When Xiao Guozi went to see Zhu Houzhao, he was also wondering whether he would really bypass Concubine Li.

After thinking about it, Xiao Guozi still abandoned this idea. When he thought of the fate of Liu Jin and Zhang Yuan, he felt agitation in his heart: "These two people were alienated from His Majesty after being the boss, the supervisor of the seal, and the offense of Lord Shen, which ended in such a miserable ending. I cannot repeat the same mistake."

"With Empress Li's helping with advice, I don't have to worry about things. It's always a good thing. In addition, I haven't become the boss's supervisor and I have to keep a low profile."

When Xiaotengzi carried boxes of silver to Zhu Houzhao, Zhu Houzhao laughed happily.

Even the emperor who owns the world, Zhu Houzhao hasn't seen so much money for a long time. He said happily: "Little Twist, you are really capable. You have only been able to get so much money in just a few days, which really makes me admire you."

As long as Zhu Houzhao has money, everything will be fine. He never asks where the money comes from. When he has money, he will waste it. Anyway, if there is no money, he will naturally get it for him.

Or it can be said that Zhu Houzhaoming knew that the money was not from the right origin and would not ask much about it.

Xiao Tiaozi said, "It's all the people below who respect Your Majesty..."

Originally, Xiao Guozi wanted to talk about the business of communicating rights to those merchants, but Zhu Houzhao had already raised his hand and didn't want to continue listening. Obviously, the emperor knew that he had to pay the corresponding price to get the money. In the past, Zhu Houzhao always asked Liu Jin and Zhang Yuan to finish the follow-up work by themselves.

Zhu Houzhao asked, "Didn't you ask you to reward Mr. Shen's family with silver before? Did you give me the reward?"

Xiao Tiaozi replied, "Ah... Didn't you just rewarded 1,000 taels?"

"What!? Only one thousand taels? It's too little. There are seventy thousand taels here, right? Then... I'll send 5 thousand taels to the Shen family first, and then talk about the reward after Mr. Shen comes back."

Zhu Houzhao gradually learned to be stingy.

If he had his previous personality, he might have given Shen Xi a total of 8,000 taels. Now he has only given 6,000 taels in advance, which is enough to show that he has learned to be very particular about it.

Xiao Taozi originally wanted to talk about the merchants' filial piety to Zhu Houzhao's women and eating, drinking and having fun, but then he thought that this incident might cause Concubine Li's dissatisfaction, so he kept silent. Zhu Houzhao was counting silver there at this moment, like a rustic bully who had never seen the world, his eyes shining and his image was extremely indecent, but Xiao Taozi knew that Zhu Houzhao loved money so much.

I like money and prefer spending money. This is Zhu Houzhao's personality.

"Little Treasure, I'll give Li Fei and the others some rewards... Um, one thousand taels, although not much, it's my intention. After I arrived at Zhangjiakou Castle, I've been tight-knitted. If this continues, I will be faceless. Who is willing to work hard for a pauper?"

Zhu Houzhao looked at the white silver and said with emotion.

Xiao Tiaozi smiled bitterly and nodded quickly.

Zhu Houzhao was in a good mood and said, "Haha, I can finally spend money, it's so damn difficult... I'll leave the money raising matters to you in the future. If you can do it well, I will be rewarded!"

After saying that, Zhu Houzhao didn't explain why he had a "reward" method. He didn't even mention giving Xiaozi silver and money, so he went to the backyard happily.

Xiao Zhuozi smiled bitterly on his face, and felt very frustrated: "How can Your Majesty do this? Even if I don't appoint me as the chief of the Secretariat, at least I will give some other rewards. In this way, I will have the confidence to do things in the future... These are all borrowed silver, and it is still a question of how to return. If I borrow or not, how can I raise money in the future?"

...

...

When Xiao Guozi took the affliction and went to the side courtyard to meet Concubine Li and explained the situation in detail, Concubine Li's face looked very bad.

Xiao Guozi also understood that he had never done anything recently, and the other party would definitely have an objection, so he simply didn't look up and pretended to be pitiful and innocent, without the slightest awareness of doing something wrong.

Li Fei's tone was plain: "My de Cheung has really been able to raise money for His Majesty recently...My de Cheung is so diligent in doing things, I believe His Majesty should be promoted. Will you let Cheung be the next step to be the supervisor of the seal?"

"Empress, please stop making fun of me. I am just a little eunuch who obeys orders. How can I be the chief eunuch? I have always wanted to come to see the empress before and obey the empress's orders, but I have never been able to pass it on. I am also very anxious, afraid that if the empress cannot get sick, I will lose the empress's backer in the future."

