Chapter 3
Between Tokyo and Xijing in the Song Dynasty, in addition to the waterways of the Bianhe River and Luoshui River, there are also official roads that are densely shaded with locust trees, and the transportation is quite convenient.However, convenience can sometimes become an annoyance. Jin Lan can figure it out clearly that Tang Kang sent someone to send back Tang Kang's last letter before he arrived in Luoyang. The letter arrives.No matter whether it was Shi Mansion or Wen Mansion, Tang Family or Sang Family, no one knew which road he took after arriving in Luoyang.She estimated the time, Tang Kang should arrive in Bianjing in the next few days, so she had to use a foolish way to send people to guard each road and each ferry in turn day and night.Although I know that this is useless, but for my relatives, if I don't do anything, I really can't feel at ease.
For several days, the inquiring people did not see any trace of Tang Kang and his party. Wen and Jin Lan couldn't close their eyes for several days and nights. to good.The two were eagerly looking forward to Tang Kang's return to the capital, seeing that he was about to be promoted and the family could be reunited again, but unexpectedly something happened halfway, it was a disaster from heaven.Hearing the news for the first time, Wen Shi was almost terrified and didn't know what to do.In the end, Jin Lan could make up her mind. After discussing with the Wen family, the two went to Shifu and Wenfu respectively to inquire about news; because the Tang family was in charge of business in Bianjing, a cousin of Tang Kang, it was difficult to cope with such a situation. He also sent people and horses to report to Hangzhou.But when Wen and Jin Lan came back after inquiring about the news, they talked to each other and realized that Tang Kang's misfortune was really serious. the rebels!Wen's family was born as a lady of a famous family, and the total number of people he has met in his life is probably less than a hundred. He doesn't know what seven thousand people is.When Jin Lan heard this, she gasped and was almost stunned.But as soon as she came to her senses, she immediately discussed with Wen Shi, asking Wen Shi to go back and beg her parents to intercede with Wen Yanbo every day, while besides accompanying Princess Gaoli, she would inevitably go to Shifu and Sang several times a day. Fu Jinlan has been in Bianjing for so many years in the Song Dynasty.Although she usually has many close friends in her boudoir, but at this time, if she walks by herself, it will be too eye-catching.On the contrary, Mrs. Wang Fang of Sang Chongguo is a person who can move around in all the mansions in Bianjing and even in the palace. Not only the very favored Princess Qinghe in the palace has been friends with her for many years, even the current wife of the prime minister, Mrs. Fang, respects her very much. Jin Lan also knew in her heart who controlled Tang Kang's fate. Whether it was Princess Qinghe or the Fang family, they would not be of much use. The emperor and the mother would not allow Qinghe to take part in politics if they loved Qinghe again; and Lu Huiqing's family Fa is very famous. Even if Fang wanted to help with such a big event, he would not be able to say anything at all.But if you understand it, you understand that once the person involved is your husband, no matter how sensible you are, you can't control it. It seems that only by doing this can you feel at ease.She could only hold a little luck in her heart, she could never say anything in front of Princess Qinghe, if Wang Fang could let Qinghe say a word or two in front of the empress dowager or the emperor, maybe it would be another result. After all, there are various requests in the palace , has never been eliminated.
However, even after doing all this, Jin Lan, who is smart and sophisticated, cannot deceive herself and others after all.She couldn't lie to herself at all. Tang Kang's promotion was once regarded by Bianjing officials as a harbinger of Shiyue's comeback. Everyone thought that the emperor might use Shiyue again.It doesn't even take any political insight to see this, just count the number of carriages in Scholars Lane.But Shi Yue's comeback will definitely make Lu Huiqing feel threatened. Lu Huiqing will not let go of anything that can be used, not to mention that Tang Kang really poked a hole in the sky this time!
Although he is good at mobilizing the forbidden army to suppress rebellion and crimes, it is for the court after all, so the officials should not blame it, right?
Those rebels should also be executed according to the law
Jin Lan could only silently smile wryly for all the reasons Wen's weaving made for Tang Kang.She didn't want to add unnecessary pressure to her. A lady from such a famous family as Wen Shi really did a good enough job.However, Jin Lan couldn't find any reason to comfort herself. Since ancient times, for people in high positions, in addition to the content of doing things, the form of doing things is equally important, or even more important.
Still no news from officials?Seeing that the hour hand of the pearl clock in the room inevitably pointed to Youzheng, and the dull bell rang, Jin Lan couldn't help but turned her head and asked for the third time.
The servant girl shook her head and replied in a low voice: "I haven't come back yet."After finishing speaking, she raised her head slightly, glanced at Jin Lan, bit her lower lip lightly, and comforted: Madam, maybe there will be news tomorrow.
Disappointment once again occupied Jinlan's heart.She was silent for a while, then suddenly stood up and said: "Go to Sang Mansion."
As early as a few years ago, Sang Mansion moved from Panlou Street to the vicinity of Xianyifang. This place is not like a commercial area like Panlou Street. Xianyifang is the same as Dong Taishi Lane. An official, the fourth younger brother of the current emperor, Zhao Kai, who is commonly known as the Fourth Prince, the palace is located in the first district of Xianyifang.On the opposite side of the Four Princes’ Mansion, construction projects are also underway at this time. It is rumored in the capital that this is when the officials are building the palace for King Yong Zhao Hao and passing by the first district of Xianyifang. Jin Lan glanced at the future King Yong’s Mansion through the side window of the carriage. There was a sneer on the corner of his mouth.
Today's favor and love for this virtuous king is really embarrassing. The court struggles that Jinlan saw and heard in the past were either naked like the Liao Kingdom. You will die and my blood will flow into a river, and you will never stop; or you will be like Goryeo, although it seems to be irreconcilable, as long as it does not pose a blatant threat, at most it will just force the princes to become monks, but like Song Dynasty. Jin Lan was really amazed by her tenderness and quietness.She is well aware of the inside story. Since Wang Anshi became prime minister, the finances of the Song Dynasty have been gradually regulated; after the reform of the official system, especially in order to deal with the war against Xixia, the financial power has been further moved down, respectively, by the Ministry of Households and the Taifu Temple. Master, the wealth directly controlled by the emperor is getting less and less, and the current emperor is a virtuous monarch. In order to alleviate the expenditure of the treasury, he has repeatedly reduced the expenditure of the palace. Now at least two or three palaces in the palace are in disrepair. He was reluctant to spend money, but in order to build a palace for his younger brother, the emperor actually spent more than 200,000 guan without hesitation!The more than 200,000 copper coins, in addition to expressing the love of the royal brothers to the world and the emperor's emphasis on brotherhood and family affection, actually have only one purpose, which is to let His Royal Highness King Yong live a little farther away from the forbidden area.This is obviously not just the emperor's idea, because Sima Guang, the Minister of the Ministry of household affairs who has always been careful about pennies and pennies, has rarely objected.
