That afternoon, the Qingfeng Teahouse in Yongkinen Gate, Lin'an was filled with tea guests, and several scholars sat on the second floor by the boat window. They were drinking tea while talking about the current situation.

"I think Li Yanqing is still courageous and knows how to release water to raise fish. Just looking at the suspension of commercial tax, it is like a spring rain, and business is rapidly prospering. Qingfeng Teahouse is already the fifth one. If it were in the past, who would have been willing to give up commercial tax?"

"The same is true for exemption from service. When Yuanfeng reorganized, he said he would cancel it. After discussing for seventy or eighty years, no one had the courage to cancel it. When Li Yanqing came to power, he said he would cancel it. The tax revenue of more than 20 million yuan per year was gone. If anyone else had no such courage."

At this time, another middle-aged scholar shook his head and said, "You haven't mentioned the root cause. Why did Li Yanqing dare to cancel but dare not cancel before? Are you not afraid of the court drinking the northwest wind?"

Several scholars laughed and said, "I wish to listen to Brother Yang's high opinion!"

The middle-aged literati was obviously a famous official, and he knew the situation well. He stroked his beard and smiled: "It has something to do with the Jin Dynasty. It is not to praise the Jin Dynasty, but the Song Dynasty crisis caused by the Jin Dynasty has alleviated the three redundant shortcomings of the Song Dynasty to a certain extent, including redundant soldiers, redundant officials, and redundant expenses. Everyone knows! In the past, the imperial court raised more than 1.4 million troops, and the annual salary of the army was 50,000 to 60 million jin. How many troops are there now? The Western Army is 300,000, Yue Dutong, 50,000 to 50,000 to 60,000 to 60,000 to 60,000 to 60,000 to 600,000 to 200,000 to 200,000 to 200,000 to 200,000 to 200,000 to 200,000 to 200,000 to 200,000 to 200,000 to 200,000 to 200,000 to 200,000 to 200,000 to 200,000 to 200,000 to 200,000 to 200,000 to 200,000 to 200,000 to 200,000 to 200,000 to 200,000 to 200,000 to 200,000 to 200,000 to 200,000 to 200,000 to 200,000, almost half of them have been removed."

"It's right! Let's have a drink."

Everyone drank a glass of wine, and the middle-aged man stroked his beard and said, "Everyone understands the expenses of the imperial relatives. The former emperor's flower world, the flower and stone sect emptied our Jiangnan. Now this area has basically no expenses, saving at least tens of millions of chunks a year. The expenses of these two big heads and one province will be much easier. Li Yanqing certainly has the capital to reform."

"It's right!" Everyone applauded, and even other tea guests also applauded.

"Old Yang, let's talk about redundant officials!"

The middle-aged scholar pondered and said, "It is difficult to deal with redundant officials. To strengthen government reform, we must break the system set by Taizu. Now Li Yanqing has offended many local officials because of the implementation of the reform of the sale. Therefore, the court and local governments have resisted the reform of the official system more severely. I guess they will gradually change it. I heard a rumor that they may start with the reduction of idle officials, such as the governor, the gang, the governor, and the like. There are also the merger of the six ministers and the six ministries, and then the income of the real power officials should be increased. This is the idea."

No one spoke anymore. The reform of the officialdom actually involved everyone's personal interests. It was too sensitive and it was hard for everyone to express their opinions casually.

Just next to the several scholars, there were two middle-aged men, one man and one woman, who looked like a couple. The man was about forty years old, and the woman was a little younger, and they all looked well-educated. They were listening to the conversation next door silently. At this time, the woman whispered: "Mingcheng, I'd better go find him! He is not the kind of merciless person."

The couple was Zhao Mingcheng and his wife Li Qingzhao. Zhao Mingcheng was formerly the governor of Qingzhou. After the Jin soldiers came, the couple fled south to Jiangnan. Their property was robbed by Jin soldiers and bandits. Zhao Mingcheng was originally appointed as the magistrate of Jiangning and was dismissed for committing crimes. After the palace coup last year, he took out all his property to manage Huang Qianshan and was appointed as the governor of Huizhou. However, Li Yanqing made up the trouble and rebuilt the throne. Zhao Mingcheng was dismissed again because he became a pseudo-official.

The couple donated their property and lost their income. They made a living by selling Li Qingzhao's fine jewelry. They were unable to make ends meet and lived a very difficult life. Today is Zhao Mingcheng's birthday. Li Qingzhao sold her last silver hairpin and invited her husband to have tea to celebrate. She happened to hear several literati next door chatting, which aroused Zhao Mingcheng's sadness.

Zhao Mingcheng shook his head, "It's not that he didn't know that I was the governor of Huizhou, but he approved the removal of me. If he had nostalgia for the past, he wouldn't be so cruel. Moreover, we are by his side, and he has never come to us. What's the use of begging him?"

Li Qingzhao pondered for a moment and said, "You can't say that. It's a matter of principle that he dismisses you. You won't show mercy just because you are an acquaintance. He may not know that we live in a humble room. Maybe he has also looked for us, but we don't know. I think since he is willing to marry Shishi and never abandon him for ten years, it means that he is not a kind person. At least he will help us for Shishi's sake."

Zhao Mingcheng sighed and said, "Then you go! I really don't have the courage to ask him."

"Okay! I'll go find him today."

The couple discussed for a while and then stood up and left.

Because Li Yanqing had not come to Beijing from Jingzhao, he temporarily lived in his old house in his past and did not buy a royal mansion for himself. In fact, his old house was not small, covering an area of ​​ten acres, and the wall was raised, and the plaque of the Jin royal mansion was hung. The open space was built around him as a personal military camp. There were soldiers standing guard outside the door, which was quite imposing. He also seemed to be frugal and won a good reputation.

