Shipin Dalizheng

Chapter 249 Receiving Gifts

After leaving Sima's house, they stopped by to visit the twenty shops that had been recovered from Bo's Mansion. These shops were all located in the East Market. Although they were not as luxurious and spacious as those on Qianmen Street, their locations were above average.

As I walked from room to room, I saw that most of the doors were guarded by iron generals and sealed with the Ministry of Justice seals. A few doors were open, and officers and soldiers from the Ministry of Justice were coming in and out to move things.

They walked up to ask and found out that it was the original owner of the shop, a commander guarding the gate who was quite polite.

"Our Shangshu said that although the goods inside belong to the Liang family, the shop belongs to the Jian'an Earl's Mansion. After we have cleaned up, we will return the key to the Earl's Mansion."

Rong Tang knew, however, that this was not something that could be resolved in a day or two. After the Liang family fell, their original business and power were divided up by the dignitaries in the capital. As a new upstart with little background, he was lucky to be able to keep his shop, and he never thought of taking a piece of the Liang family's cake.

He used the opportunity to chat up the Liang family and asked, "I wonder when the Liang family case will be resolved? We're also looking forward to opening for business."

The commander replied cautiously, "I don't know for sure, but based on past examples, it usually takes three to five months to see results."

Liang Bizheng's corruption amount is huge, and it is certain that his case cannot be overturned. Even if Prince Rui delays, he will only linger in prison for a few months.

After inspecting the shops, Rong Tang also identified the gates of several houses along the way. He finally had a concrete understanding of the property of the Jian'an Earl's Mansion. Apart from anything else, he was considered one of the richest men among the nobles in Beijing.

It's not that the Jian'an Marquis's Mansion is one of the most wealthy families in the capital. Compared with other noble families who often have many wives and concubines and dozens of illegitimate children, he, an only child without a father or a mother, has absolutely huge personal assets.

Really fragrant.

He was so ambitious that he wanted to buy land and become a big landlord.

However, it was already late and there was no time to go to the dental clinic for consultation, so he had to return to his uncle's house first.

The Jian'an Earl's Mansion had set off cannons to celebrate in the morning. When they saw him come back, Steward Tao's legs were shaking like hot wheels.

"Master, you are back. I have been so busy all day."

He was really busy, accepting gifts, registering, and greeting guests. Not only him, but also the servants in each courtyard who were usually bored out of their minds had to do two or three things. It was not until late at night and no one came that they were able to take a break.

"what's up!"

Rong Tang habitually thought that something strange had happened.

Unexpectedly, Butler Tao brought a large book of favors to him to look through. "These are the gifts sent by various prefectures in the capital after the imperial edict for your promotion was issued. I don't know what to do with them, so I can only make a book first. Your Majesty, please decide which ones to accept and which ones to return."

Rong Tang didn't feel much when he just looked at the booklet, but when he actually went to the big warehouse, he was surprised to see that it was full. It felt like the family fortune stolen by Jin Shizhao a few years ago had returned.

He gets a headache whenever he sees this. Basically, he has a commanding personality and likes to create new things, but he doesn't have the patience to clean them up bit by bit. This is why he personally built the largest workshop around Shangjing, but he hasn't been in to take a look.

"Just take your people and sort it out slowly. Digest what you can eat and use first, and put away what you can put aside for future return gifts."

"I knew my master would say that." Butler Tao sighed and took out another large stack of invitations. "These are all invitations to the banquet. Not only you, but even the lady has received invitations."

Today, their Jian'an Earl's Mansion has finally regained its foothold in Shangjing. This is not due to the influence of the old uncle, but the ability of the young uncle himself.

Rong Tang didn't have any thoughts about the invitation to herself, but the invitation to Rong Xiu made her pay more attention.

"Wei Shangshu Mansion?"

"The day after tomorrow is Madam Wei's sixtieth birthday. She has sent someone to invite Madam Tai. I'm afraid I won't be able to refuse."