Jin Lan didn't like this King Yong very much.People in the Song Dynasty calculated the age of a man by age. In the seventeenth year of Xining, the King of Yan'an was already nine years old, and His Royal Highness Xin Guogong was also eight years old. From the emperor, queen mother, empress to the court ministers, they all began to talk to these two men. The prince chooses the master.However, the king of Yan'an County, the actual crown prince of the Song Dynasty, was weak and sick, and it was difficult for him to enroll, so he has been procrastinating.The queen originally planned to choose a teacher for Duke Xin, but when Jin Lan and the others were happily planning to choose a good teacher for Duke Xin, His Royal Highness Yong Wang played a book, saying something about the order of the elders and the younger. If so, the matter will be lost in the end.
Jin Lan could see King Yong's intentions clearly.Because in the palace, Yan'an County King and Xin Guogong are different from others, they are both raised by the Queen himself, so the chances of inheriting the lineage in the future are naturally higher than the rest of the princes. Xin Guogong's opportunity, and neither Wang Xianfei nor Jin Lan dared to have such ambitions; but if there is any eventuality for the Crown Prince, then among the other princes, Xin Guogong is the oldest and the The queen brought him up, although he has a disadvantage in blood, but it is not impossible for the courtiers to support the older Xin Guogong one day in order to prevent the situation where brothers end up with each other.After all, the so-called lineage is determined by the patrilineal rather than the matrilineal.Although Xin Guogong's Koryo ancestry will be ridiculed by barbarians, he is the son of the Song Emperor after all.What's more, his mother is the princess of Goryeo, and among the princes, his mother's background is the most noble!Although everyone thinks that Xin Guogong has no chance at the moment, Jin Lan believes that things in the world are fickle.
His Royal Highness King Yong obviously had this in mind.The Empress Dowager Gao and the Empress will definitely maintain the order of seniority among the princes. If the sixth son of the emperor, Zhao Gong, has not yet chosen a master to study, let the seventh son study first. This example will inspire the princes to covet them, and future troubles will arise. endless.Anyway, the princes are still young, so they are not afraid of delay, so they naturally suppressed it first.His Royal Highness King Yong was happy to see that the later the princes studied, the better.
The carriage quickly passed the first district of Xianyifang, made seven turns and eight turns in the streets and alleys, and ran for another half an hour before finally stopping in front of the Sang Mansion.When the gatekeeper of the Sang family saw Jin Lan's carriage, someone had already rushed in to report, and he greeted the carriage and entered the mansion through the side door.When Jin Lan got off the car in front of the middle gate, Wang Fang had already brought people to greet her in person.
Cousin.Seeing Wang Fang, Jin Lan hurriedly bowed her head and said softly: How dare you work on your sister-in-law.
Wang Fang helped Jin Lan up with a smile, took her hand and walked towards the inside, smiling, "Lan'er, County Lord Roujia is back."
Jin Lan couldn't help being taken aback.Since the death of Empress Dowager Cao, Roujia has been depressed. Since the thirteenth year of Xining, she has repeatedly asked to go to Gong County to guard the house for Empress Dowager Cao for three years to fulfill her filial piety. This has never happened since the founding of Song Dynasty , It is also nothing in the etiquette.But the Song Dynasty, like the previous dynasties, ruled the world with filial piety. Although the emperor secretly took pity on this girl, kept her in the middle time and time again, and asked the queen and Princess Qinghe to comfort her, but Roujia was very determined, and the emperor had no choice. After agreeing to her, in the fourteenth year of Xining, Roujia left Jingyuan Village and went to Gong County.From then on, Bianjing seldom heard from her.Jin Lan is a very transparent person. When she first entered the palace to meet Concubine Wang Xian, she chatted with the county magistrate of Roujia. Concubine Wang laughed and said that whether it was the late Empress Dowager Cao, or the emperor and empress, the love for Roujia was actually still in Qinghe. People in the upper palace said that the temperament of this nineteenth mother was very similar to that of the eldest princess of the Chu Kingdom who passed away in Xining three years ago.
Jin Lan has never met the beloved daughter of Emperor Renzong, but she has heard of many deeds of her. .But her fate could not escape the curse of the Song Dynasty princess, just as miserable as many Song Dynasty princesses.
Like most princesses, this eldest princess of the Chu Kingdom was unfortunately assigned a son-in-law that she could not like at all, and what was even more unfortunate was that she refused to accept this fate.So in just a few years, the relationship between husband and wife deteriorated rapidly, and finally they had to knock on the palace gate at night to separate from the son-in-law. According to the laws of the Song Dynasty, it is extremely serious to leave the palace gate at night, and this princess often drinks and has fun with her servants. She also couldn't handle the relationship between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law well, which had already attracted attention, which caused a lot of impeachment and uproar among the Taiwanese admonitions, and was finally demoted as Princess Yi.But she didn't care about it at all, she would rather die than divorce the son-in-law, the emperor had no choice but to send someone to intercede with the son-in-law's family, saying that ordinary people don't need to be the son-in-law if they are rich.Euphemistically requesting the son-in-law's family to cancel the engagement. This can be said to be the most shocking event in the history of Princess Chu and all the princesses in the Song Dynasty. At that time, the princess was only twenty-five years old.
But her fate did not turn around because of this, and such a deviant thing made it impossible for her to settle down in the palace.Although her biological mother, Concubine Miao, had a good relationship with Emperor Yingzong who was raised in the palace in many ways, the conflict with Empress Dowager Cao made her position even more embarrassing.When Renzong was alive, Empress Cao had publicly expressed her sympathy for the son-in-law.After Renzong's death, she lost her greatest support even more.And Empress Dowager Gao couldn't accept this kind of behavior that didn't conform to morality and etiquette.The eldest princess of the state of Chu was forced to remarry in the end, and soon died of depression. At this time, it was only eight years since she divorced.
But Jin Lan also knew that legends were far from reality.The princess was clever, clever, mischievous and cute since she was a child, and she was very filial to her parents all her life. Although she was often arrogant, she was a very affectionate and sexual person.So until more than ten years after her death, various stories about this princess are still being circulated in the boudoir of Bianjing from time to time. The grand conferment ceremony of the princess, the luxurious and extravagant wedding are even rumored that she is going to divorce her son-in-law because she fell in love with a servant. Hearing the words Princess Chu or Princess Zhuang Xiao, one's ears would involuntarily perk up.This eldest princess of the Chu Kingdom is already a legend in the boudoir.
However, in Jin Lan's view, the most intriguing thing is the attitude of the current officials towards his aunt.Even though she was the emperor, she could not prevent her from being forced to remarry and die in depression, but after her death, when the ministers discussed her posthumous posthumous title, the officials stepped in and bestowed the posthumous title of Zhuang Xiao on her own. The most bizarre thing about the eldest princess of the country is that, as if it was not enough to vent her anger, the emperor actually demoted the unlucky son-in-law Duwei to Chenzhou for resettlement on the charge of serving the Lord without merit. The public opinion is that the princess is to blame for the disharmony!In fact, the son-in-law, like the princess, is a victim of an unhappy marriage.