At dusk, Li Yanqing's carriage slowly stopped in front of the gate of the mansion under the escort of hundreds of cavalry. Li Yanqing came out of the carriage and walked quickly into the gate of the mansion.

"Is there anything wrong?" he asked, handing the cloak to a female guard.

"In the afternoon, the wife and the others arrived in the capital tomorrow morning."

"Okay! There's nothing else!"

The female guard hesitated and said, "There is a woman waiting for you outside the mansion. She has been waiting for you for more than half an hour. She refuses to enter the mansion and says she is your old friend."

Li Yanqing was stunned. He didn't see anyone!

He quickly walked to the front door and saw a woman standing by the wall opposite. Her dress was worn and her face was quite haggard. He looked closely and was shocked. Isn’t this woman Li Qingzhao?

Li Yanqing hurriedly walked forward. It was indeed Li Qingzhao. He asked in surprise: "Why is the eldest sister here?"

Li Qingzhao was both happy and sad at this time. Is it Li Yanqing still knowing her, and she calls her elder sister, and sad because Li Yanqing has changed so much that she can't recognize her at all. When Li Yanqing walked out of the carriage just now, she didn't dare to recognize her. Is this still the simple and energetic young man back then?

Li Yanqing also knew why Li Qingzhao came to find him, it must be for Zhao Mingcheng's business. He did not let go in principle, but he did not expect that Li Qingzhao would have lived such a embarrassed, shabby, haggard, and could not see a piece of jewelry on her body. With her nobleness, if she had not had to, she would never have come to find him.

"If you have any words, let's go inside and say, come with me!"

Li Qingzhao nodded silently, followed Li Yanqing into the palace, and came to the living room to sit down.

The maid served them tea, and Li Qingzhao forced a smile and asked, "Is your wife and children not here?"

"They are still on the way, probably to Lin'an tomorrow. Sister, where are you living now?"

"We also live in Lin'an and rented two small houses, one full of gold and stone objects, and the other one was lived in by our husband and wife."

"What's the point of living?"

Li Qingzhao shook her head, "Didn't you see that there is no jewelry on me? Mingcheng wants to collect some students, but we can't even afford to rent the venue, so he had to copy books and earn some money to make a living."

"Why is it so embarrassing? Mingcheng has been the governor of Qingzhou for several years."

"We are confused. Mingcheng is eager to seek official positions and went to find Huang Qianshan. He thought he was an old friend, so he was willing to help find an errand. As a result, he blackmailed all our money and gave Mingcheng an official position. Unfortunately, Mingcheng was dismissed without even receiving his first month's salary."

Li Yanqing felt a sense of guilt. He got up and walked out, ordered his personal soldiers to say a few words, and then came back and said, "I understand, I will definitely help you."

Li Yanqing thought for a while, "Let's do this! Mingcheng first aggrieved him to serve as the Imperial Academy, and first make the Imperial Academy for me. In two years, he will be arranged to go to the six ministries and let him report to the Ministry of Personnel the morning after tomorrow."

Li Qingzhao was surprised and arranged an official position so quickly. She suddenly remembered that Li Yanqing was the regent of the regent of the state, so she quickly got up to salute.

Li Yanqing waved his hand and asked her to sit down, and smiled and said, "With my eldest sister's talent, it would be a pity to be idle at home. Why don't I ask you to be a mat and teach my sister and eldest daughter to read and write poetry."

"How old is your eldest daughter?"

"I'm six years old and named A Lian. She is actually Shishi's adopted daughter. I think she is born, but my sister is older and ten years old."

Li Qingzhao nodded and smiled, "Since it's Shishi's daughter, I can teach her."

Li Qingzhao finally settled down, sat down for a while, and talked about their past few years, and then Li Qingzhao got up and said goodbye.

Li Yanqing smiled and said, "Wait a minute, I'll give you something."

Li Qingzhao waved his hand quickly, "I have received my heart, but I can't ask for your property, Mingcheng will be angry."

"It's not my thing, it's your own."

"What is that?" Li Qingzhao asked in a little surprised.

"Sit for a moment and you'll be here soon."

After a moment, two personal soldiers walked into the lobby and carried a box with seals on it. Li Qingzhao was stunned for a moment, "This is it."

Li Yanqing smiled and said, "Can you recognize it?"

Li Qingzhao stepped forward and gently stroked the box. Of course she could recognize that the box was still her dowry item. This was the box of silver her husband gave to Huang Qianshan! All their belongings were exchanged for this box of silver, a total of two thousand taels of silver.

She looked behind her back and there was a note of "Zhao Mingcheng Jingcheng" on the box, and the box had never been opened.

"I found it in the search of Huang Qianshan's house. I detained it and prepared to return it to you. But there has been no news about you. Since my elder sister is here, I will take it back today!"

Li Qingzhao suddenly had the urge to cry. She wiped the tears in the corners of her eyes and choked and said, "Yanqing, thank you really!"

Li Yanqing sighed and said, "I know you have resentment towards me. To be honest, I am also very sorry."

"I never blamed you!"

Li Qingzhao shook her head and said, "I have firmly opposed Mingcheng's pursuit of Huang Qianshan. I also advised him not to be the Supreme Emperor. You know that Mingcheng has always been keen on fame and fortune. He is a little dissatisfied with you, but this is not your fault."

"No matter what, I will do my best to help you. Mingcheng is capable and has enough qualifications, but he is not very lucky. If you go back and comfort him and let him do it well, I will give him a future."

Li Qingzhao was grateful, so she stood up and said goodbye. Li Yanqing asked her carriage to take her back and returned it to her with the box.
Chapter completed!