Xiao Tiaozi said obediently.

Concubine Li sneered: "Is that true?"

"Empress, do you still believe me? I am in the palace and no one is the backer. You don't know your majesty's temper. If you do something wrong, you may be sent to guard the imperial tomb. I am now trembling in doing things. This time I help Your Majesty prepare for the celebration ceremony. I am afraid that there will be something that is not done well... Isn't I here to ask you for advice?"

Xiao Wuzi took the opportunity to tell the biggest problem at hand about organizing the celebration ceremony.

Concubine Li smiled coldly: "I don't have the ability to help you... I can't even get out of this yard. Who will be transferred to me? Who will listen to me?"

"You can let me do it." Xiao Tiaozi said.

"It's okay, people's hearts are separated from their stomachs. I understand that even if someone is loyal to you, once you have power, you will kick you away. Qian Ning was like this before and Zhang Yuan was like this, I'm afraid you can't help but twist your father-in-law."

Concubine Li held the teacup and shook her head gently, as if she was sighing about life, and a hint of helplessness appeared in her tone.

Xiao Guozi was very surprised and thought to himself: "How did Concubine Li know that I wanted to kick her away? No, Concubine Li is so smart, so naturally she could think of it... Oh, I haven't had the chance to see her recently, so she was staring at me, right?"

"Empress, I dare not betray you... I am yourselves, and death is your ghost." Xiao Zhuozi said as if he was lost.

Concubine Li laughed: "I don't dare to take it. Where is the qualification of this palace? You twisted your father-in-law and took Zang Xian, and you also wanted to respect local officials and generals. Even the merchants in the city consciously gave you silver. The next step is to bypass me and give your Majesty money directly. What do you need to do if you want to do if you are close to Your Majesty? You can do it too. Is this palace qualified to help you?"

Xiao Tiaozi felt extremely awkward and his mind became more and more confused: "Why is Concubine Li so direct? Even if she really has this concern, do you need to explain it to me?"

Xiao Twist knelt down with a "thump" and kowtowed, "Empress, I have no other intentions, but I often can't ask for instructions from the Empress. Don't be surprised by your words... I will remember what you said in my ears, but if you have any orders, please speak as long as you want."

"Forget it, I am not the kind of petty person. Since you say that, I really have something for you to do. If you do it first, just treat it as a compensation for the help of your advice. Whether we can cooperate well in the future is another matter!" said Li Fei.

...

...

Xiao Tiaozi came out of Concubine Li, and her heart was filled with excitement.

"It is said that Concubine Li is kind, but I'm just a scorpion-hearted person. She just made things clear, just to put pressure on me and let me do my best to help her. In fact, she is ready to kick me away at any time, right?"

Xiao Tiaozi's heart was still jumping around "plop". He stopped outside for a long time before he calmed down a little.

"Father-in-law, are you looking for a villain?"

Xiao Luozi appeared in front of Xiao Guozi.

Xiao Tiaozi said, "Little Luozi, Concubine Li has an errand to let our family do it. Our family is worried about others, so they have to let you go. After all, you are the ones that both the Queen and our family trust."

Xiao Luozi smiled and said, "Please give me instructions."

Xiao Tiaozi leaned into Xiao Luozi's ear and said something. When Xiao Luozi heard it, his eyes widened and asked tremblingly: "Dadfather... this... can't be used?"

"What the Empress ordered was our family forcing you? If you don't do this, the Empress will know about it. Don't blame us for not speaking for you." Xiao Zhuozi threatened.

Xiao Luozi looked distressed and finally responded: "Yes, father-in-law, the villain must do the job well. Please rest assured as the father-in-law and the empress."

After saying that, Luo Zi didn't want to stay for a moment and turned around and went out.

Xiao Tiaozi looked at Xiao Luozi's back and frowned, thinking: "What did Concubine Li ask me to do this? This matter is a big deal, just to deceive the emperor. How can I bear this guilt in my identity? Or is she trying to make me commit a letter of fame and deliberately use this to test me?"

Xiao Taozi returned to his residence and immediately called Zang Xian.

At this time, the sky was already dim, and Xiao Zhuozi was thinking about returning home earlier to serve Zhu Houzhao, so he just briefly explained the matter and asked Zang Xian for his opinion.

Zang Xian asked in surprise: "The Empress asked her father-in-law to do such a thing? What is the purpose?"

Xiao Guozi said angrily: "Who asked whom? Are you not powerful? Help us analyze and analyze."