From various rumors, Jin Lan felt that Xianfei's jokes and the comparisons of people in the palace were not groundless.At least she can know that the officials are actually very sympathetic to what happened to Princess Chu.And what this nineteenth mother has done since she was a child is like another princess of the Chu Kingdom.The county head is not only equally affectionate, but also filial.The shocking things she has done are even worse than that of the eldest princess of Chu, but she has never deviated from the tradition after all, which is as good as the eldest princess of Chu.If the emperor and empress love her more deeply in their hearts, Jin Lan believes that it is very possible that there are countless princesses of Qinghe in the royal family of Song Dynasty, but there is only one princess of Roujia County!
Thinking of this, Jin Lan felt happy.The friendship between Roujia and Zi'er is still above Qinghe. This county magistrate, she has always dared to say what others dare not say, and she dares to do what others dare not do. If she can help Jinlan secretly hit her Wishful thinking, completely forgetting that every story of the county lord often contains the misfortune of another person or some other people at the same time.
The queen mother and the sage have to worry about the county master's marriage again. Wang Fang walked away while chatting with Jin Lan.
There are so many young masters in the royal court, how can they always find a good gentleman?Jin Lan smiled lightly, she was a little absent-minded about these things.
Wang Fang glanced at Jinlan in surprise, and said with a half-smile: If it doesn't suit the county lord's wishes, it won't work, but she knows a little bit about Roujia's wishes for Shi Yue.
Does the county magistrate have a sweetheart?Whose son is it?Jin Lan immediately heard the overtones.
I don't know, I want to know, you can ask the county magistrate yourself.Wang Fang said with a smile, tomorrow we will go to Jingyuan Manor together, don't blame me for taking over, I have already prepared your presents for you.
Jin Lan hurriedly thanked them, and the two of them chatted about some domestic gossip, and after a while, they arrived at the courtyard where Wang Fang lived.Because Jinlan was a regular customer, Wang Fang pretended to be a female celebrity and ordered all the servants out.Jin Lan saw that she was putting on airs, stitching stitches here and there on one embroidery screen, she couldn't help but asked with a smile: What is my cousin embroidering?
Seeing her teasing, Wang Fang smiled and threw the embroidered screen on the couch, but he was not to be outdone, and said sternly: "I embroidered a picture of catching ghosts, which has the magical effect of town house to ward off evil spirits."
Hearing what she said seriously, Jin Lan couldn't help walking over in half-belief, picked up the embroidery screen, and saw that on the small embroidery screen, there was a line to the east, a line to the west, a red line, a black line, and a green line. When they were pieced together, they vaguely looked like a pattern, but no matter how careful she was, she still couldn't understand what Wang Fang was embroidering.She looked around quietly for a long while, but she couldn't figure it out. Suddenly, she saw a colored picture pressed on the small table next to her. When she glanced at it, it was a picture of flying with wings. She turned her head and glanced at the embroidered picture in her hand again. Suddenly, he let out a loud laugh, pointed at the pattern with one finger, and pointed at the embroidery screen with the other, leaning forward and backward with laughter, almost dying of breath.The maidservants and women outside didn't know what was going on, so they all sneaked up to take a peek, and when they saw the embroidered screen in Jin Lan's hand, they all held their mouths and snickered.
Wang Fang blushed from her smile, walked over quickly in shame, snatched him away, hid behind him, and spat: You are not a good person either.Thank you for helping you!
But Jin Lan felt more and more funny as she thought about it, she held her belly, pointed at the drawing paper, and said with a smile: This is the drawing that Princess Qingqinghe drew.
She had heard from the Wen family that her cousin, Wang Fang, was born in a famous family, the daughter of a prime minister, who is proficient in all kinds of piano, chess, calligraphy, painting, poetry, poetry, and Fu. It's easy to get, and she can be regarded as a strange woman.However, she is not good at female red culinary skills, holding a needle is actually a bit harder than others holding a big gun, and the food she makes is a bit worse than poison.After marrying into the Sang Mansion, although it was nothing at first, but after a long time, although the mother-in-law is very easy to get along with, the big family doesn't point at these things, and they don't say anything, but the Sang family has many relatives and friends, and it is inevitable for others to listen to her. gossip.But this Mrs. Sang is the most competitive by nature, how can she bear other people's gossip?So he vowed to learn from female celebrities, and especially asked Princess Qinghe to draw a model several times. When Wen came back after seeing her, he laughed so hard that he couldn't speak.She still refused to believe it at the time, and always felt that everyone has hands, which may not be as exaggerated as Wen said, and Wang Fang's knowledge and talent, which she has always admired, how can such a mere female celebrity be rare? This is the first time for such a talented girl to see Wang Fang's female celebrity with her own eyes. She never imagined that a good picture of wing-to-wing flying together could be embroidered like a pot of overcooked noodles.I'm afraid that if Zhang Fei is called, he will embroider more decently than her.
For a few days, she was worried and anxious between her brows, although she forced a smile, she could only work harder.Unexpectedly, at Wang Fang's place, he vented all the anxiety, anger, and worry that had been pent up in his heart for the past few days.
The female celebrity of the cousin sister-in-law is really comparable to her uncle's calligraphy one by one. When Jin Lan said it casually, the more she thought about it, the more she felt the resemblance. Shi Yue's brush calligraphy, after more than ten years of practice, seems to be able to One horizontal and one vertical are written more like chopsticks than earthworms.She once saw Shi Yue secretly practicing the painting of red. Shi Yue, who had completely given up on his calligraphy, suddenly changed his past for the sake of his father's image. During the few years he was idle, he once practiced calligraphy for a while.It's just that the calligraphy of the dignified Bachelor Shi is definitely inferior to that of Xiao Shi Rui, who has practiced calligraphy for less than a year.Therefore, in the past two years, in order not to set a bad example and poison the next generation, Shi Yue, who had fully realized that no matter how hard he tried, would be useless, he gritted his teeth and invented a soft brush, and never used a brush again.What makes people feel funny is that Shi Yue also hid his ears and stole the bell in the name of improving efficiency, forcing all the officials who edited the edict under him to use the soft pen that was extremely awkward to use. Among them, I found people whose calligraphy was worse than myself.However, this time only lasted less than half a year. After half a year, when the officials got used to his tyranny, Shi Yue was still hopelessly the worst calligraphy among the scholars of the Song Dynasty.His pride in front of Xiao Shirui also pitifully only lasted for half a year.
Wang Fang's ears turned red from her laughter.She also knew that her female celebrity was a bit shameful, so she took out the embroidered screen hidden behind her and looked at it again, and said with a smile: laugh, laugh!Forget about laughing at you, a Koryo maidservant.Seeing that Jin Lan was almost smiling, she pretended to be angry again, and said with a straight face: Do you want to talk about serious things?Do you still care about your Kang Lang?If I don't care, I have to worry about it.
As soon as Jin Lan heard about Tang Kang, she immediately stopped laughing and said anxiously: Sister-in-law doesn't know, I'm really anxious to death.So far, no one has returned to Beijing.
Wang Fang looked at Jinlan and sneered: You were just laughing at me, you are also an idiot.What's the use of guarding the intersection?It is not as useful as managing various yamen.The officials of your family returned to Beijing last night, the emperor personally gave command, and the cousin was imprisoned in Yushitai.There were also two military officers who committed the crime together, and they were sent directly to the Privy Prison without even touching the Weiwei Temple.
ah?When Jin Lan heard the news, her face turned pale immediately, and she said with a wry smile: I don't even know that Shifu believes in the emperor's holy will?
