rise to prominence!"

Zhou Yuan was also having a headache. Could it be that the information provided by Guan Lu was wrong this time? Was the information provided by the Wu family wrong as well?

Is this really an iron-faced justice?

He even doubted himself a little.

And Bao Shanru continued, "What reputation, what future? I don't care about those things! But you dared to persuade and even threaten me to issue salt permits with the intention of selling private salt. There is solid evidence. I will arrest you now!"

"Come here! Take this son of the Shen family to jail! "

He has already roared.

"Wait!"

Zhou Yuan said anxiously: "Master Bao, what if I give money? I am willing to pay 30,000 taels of silver..."

Bao Shanru raised his head suddenly, his eyes shining, and said in a low voice: "How much?"

Zhou Yuan was stunned.

This is a real man, he doesn't care about reputation, he doesn't care about future, he wants money.

"30,000 taels of silver! Not a penny less, I'll bring all the banknotes!"

Zhou Yuan said hurriedly.

Bao Shanru walked to the door, scolded the guards who came over, and then closed the door.

He smiled, breathed a sigh of relief, and said: "Sit down, Mr. Shen, why are you standing?"

He sat on his chair, squinted and smiled: "Since you are giving money, just say it earlier, don't use those empty words, what great scholars and officials... I am so far away, I can't enjoy their care. "

"What relationship do you say is more reassuring than money? What reputation is more real than silver? "

"I have been working in the officialdom for decades. I am not a young man who is easily deceived. The iron-faced justice does not play with empty words, but only talks about gold and silver."

"After all, no matter how high your position is or how much power you have, it is all for money."

"I have already understood the essence."

Zhou Yuan raised his thumb and said seriously: "Master Bao, I will teach you. The younger generation should learn from you."

Bao Shanru said: "Whether to learn or not is your business. You should take out the silver notes first. If you can't see the actual things, I can't give you anything."