After all, she is the mother of a second-rank official. The treatment in their uncle's mansion is at most equivalent to that of a fourth-rank official in the court. It is really not something that can be taken advantage of.

Rong Tang could probably understand why Madam Wei asked Rong Xiu to come. She must have been feeling bad because of something she had eaten, or she wanted to use Rong Xiu to put pressure on Madam Tang to make her give up the idea of ​​breaking up.

“Really free.”

Old Madam Wei meddled in other people's business all the way to the Pacific Ocean. Rong Tang had no other expectations for Rong Xiu except that she could be tougher. If she found out that Old Madam Wei said something wrong, she would confront her if she had a mouth, and leave immediately if she didn't.

He asked Butler Tao to convey his thoughts to Rong Xiu.

"Young Master said, don't be afraid of offending others. If you do, he's there for you. It's enough for you to not bring disgrace upon the prestige of the House of Lords."

Rong Xiu hadn't dared to face Rong Tang for some days, and when she heard that, her face was blank. "I understand."

She was also very panicked. Madam Wei was a very serious and stubborn person. She adhered to the rules and was particularly fond of finding fault with women's reputations, as if she was the only perfect woman in the world and everyone else was unqualified.

The next day, as he was preparing for a long journey, Rong Tang decided to buy some useful things, such as horses.

Last time, Sima Zhi gave him three military horses. He, Rong Zhan, and Rong Wanli were going together. Each of them needed two horses to exchange, so they needed three more horses.

Rong Zhan walked to his left and asked, "Master, the Emperor knows what happened in the south now. We won't be back for ten days or half a month. Do we really not need to report it?"

It is necessary to report it, otherwise if you are gone for several months and Emperor Xuan Ning finds out, he will be suspicious even if you call him your biological father, let alone your uncle.

"We have to wait for the right time."

He relied on a bird of prey to communicate with the South, a convenience not afforded to anyone else in the Northern Dynasty. The Zheng family had first seized on his influence, conducting a targeted investigation before finally uncovering information about the Earl of Annan. Emperor Xuanning's own spies hadn't yet reported back. If he informed Emperor Xuanning at this point that the Southern Court was in chaos and he was planning to take advantage of the situation, what would Emperor Xuanning think?

How can you be so capable? You say you have no ulterior motives, but do you believe it?

As a subject, no matter how big the matter is, the emperor must first get the first-hand information so that he can feel safe.

Who would have thought that by coincidence, the three of them were buying horses in Taipei City and met Zheng Changning who was also buying a saddle.

"Hey, little uncle."

Rong Tang also grinned, "Mr. Zheng San."

Zheng Changning paused. Not many people in Dayue knew that he was actually the third son of the Zheng family. They all thought he was the second son of the Zheng family. It seemed that Young Master Rong knew about the existence of his second brother.

Ever since Prime Minister Zheng learned that his second son was still alive, he fell into a frantic search, but in the end, his eldest brother was one step ahead and found out the specific identity of his second son.

He clearly remembered his father's excitement and delight when he heard that his second brother had been appointed a third-rank official in the Southern Dynasty. Seeing that scene, he felt very uncomfortable, first bitter, then relieved.

He had always believed that his status as a concubine's son was the only limitation, and that in terms of intelligence and ability, he was no less capable than any legitimate son. He had used his true abilities to become a captain, proving himself to his father and others.

However, the second brother, who was thousands of miles away, became a powerful official of the third rank on his own without the support of his family. It was obvious who was better.

"Young Master is here to buy a horse. Do you need help looking at it?"

"Alright, let's go together!"

Rong Tang didn't know much about horses and really needed someone to judge them. The few of them walked through the crowded cattle and sheep market and came to the horse market in the northernmost part.

Suddenly, they heard a strange voice shouting, "Come and see the horses, pure Dayuan horses, there are not many left, buy them quickly."

Shangjing City had not traded with the Western Regions for decades. This was the first time since the division of the two emperors, and it immediately attracted many horse buyers to gather and watch.