Why didn't Shi Ziming know?Wang Fang snorted softly, and said: Conspiracies and tricks are his forte, but in my opinion, he is probably planning big things!
event?Jin Lan was stunned.
Wang Fang looked at Jinlan, sighed suddenly, and said: "Among the women I know, you are the only one who can understand these things."But it's a pity that you are a woman, otherwise that Pu Yancheng would not be as good as you.The Pu Yancheng she was talking about was the first batch of Korean envoys sent to the Song Dynasty, that is, foreign students, a tribute student of Baishuitan College, Xining took the fifth place in the provincial examination in the fifteenth year, and the third place in the palace examination. Tanhua.The emperor specially appointed the secretary to supervise the school, and it was a moment of glory.Even Su Zizhan is full of praise for this gentleman's poems, songs, prose, and articles.
However, Jin Lan didn't like this person very much.The Goryeo envoy once went to lobby this young man who was proud of the Goryeo students, and asked him to return to the country as an official, but after the lobbyist went, he didn't even have a chance to speak, so he blocked him back. Incredible.This time the Queen of Korea and the prince came to Bianjing, and the Korean embassy hosted a banquet for all the Korean students, but he was the only one absent.Jin Lan also knew that Pu Yancheng was not without difficulties. His father and brother King Shun were killed in this battle for the throne.But what Jin Lan couldn't understand was that since he couldn't forgive his own motherland, why could he easily forgive the Song Dynasty, which also participated in the domestic power struggle in Korea, and he still regarded himself as a Song person without shame?Among the Korean students studying abroad, there are not a few people who are in the same situation, and the first batch of envoys to the Song Dynasty accounted for less than half. But so far, except for him, all the first batch of foreign students have returned to Korea. A person who passed Jinshi in the Song Dynasty.
It's just that it's inconvenient for Jin Lan to reveal these inside information, but she just said lightly: I don't dare to compare, and I don't want to be like this.It is already a blessing to be able to have a husband and a child in this life, and to live in peace.What she said was half true and half false, Wen Shi already had a son and a daughter for Tang Kang, but she gave nothing, how could she remain indifferent?But the rift between husband and wife has already arisen, and is it so easy to bridge it?This time when Tang Kang was in trouble, she was very anxious and couldn't sit still. She just thought that if Tang Kang was safe, she would replace her with her body without hesitation.A calm and rational woman like her naturally has insight into her own feelings.However, on the other hand, her own country is still involved. Although my family sometimes naively thinks that King Xuan has fulfilled his wish and ascended the throne, so I can also be relieved.However, she knew that was impossible after all.She's already in too deep.To her, it is an extremely extravagant thing for her to take care of her husband, teach her children, and live a peaceful life.She can't even have the jealousy of a woman. If she didn't feel ashamed in her heart, how could she be willing to share the person she loves with another woman?
Are you not safe and rich enough now?But Wang Fang couldn't understand her mood, and said with a smile: After my cousin passes this test, I think he will be able to settle down in Bianjing for a few years.When your husband and wife get together and have a few children, you can take care of your husband and raise your children well.
I hope he can survive this disaster safely.Jin Lan sighed quietly.
He'll be fine.Wang Fang smiled resolutely, after listening to my explanation, you will understand that this time is destined to be a near miss.
Jin Lan knew her foresight, but Tang Kang's misfortune this time was extraordinary, because he just looked at Wang Fang with suspicion, pursed his lips, and waited for her to explain.
Wang Fang pondered for a while, looked at Jinlan, and talked about it: I once carefully looked at the changes in the personnel and affairs of the two prefectures since the founding of the state, and found an interesting thing.The prime ministers and rulers came and went between the two governments, ups and downs. When they entered, they became prime ministers, and when they retreated, they lived in a large county and guarded one side.But have you ever paid attention to the term of office of the prime ministers?Wang Fang smiled, paused for a while, and said like a few treasures: Zhao Pu, the king of Zhao Han, was the deputy envoy of the Privy Council in the first year of Jianlong, and moved to the Privy Council envoy in the second year of Qiande. Dismissing the prime minister is full of calculations, that is, twelve years. If it starts from the second year of Qiande, it will only be a little more than nine years, during which he will be alone for eight years, and then he will be dismissed.It was not until seven years later that he served as prime minister for another three years, and then he was dismissed. After four years, he entered Zhongshu and served as prime minister for less than three years.At the beginning of the founding of the country, the longest serving prime minister was this elder.The rest are done for three years and replaced by three years.The one who did the longest work in the Zhenzong Dynasty was Wang Weigong Wangdan Wang Ziming, who had the same character as Shi Ziming. He served as prime minister for twelve years, and it would be longer if he was in power, but he was only prime minister for five years. .Afterwards, only Han Qi and Zeng Gongliang were able to be prime ministers for ten consecutive years, but these two have never been alone. Han Qi and Fu Bi have been together for two years, and Zeng Gongliang for eight years , As for Zeng Gongliang, the first and second years of Xining, they were just backup staff.When Wang Fang mentioned Han Qi and Zeng Gongliang, there was no respect in her words. After she finished speaking, she paused, and said with a sarcasm: "Dare to ask Lu Jifu what he can do, since Han Jiang was dismissed in the eighth year of Xining , How could he be alone for nine years?
It is the law of the ancestors not to let the prime minister stay in power for too long to prevent the formation of cliques and selfishness.After the emperor ascended the throne, he no longer allowed Han Qi to be his minister. Is it really because he is the so-called old party?What kind of party is Zeng Gongliang?Wang Fang's eyes were flowing, and he seemed a little excited. Han Qi was a thousand-year-old fox.That's why the Han family has been favored by the emperor, and it has never ceased to this day.He and Shi Ziming really deserve to be Weng's son-in-law. Shi Yue's methods in recent years have been similar to his.He closed the door and saw no guests, did not give lectures, did not write books, and either dismissed his diners or recommended officials, leaving only one Pan Zhaolin, and he just spent the whole day traveling around Bianjing, teaching Buddhism and talking about scriptures.But he never dared to buy farms or raise prostitutes, and even sent some secret performances to the emperor every now and then to show that he had no complaints.I really don't know where he learned these skills. The so-called abnormality is a monster. He wants to imitate others. I am afraid that painting tigers will not be anti-dogs. The emperor is the Lord of England
Jinlan knows that Wang Fang must be cynical when talking about Shi Yue, but she is Shi Yue's sister-in-law, and her status is embarrassing, so she blushes and yells: Cousin sister-in-law
Only then did Wang Fang realize it, he grinned, and said: Closer to home.You tell me why Lu Jifu was able to be alone for nine years?If there is no one in the court, can Feng Jing and Sima Guang be prime ministers?If it is said that he has made great achievements and worked hard, is he comparable to King Zhao Han?His credit is not as good as Zhao Pu's, his demeanor is not as good as Wang Dan's, and he is not as good as Han Qi, but the position of prime minister is more secure than anyone else. Isn't it strange?