"this……"

Zang Xian seemed very embarrassed and said with a bitter face, "The villain really doesn't know that Concubine Li is so capable. Her thoughts are afraid that a humble person like the villain can guess... Since my father-in-law wants to continue to do things for Concubine Li, he might as well follow her instructions. The villain thinks this is absolutely correct, right?"

Xiao Tiaozi said: "On ordinary times, our family treats you well, and I think you are of great use, but at critical moments, why don't you even have any urgency?"

Zang Xian thought to himself: "If you see things clearly every time, just like Zhang Yuan at the time, you will be disgusted if you look back... Then you think I can do anything, and you will even treat me like a slave."

Xiao Tiaozi waved his hand again: "We have not mentioned the business matters before to Your Majesty, but there is basically no big problem. If those merchants want to trade, they just need to report our name. Your Majesty has given our family the right to raise silver. In other words, our family can use some unconventional means to gather money in the future... Our family does not want to embezzle and accept bribes, and all the money they earn will be handed over to Your Majesty... You can tell those merchants like this."

Zang Xian asked, "That means... I won't pay back the money first, and I will exchange the trade rights with the grassland?"

Xiao Tiaozi nodded and said, "It's probably the meaning. Look back and see the situation, so that these people can be mentally prepared."

...

...

In Datong Town, Huiniang and Li Jingang learned about the news that Chen Xi was about to lead his army to triumph.

They are very happy these days, and are happy every day, hoping to see Chen Xi as soon as possible, but they also have a very important question in front of them, that is, when will they leave Datong and return to Beijing.

After all, Chen Xi cannot come to Datong to meet them, so they also need to consider their next move. For ordinary women like them, it is almost impossible to walk outside without an official as a talisman.

"...Sister, I've inquired, the war is over, but martial law is still in the northwest. The people left by the master are just protecting our safety. I didn't say how to go back. I also tried to ask the people of the government. Even the government didn't know when the martial law will be lifted. We seem to be trapped here now."

Li Jin is very capable, but even if she is capable, she is powerless when it comes to the decisions of the court.

The government's suppression of the people was too powerful. As an ordinary merchant, even if Chen Xi was the background, Chen Xi's power did not extend to all aspects of the Ming Dynasty. Therefore, under the premise of lack of communication with Chen Xi, they could not return to Beijing smoothly.

Hui Niang seemed indifferent: "We don't have to worry about the master. If we really can't go back, as long as we write to the master, the master will definitely make arrangements... Are you afraid that the master will forget us here?"

Li Jin stuck out his tongue and then thought: "Sui'an, Dongxi is still with Hong'er in the capital. Isn't my sister worried?"

Suddenly, when he mentioned his son Chen Hong, Hui Niang was reading the account book, but Yushou stopped, looked up at Li Jin with a resentful look, and said angrily: "As a mother, can anyone not worry about her children? That is, you have not given birth to a child for the master yet, and you will understand after you become a mother."

Li Jin smiled and said, "Sister thinks I don't know anything? I love Hong'er as my own child. Anyway, Hong'er will not be a conscience-free child in the future. We all regard Hong'er as a dependency. Wouldn't it be good?"

Hui Niang gave Li Jin a blank look again: "If you don't want to give birth to a child for the master, I won't force you... Jin'er, you should be concerned, always feel that you are steady in your work, like an old man, but your heart is like a child. Do you rely on other people's children in the future? Don't you want to find a support for yourself?"

Li Jin is not as old as Hui Niang, and Hui Niang is so kind to her that she doesn't have that deep scheming.

"Oh, who made the master more favored... Fortunately, my sister already has children here, so there are more opportunities in the future. After this war is over, the master should not leave the capital for a long time, right?" Li Jin was full of imagination about the future.

"No guarantee!"

Hui Niang said something intentionally or unintentionally.

This has caused the sad things that both sisters have to do. Although they already have Chen Xi as their support, they are actually very few of them. Even when Chen Xi is in the capital, they are rarely seen, let alone Chen Xi is not always in the capital.

"Sister, let's write to the master earlier."

Li Jin said, "We may not be able to leave now. The situation in the northwest is too complicated. We are transporting food. The local government in Datong has been watching it. It is not even possible to do small business. When we return to the capital, we may have to rely on the master to re-stop the business. We can only relax for a few days and wait for the master to reply."

Hui Niang said, "You can write it if you say you want to write a letter and send it as soon as possible. I'm afraid the news will be sent back in another month. It would be great if we can return to the capital before the end of the year. Calm down and wait."
To be continued...