This Jinlan only realized a little bit.
In fact, if we talk about strange things, it is not surprising at all.He was able to be alone for nine years, but it was because the emperor couldn't spare a hand.How much has the court experienced in the past nine years?The reform of the official system, the abolition of prefectures and counties, the reorganization of armaments, and the conquests from east to west are really countless.The court has finally reached a delicate balance. As long as there are no major mistakes, at this moment, the emperor must be more concerned than less. There is a war outside, how can he withstand the turmoil in the court inside?According to the palace, the Empress Dowager told the emperor several times that Sima Guang should not be under Lu Huiqing, and the emperor also said that Sima Guang could shoot for the left and right servants, but Sima Guang remained motionless in the position of Minister of the Ministry of Household Affairs. Under the two ministers of officials and soldiers!Could it be that Sima Guang should not be the Minister of the Ministry of Officials?In my opinion, the emperor was afraid that if Sima Guang moved his position, whether it was the Minister of the Ministry of Officials or the right servant, with the power of personnel in his hands, the situation in the court would no longer be stable.The emperor is an extremely wise monarch. In the tenth year of Xining, in the name of handing in banknotes, he promoted Lu Huiqing to Zuo Servant and took away his right to be the only one in charge of the house. The political affairs hall meeting decided, and the official department handed over to the more moderate Feng Jing, and the so-called stone party reconciled from it, so that the new party and the old party could barely live in peace.Otherwise, no matter which party controls the power of personnel affairs, if it is said that they do not fight to the death, I absolutely do not believe it.
It's just that such days are not long.Wang Fang said rather gloatingly.
Does the sister-in-law mean that the court situation is going to change drastically?Jin Lan asked tentatively.
A minister of the Ministry of officials has been in office for ten years. If he does not form a party, he forms a party.Wang Fang seems to be a little worried that the world will not be chaotic, and the structure of the two governments has been maintained for nearly ten years.The old is old, the dead is dead, and it is about to change.The Privy Council, the Ministry of Officials, the Ministry of War, the Ministry of Industry, the Ministry of Punishment, and even the Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of Households, as well as important yamen such as Weiwei Temple, Taifu Temple, and Dali Temple, all have to change owners in the past few years, otherwise the emperor Can't feel at ease.There is no doubt about it.It's just that Lu Huiqing may still be the prime minister for a few years in peace, and the emperor can wait for the situation in the southwest to stabilize before taking it easy.But Wang Fang involuntarily leaned forward, looked at Jin Lan, suppressed his voice, and said: Do you know that a big storm is coming, the emperor has to replace people in advance, and Lu Huiqing's position is now in jeopardy Tired eggs!
For some people, this big storm was a catastrophe, but for my cousin, it was God's blessing.
But Jin Lan was completely overwhelmed by Wang Fang's keen insight, but she still couldn't believe that the seemingly thriving Song Dynasty would face a big storm.You know, just three years ago, this empire had almost wiped out a powerful country in the northwest that was far above Goryeo!In the war with the Song Dynasty, the Xixia people lost most of their population, almost all of the most fertile land, and even the tombs of their ancestors!But the Song Dynasty got it. In Jinlan's view, what the Song Dynasty got was far more than a simple Xixia.They got a Shaanxi road, and Guanzhong has changed from a frontier to a hinterland!They will also get hundreds of thousands of cavalry to occupy Lingxia, and the Song people will have a natural horse farm. In time, they will be able to compete with Khitan cavalry on horseback.As a Korean, at most a Kaifeng native, Jin Lan naturally ignored the so-called Southwestern Yi in the southwest of the Song Dynasty.Like the Song people around her, she despises the Southwest Yi from the bottom of her heart, thinking that it is insignificant. Although the Song army has suffered successive defeats and suffered heavy losses, she, like most Song people, believes that it is because the Song army did not send the main forbidden army to attack !After all, in order to cope with the war with Xixia, the Song Dynasty greatly accelerated the pace of their reorganization of the Forbidden Army. The unreorganized Forbidden Army of the Great Song Dynasty, some of the Hebei Forbidden Army, and all the Southeast Forbidden Army were far inferior to the elite main Forbidden Army. .The Western Army needs to rest after the battle. After the soldiers have experienced such a battle, they will have all kinds of war-weary emotions, and the Northwest Fortress still needs to be heavily garrisoned.It is even more impossible for the elite forbidden troops in Hebei and Gyeonggi to go to the southwest to fight some Southwestern barbarians. The Song people never dared to relax their vigilance against the Liao people.More importantly, the Southwestern Yi will always be the Southwestern Yi. That distant and insignificant war seems to have nothing to do with ordinary people.A small setback in the military is not recognized as a failure, but it is just because of underestimating the enemy. For Da Song, it is impossible to hurt his muscles and bones.Jin Lan, like most people, believed that this time Zhong Er led the army of hundreds of battles into Shu, and the suppression of the southwest rebellion was just around the corner.Even after she knew that there was a mutiny in the Second Xiongwu Army, she still believed that because most of Song's people thought that the Forbidden Army specifically referred to the Western Army and the Mabu Army under the jurisdiction of the Dianqian Division.The rebellion of the Imperial Army in Hebei was put down so quickly, didn't it prove how good the Western Army is in fighting?What's more, the Song Army also had such powerful weapons as cannons that impressed everyone.Be it the Goryeo Kingdom or the Liao Kingdom, in order to obtain the manufacturing method of artillery, various methods have been tried.他們將本國最好的工匠混入使者的隨從中，到達汴京後，利用一切機會觀察汴京城牆上的火炮雖然絕大部分時候只能遠觀，汴京城牆是不可能隨意登上去的；同時賄賂官員，利用留學生結交優秀的工匠，親近與兵器研究院的有關的老師、同學高麗與遼國先後都試製出了自己的火炮，樣式與他們在宋朝觀察到的也似乎區別不大，然而威力卻是始終不及在金蘭看來，宋軍運幾尊火炮去，幾炮便可以將西南夷的城牆轟塌她當然不知道西南夷其實沒有城牆，甚至連當地許多隸屬宋朝的州縣都沒有城牆。儘管在汴京居住了許久，但她畢竟從未離開過開封府的區域，所以，在金蘭的心裡，宋朝的每個地方，都是如從杭州至汴京沿途所看到的城市一樣，有著密密麻麻的人群，高大的城牆，整齊美觀的建築、街道，還有令人嘆為觀止的下水道系統。她只聽說過成都府的富裕，卻完全不知道大宋西南邊境的情況在那裡，即便是許多宋朝的州治與縣治，往往也只是用籬笆簡單地圍成一圈，全城只有規模甚至不如開封府一個小鎮的集市，最好的房子是官衙，卻不及汴京城內最差的房子，有些小州，甚至全州不過幾百戶的人口，只要出了州城，四面環視，都是一眼望不到邊的群山！所以，許多瞭解情況的宋朝官員寧肯被罷官為民，也不願意離開汴京。但唐康的家信中從來不會提及這些困難，所以，她也無法理解，唐康在戎州能夠修築起城牆，是一件多麼了不起的政績！
而除了西南夷以外，金蘭更不知道王昉所說的大風暴指的是什麼了。
王昉彷彿知道金蘭心裡在想什麼，她望著金蘭，嘆道︰公卿士大夫，除了石子明外，都太小看了西南夷金蘭怔怔望著王昉，聽她繼續說道︰本來這些事情我也不會知道妳應當聽說過，自朝廷大舉伐夏起，石越便上表乞求新聞管制，朝廷遣人進駐各報，凡與戰爭有關之報導，甚至於各地之米價、布價，不得許可都在禁止報導之列。西南戰事一起，呂吉甫便循例繼續此政。故此凡與戰事有關之報導，實是兩府說什麼，各報便寫什麼，三大報都不曾派人去過益州路，親眼看看那裡究竟是發生什麼
金蘭聽她語氣頗有不滿之意，不由替石越解釋道︰軍國大事，貴在機密。且這亦是有法例可循的
王昉輕輕哼了一下，卻沒有反駁，停了一下，又繼續說道︰但是到了去年，《秦報》的衛棠卻派了兩個人去了一趟益州路，而且是賄賂了禁軍軍官，隨軍深入西南夷之腹地。他們回來後，《秦報》雖然沒有任何報導，但是衛棠卻寫了封信給外子，並且是由其中一個記者親自送到汴京的。
ah?金蘭不禁低聲驚呼了一聲，她下意識地感覺到這裡面並不簡單。
這人來京，不過是一個月以前的事情。王昉淡淡說道，嘴角間卻若隱若現地流露出譏刺的笑容，衛棠是否另有深意，非外人所能知。但他們《秦報》不敢報導，卻想讓《汴京新聞》出頭，用心也未必那麼純良。只是他卻不知，呂吉甫的黨羽日夜不離地守著《汴京新聞》的每一處印書坊，就算外子不怕得罪權貴，亦無能為力。本來外子有意讓那人去面見司馬君實，但他卻怕給《秦報》惹上是非，趁我們不備，連夜跑回了陝西
那他說的話也未必可信
此人說的事，絕非捏造。王昉斷然否定了金蘭的猜疑，據其所言，西南局勢實是到了駭人聽聞之地步。他說曾經親身跟隨禁軍平亂，西南夷雖然各寨多有恩怨，不得合縱，未成大患，但叛亂之種落，大者數十，小者上百，聲勢驚人。夷兵在群山之間來去自如，官兵勝則不能追，敗則不能退，極為被動。若有軍官食古不化不知變通者，禁軍精良之鎧甲更是反成累贅。故官軍每戰每敗，士氣低落。許多官兵水土不服，軍中疾病蔓延，而醫、藥皆不足，亦使戰力銳減。除此之外，糧草補給更為大患，往往有糧也運不上前線不僅是群山之中轉運艱難，西南夷剽掠糧道，民夫逃亡不斷，便是在益州腹地，若無官兵護送，便有盜賊搶糧，甚至有運糧之民夫與盜賊裡應外合者更有一將無能累死三軍者，或此州屯集軍糧任其腐爛，而彼州卻庫無顆穀，將士只得忍饑挨餓。而另一面，卻是官府拼命和買強徵糧草，百姓民不聊生，盜賊蜂起
這些事情，絕非衛棠所能捏造的，他也不敢捏造！我聽到流言，益州路的米價，數月之內，已翻了兩到三倍。我又留意打聽了附近諸路之糧價，陝西、京西，乃至河東、河北，糧價都居高不下。甚至在汴京，物價亦漲了不少
這可能是交鈔發行過多所致。金蘭倒也不是一無所知，但對於她這樣的身分而言，汴京物價實在不是她需要關心的事情。
的確是交鈔發行過多。但交鈔為何會發行過多？若非是西南夷果真惹出了大麻煩，僅僅是在西北之駐軍，斷不至於到此地步。王昉搖了搖頭，道︰汴京萬物騰貴，已非一日。朝廷為了軍國用度，無本發行交鈔。一面是朝廷用交鈔向百姓和買貨物，一面卻是物價上漲，百姓拿著同樣多的交鈔買不到同樣的貨物，實是怨聲載道。交鈔是呂吉甫倡行，交鈔局又是呂氏兄弟司掌本來益州局勢如何，益州百姓過得怎麼樣，汴京百姓與士林既不知道，也未必關心，但是如今連汴京也物價騰貴，卻是有切膚之痛了。只是汴京之物價雖高，卻尚可忍受，雖有不滿之言，畢竟也不能把福建子怎樣。這怨氣也只得日復一日地積累著。可而今西南之局勢，卻是到了這般地步西南夷之叛亂，也是呂惠卿引起的！堂堂大宋的禁軍，為了不願去西南，居然不惜兵變！你說呂惠卿而今是不是如同坐在火上烤？要說石越與司馬光無動於衷，我是斷斷不信的！
金蘭徹底動搖了，西南夷真的那麼厲害麼？她在心裡暗暗問道。也許，宋朝這個帝國，遠比她想像地要脆弱也說不定。不過，如若果真如王昉所分析的，那麼朝局的確是要大變了，這對於唐康來說，至少不會是一件壞事。
從王昉那裡知道了許多內情，又打聽到了唐康的下落，金蘭回府後終於安安穩穩地睡了一夜好覺。次日一覺醒來，王昉的香車已到了她家門口。聽到下人的稟報，她才記起還要與王昉一起去靜淵莊拜訪柔嘉，慌慌忙忙起來，一面令人去招待王昉，一面急急梳洗了，淡淡化了點妝，卻見管家一臉的猶豫，在門外徘徊。她皺了皺眉，走到門口，問道︰有什麼事麼？
lady.管家見著金蘭，連忙作了揖，稟道︰方才賬房來說，這個月的家用他話未說完，便已覷見金蘭的臉沉了下來，嚇得不敢再說話。他自是知道，府上遇上這般大事，的確不該用些芝麻豆皮的小事來煩夫人，但是天塌下來，這唐府上上下下近百口人，這麼大一家子，卻不可能就此不吃飯不用錢了，而文夫人又是不管事的，只能硬著頭皮向金蘭請示。
家用不夠用了麼？金蘭冷冰冰地問道，不是月月如此的麼？
原是這樣的管家苦著臉，道︰前幾個月，錢莊的唐守義過來，說有樁大生意，要周轉點銅錢，他用交鈔兌銅錢，把府裡積存的八千多貫銅錢全部換走了。這事原是稟過大夫人的
金蘭掃了他一眼，冷不丁問道︰唐守義沒錢到這個地步了麼？要到咱們府上來換錢？
管家嚅嚅道︰小的當時也不知道。不過後來聽說陝西那邊一貫緡錢可以換到一千一百六十文交鈔，汴京的錢莊，都在想辦法調銅錢去陝西收交鈔
你當時不知道？金蘭哼了一聲，卻沒有再追究，她心裡早被這個消息震驚了。她雖然不懂食貨之學，但是交鈔兌銅，是一比一的，雖然實際上會有千分之幾的手續費，但也微不足道，但是陝西路居然出現一貫銅錢換到一千一百多文交鈔，聯繫到昨晚王昉所說的事情，她再遲鈍，也知道陝西錢法，已經出現了大問題。
你不是特地來告訴我幾個月前的事吧？
那管家當時的的確確是每貫銅錢收了二十文的好處，他心裡雖然知道這個高麗夫人精明，卻也斷不敢承認，只是彎著腰回道︰小的糊塗，當時沒有想到，這一兩個月間，到處都聽說陝西的事了，這個月汴京要一千五十文交鈔，才能換到一貫銅錢，而且好像還在漲到外面買東西，鈔一個價，錢一個價。府裡收來的田租，除了糧食外，客戶都是用交鈔交的租，可是家裡的下人，若還是按原來用交鈔發月錢，許多人家便要過不去了。而今不論什麼東西，比去年都漲了兩三成，這交鈔、銅錢上再這麼來一下
你一次把話說完。金蘭早不耐煩了。
下人們是想月錢改發銅錢，可府裡的交鈔若去錢莊兌銅錢，損失極大。小的不敢擅作主張，要請夫人給個主意。
下人改發緡錢無妨，每人再漲一成的月錢。你去告訴唐守義，我把這宅子抵給他錢莊，看能換幾貫銅錢來？你拿著交鈔去錢莊，當日你是多少錢兌的，照樣給我兌回來。他還真長進了，生意做到自己家裡來了！金蘭拋下這句話，再不理會管家，帶著幾個丫頭揚長而去。
但金蘭與王昉去靜淵莊卻撲了個空，柔嘉與清河一大早便都被太后召進宮了。金蘭本想與王昉一道在靜淵莊等柔嘉回來，但是她沒等上多久，便有家人領著石府的人過來，說是石夫人請她過府，金蘭不敢怠慢，連忙又託了王昉代她向柔嘉與清河賠罪，又轉道去石府。這麼著來去折騰，到石府時已是隅中時分。她才到了門上，便見阿旺已在那裡等候。她知道阿旺在石府雖然只是個婢女，但是地位卻是極高。石府是大宋少有的幾家對待下人極為平等的簪纓之家，以金蘭的所見所聞來說，就算是上下極為和洽的司馬光家，也不及石府。以阿旺的身分，原本她最好的結局不過是年輕貌美時能取悅王公貴族求得一時之芳名，到了年老色衰之時，最幸運也不過是能嫁給某個商人為妾而已。但在石府，金蘭聽說石夫人甚至允許她自己擇婿！只是不知為何，阿旺似乎一直沒有找到她的意中人，倒是將極大的熱情投入到了怡園石越為了教育自己的女兒，不惜重金在汴京城南買了一座名為怡園的小莊園做學校；梓兒又用自己的關係說服了許多名門閨秀，甚至還請到了被遣散的老宮女到怡園任教，教授女紅、禮儀、琴棋書畫甚至是算術、格物等等科目，吸引了十餘家朝廷大臣將自家的寶貝女兒送到那裡學習，連當今官家最寵愛的淑壽公主也常到怡園學習。阿旺便在怡園教習彈箏與夷語。阿旺一見到金蘭，便襝衽說道︰夫人說，相公在會客，請縣君先到夫人那裡稍候。因石越做過樞密副使，所以也有人以相公相稱。金蘭不敢托大，回了半禮，才跟著阿旺向後院走去，一面試探問道︰不知嫂子召我來，有何要緊事？阿旺一邊側著身子在前面引路，一面回道︰實是相公要見縣君，應當是為了二公子的事。不過早上有位姓秦的大人與姓范的大人來求見相公，相公和他們談了幾個時辰了阿旺的語氣中，實是透著驚訝。需知石越雖然這一年來漸漸開始會客，但卻是很少留人長談的。
阿旺口中所說的姓秦的大人與姓范的大人，就是秦觀與范翔。范翔這十餘年來平平穩穩按步升遷，好不容易才爬到從七品，在許多同僚眼裡，這都已經算是仕途亨通了。但對於范翔來說，眼見著司馬夢求如今已經是緋銀魚袋、從五品上的樞密院副都承旨；坐在他旁邊的秦觀，更是志得意滿，如日中天，其他故交舊友們也一個個建功立業、青雲直上，他卻始終脫不掉那身綠袍，范翔不能不在心裡暗暗眼熱。然而未得機緣，卻也只有老老實實待在地方上。不過如今機會終於來了，一個月前，得石越舉薦，范翔被調任尚書省右司任刑房都事。雖然這只是個從七品上的小官，但是意義卻非同尋常這已是直接進入大宋王朝的權力中樞。所謂士為知己者死，范翔心裡的激動，非用言語可以形容。
此時，在石府的客廳內，石越一面品著茶，一面聽顯得有點興奮的范翔說著他在河東路當知縣時聽到的佚聞。張潮張敬之最有急智，又好管閒事。有一年，他行經遼州，遇一道士長吁短嘆，愁容不展，因問他原由。原來那道士無錢買不起度牒（注：佛教術語，指古代中國為了管理僧道，允許他們出家所頒發的證明文書。），故而發愁。張敬之因笑道自己能替他向太守說情，當即書信一封，讓道士次日去見持信去見太守。那道士雖將信將疑，卻是死馬當成活馬醫，竟真拿了他的信去見太守。那遼州知州見了道士拿著信來，心裡也自納悶，不知道什麼時候認識個衛輝張敬之，當即拆了書信，卻見那信裡面，無頭無尾，只寫了一首七言詩。范翔說到此處，卻停了下來，故意頓了一頓，秦觀正聽得入神，忙問道︰那詩是怎麼寫的？
范翔望了秦觀一眼，輕輕啜了口茶，緩緩念道︰鼠為拖腸離洞府，魚因點額退江湖。侍郎本是神仙客，還有靈丹救也無？
秦觀聽到這打油詩，不覺想笑，但細思詩中之意，卻只覺得淒愴之情，撲面而來，竟是呆住了，半晌方嘆道︰這道士也可憐。
范翔笑道︰遼州知州便也如少游一樣，動了惻隱之心，竟果真給了道士度牒。不過也因此一事，這太守便也記住了張敬之。一年多後，因陝西錢貴鈔賤，各地都有商人運銅錢進陝西買交鈔牟利，連累得各地錢鈔比都混亂，物價亂得一塌糊塗。河東與陝西接界，頗受波及，幾個州的太守們便商議了，劃地為界，下令禁止銅錢入陝。張敬之這回卻是自己犯了禁令，在絳州被搜出夾帶銅錢八百文進陝，被官差抓了去見知州你道這知州是誰？原來卻正是一年前的遼州知州，剛剛調任絳州。那太守聽說犯錢禁的人便是張潮，也不審他，只令他七步之內，作詩一首替自己辯護，若作得出來，便恕他無罪，作不出來，非但銅錢入官，還要打他三十大板。
這回連石越都聽得動容了，畢竟張潮是白水潭十三子之一，與石越頗有香火之情。他再怎麼樣聰明，又非有曹子建這才，怎能真的七步賦詩？他不由直起身子，問道︰他可曾作得出來？
范翔笑道︰這張子敬倒不愧是個才子，只用了五步，便已得詩一首。說罷朗聲念道︰腰纏十萬上揚州，八百青銅何足搜。天下河山皆屬宋，豈容此地割鴻溝？
秦觀聽得一愣，不由得擊掌大笑，嘖嘖讚嘆不已︰好一句天下河山皆屬宋，豈容此地割鴻溝！好張子敬！好個張子敬！
石越低聲復念了一遍，也不由莞爾，笑道︰這張潮倒是個刻薄人。
范翔笑道︰不過張子敬罵的其實是有理的。那幾位太守，實是糊塗，他們以為以鄰為壑，就可以保得自己治下平安，卻不知這樣做無異於火上加油。
oh?石越不由詫異地望了范翔一眼，全沒料到他竟有這般見識。由陝西路為爆發點而引發的鈔錢混亂，也是短短幾個月內突然失去控制的。石越當時非常驚詫，因為呂惠卿雖然為了軍國用度，濫發交鈔，但這與大錢、折二錢還是有區別的，因為交鈔盯緊銅錢，並且具備了完全的法償能力，呂惠卿在這一點上，表現出了他幾乎是超越這個時代的才智他寧可忍受濫發交鈔帶來的財政性通貨膨脹，也始終堅定著保護交鈔的政府信用，民眾可以自由地用交鈔交稅。對於這一點，石越暗暗佩服不已他當然不知道這是遠在金陵的王安石給呂惠卿的建議，退出政壇後又遭喪子之痛，王安石雖僻居於石頭城畔，但對於大宋朝的一舉一動，卻也從來未曾忘懷，他地位轉換之後，很多事情反倒看更加清楚了所以，原本石越認為鈔銅的比率是不會出大問題的，小小的波動不可避免，但應當在可以控制範圍內。但是，人算不如天算，陝西路轉運使范純粹，這個在才能與品德上都無可挑剔的傳統士大夫，卻在無意中引爆了手中的震天雷。
學生曾經考察過陝西路鈔賤錢貴的原因。范翔偷眼看著石越的神色，既得意於自己的見識，又有擔心班門弄斧，略顯謹慎地說道︰學生以為陝西的局面，實是范公舉措失當造成的。因為馬價下跌，范公為了讓轉運更加便捷，預備籌措十萬貫緡錢與二萬擔茶葉，向銀夏牧馬買一千匹馬這原本無可厚非，使牧民得市易之利，亦有助於河西之鞏固。但是陝西府庫卻沒有這麼多緡錢，而河西之民，還不肯信任交鈔，無法用交鈔交易。所以范公就出了個昏招他下令陝西商稅只收錢，不收鈔！范公一向主張重農輕商，他以為如此既不會傷農，那些商販反正獲利容易，便不在顧慮之內。但是范公卻沒有想到，他此令一下，無吝向陝西宣告︰朝廷認為交鈔不值錢！商人成驚弓之鳥，擔心這只是朝廷的第一步，接下來就可能拒收交鈔，任由交鈔變成廢紙。畢竟人人都能看見朝廷的錢鈔越發越多，物價越來越貴，陝西原本又是極嚴重的地區。於是商人買賣時開始排斥交鈔，農夫又如何能獨善其身？結果便是今日這個局面奸商買賣鈔錢牟取供利，謠言慢慢傳遍國內，百姓無知，只看到交鈔越來越多，物價越來越高，朝廷還在議論什麼五五徵稅，這都是在推波助瀾。各地鈔錢比跟著大變，物價隨之混亂可笑的是，京師地方，公卿士大夫都不知道究竟發生了何事，河東路以為這些事情是奸商運錢進鈔買鈔引起的，竟然禁止銅錢入陝，結果反倒是讓百姓更加深信不疑了！他們以為是以鄰為壑，卻不知是在火上澆油！
他們不是在火上澆油，而是在釜底添薪。秦觀笑嘻嘻說道，你要說陝西的商稅收銅錢竟然讓汴京物價混亂交鈔大賤，我勸仲麟還是三緘其口的好。這些事連我聽了，都有些暈暈乎乎，莫名其妙，別人聽了，只怕要以為足下非瘋即癡。而今有人在火上烤，有人在釜底添柴，你管他是有意還是無意？不要引火燒身，才是正經。待他們烤焦了，柴燒光了，你還怕沒有賢人來滅火麼？
范翔聽秦觀嘻嘻哈哈說著這些極為露骨的話，心中不由得一凜，暗悔自己不該賣弄聰明，他悄悄抬眼看石越，卻見石越臉上掛著一絲莫測高深的微笑，淡淡說道︰若是將鍋子燒穿了，大夥最後都要餓肚子。不過而今朝廷心腹之患，還是在益州。屋漏易逢連夜雨，有些隱患，太平無事時看不出來，定要碰上這麼一個當兒，才會一股腦地冒出來。乾脆一次全發作出來也好，不破則不立。薦仲麟為刑房都事，原是看仲麟在地方斷案頗明，好幾件大案，都辦得極出色，連皇上都誇讚過。不過現在看來，倒是我當初薦錯了，只怕你去戶房要更好些
范翔忙欠身道︰君子不器，學生願意在各處多磨礪些。
說得好，君子不器。石越笑道，便是這句話了。正說話間，卻見侍劍到了門口，稟道︰學士，太傅府來人請學士過府議事。
石越笑著點點頭，向范翔、秦觀笑道︰文相公相召，不敢久俟，當改日再敘。說罷點湯送客。
待范、秦二人告辭而去，石越略整了整衣冠，便吩咐備車馬，急急忙忙要去文府。卻聽侍劍在旁說道︰學士不是還有話要吩咐成安縣君麼？
Ouch!石越猛地一愣，他早已將金蘭的事忘了個乾淨，但文彥博是皇帝特旨允許在自家府裡議事的，他也不知道是否有公事諮詢，便算是私事，文彥博畢竟是現在朝中地位最尊的重臣，他也斷不敢怠慢，當下只得說道︰你便不要跟我去文府了，你去告訴夫人，讓她告訴金氏，二公子現在御史臺獄，皇上恩旨，准許家屬探望說到此處，他忽地皺起眉頭，放低了聲音，沉聲道︰再告訴金氏，康時也是我的兄弟，叫她不要失了分寸。特別是宮裡，千萬不可去求誰，否則她會害了康時的性命。
侍劍聽石越說得認真，凜然答應，送著石越上了馬車，便急忙回內宅去找梓兒與金蘭傳話。
石越沒有猜錯，文彥博急急忙忙召石越過府，的確是出了大事。他趕到文府的時候，赫然發現文府此時聚集了幾乎所有汴京最重要的官員。呂惠卿、司馬光、馮京等人都到了，他到了沒多久，緊跟著王珪、郭逵、章惇都先後前來，然後連剛剛回京敘職的李憲也來了。石越環視廳中，眼見文彥博、呂惠卿、司馬光表情凝重，一顆心竟是一點一點往下沉。這陣勢，絕對是出大事了，而且不會是什麼好事，難道石越猛地擔心