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

Chapter 212

It was midday and the sun was shining brightly.

A table full of food and wine had been prepared in the North City Bingmasi Hutong. Zhou Yuan picked up his wine glass and said with a smile: "My colleagues, although I have met with everyone since I took office, this is the first time we have gathered together. Let's drink a few more glasses today to celebrate."

There were exactly ten people sitting at the big table, all of whom were the commanders and governors of the Five City Bingmasi. Everyone was in a relatively happy mood, after all, they were getting paid.

The total cost of the Shenjing renovation was about 4.5 million taels of silver a year. In addition to the cost of the nine major gangs, there were still 3.5 million taels, but Zhou Yuan only had 3 million taels, and there were still 500,000 taels of feces money that had not been cashed.

But in any case, it was almost the New Year, and the Five City Bingmasi was crying for food. Zhou Yuan also began to fulfill his promise, and 50,000 taels of silver for each city had been prepared.

This was a windfall, and the amount was huge, which made the commanders of the other four cities very happy, and they drank a lot more happily.

"There are countless officials in the capital, big and small. Some are smart, some are stupid, some do practical work, and some know nothing."

"We are of low rank and have little influence, so we can't care about so many things. We just know that over the years, only Lord Zhou has helped us get money, and it's not a small amount."

The commander of the South City Military Department raised his wine glass and said loudly: "This 50,000 taels of silver is enough for our brothers in the department to have a good year, and it also stabilizes my position as the commander. Without saying more, Lord Zhou, we will obey you in the future. No matter what you say, we will never be disloyal."

"That's right! Lord Zhou, we have been doing this for so many years. We say what we like to say to people and what we don't like to say to ghosts, but we can't lie about money. You said you would give us 50,000 taels of silver. We admire you and will follow your lead in the future."

Everyone raised their glasses and drank it down.

Zhou Yuan smiled and said, "You are all elders. You say that you only follow my lead. Zhou Yuan doesn't deserve it."

"Our Bingma Division is under the Ministry of War, but the direct superior has no real power. The assistant minister of the Ministry of War often does not interfere in the affairs of the subordinates, and the Shangshu is busy."

"To put it nicely, we are relatively free and no one controls us."

"But to put it bluntly, it means that our parents don't love us, and no one will take charge when we are bullied."

Everyone felt the same when they heard this and nodded.

In recent years, the Wucheng Bingma Division has no dignity. All departments can come and step on it. There is little funding, and they are used to living in poverty. It was only when Zhou Yuan came that things got better.

Zhou Yuan said, "I just hope that our Wucheng Bingma Division will be united and not engage in internal strife. Dignity and status are something we have to earn."

Everyone agreed with him and was filled with emotion for a while.

In just three months, the Wucheng Bingma Division has indeed gained a lot of respect. The people would give a thumbs up when they mentioned it. The rectification of the capital has won them dignity.

Who doesn't like to be respected and praised? The major commanders also felt this change, so they were very grateful to Zhou Yuan.

"I won't say more."

Zhou Yuan raised his glass and said, "In the future, we will help each other, share what we have, and unite sincerely, so that those who look down on our Wucheng Bingma Division can take a good look!"

"Cheers!"

"Cheers! I won't go home until I'm drunk today!"

...

The meal lasted more than an hour. Zhou Yuan sent the guests away and felt relieved.

At present, the Wucheng Bingma Division has a total of 250,000 taels, the prince consort has 100,000 taels, and Wu Qingrong has given 200,000 taels.

Now there are still 2.45 million taels.

Zhou Yuan plans to keep 450,000 taels for himself in case of emergency.

The remaining 2 million taels... have other uses.

He took out the list he had prepared in advance and said in a deep voice: "Governor He, go and call the people on the list to me!"

He Xiangnian, who was outside the house, hurried in and nodded and said: "Okay, okay, you work hard day and night, thank you for your hard work."

Zhou Yuan smiled and said: "Governor He, you are sensible and know how to care about my health."

He Xiangnian's eyes lit up. He wanted to curry favor with Zhou Yuan, consolidate his position, and perhaps he could also follow this young and promising official and rise a few levels.

Knowing that he had flattered the right person this time, he hurriedly said: "After all, I have worked in the North City Military Department for more than ten years, but I have never seen such a dedicated officer as you!"

Zhou Yuan said: "Yes, how about this, you help me share some of the burden."

He Xiangnian was stunned. Is it a new trap? He was scared, so he asked cautiously: "Share, share what?"

Zhou Yuan smiled and said: "Go and call someone."

"Okay... okay!"

He ran away as if he was escaping for his life, but he still felt that Zhou Yuan was a thief who was not trustworthy and should be more careful in the future.

A total of eighty people, all gathered in the quartermaster building, including team leaders, team leaders, and clerks.A group of people were confused. They all belonged to different clerks. How could they be called together?

More importantly, it seemed that martial law was imposed all around, and everyone else was driven out.

Zhou Yuan looked at everyone and said in a deep voice: "I have been here for more than two months, and I have a comprehensive understanding of everyone. I think you eighty people are the best and the most outstanding."

"Outstanding lies in ability, excellence lies in wisdom, and you are loyal enough."

"So I have an extremely important task for you. Do you have the confidence to complete it?"

Everyone looked at each other and couldn't help but get excited. Knowing that the opportunity had come, they shouted: "Yes!"

Zhou Yuan said: "Don't say those empty words. I have always been pragmatic. As long as you complete the task successfully, each person will be rewarded with 100 taels of silver, and the official rank will be promoted by one level."

The eighty soldiers swallowed hard, their faces flushed, and they wanted to kneel on the ground and die for Zhou Yuan immediately.

Zhou Yuan said solemnly: "You eighty people, divided into two groups, each with forty people, must transport one million taels of silver to Jizhou and Shandong respectively."

"The operation must be secret, and you cannot tell anyone except this place, including your relatives and comrades."

"Otherwise, if the silver is lost, you will all lose your heads."

Everyone's expression became serious. One million taels of silver, this is to be loaded into more than a dozen large boxes.

If it is transported by carriage, four carriages are needed, and forty people are indeed enough.

Zhou Yuan said: "I will send you additional officers, you must strictly obey orders, otherwise it may not be a punishment, but a direct beheading."

After speaking, he clapped his hands lightly and said; "Yu Feng, come on."

Upstairs, Yu Feng came down with eight masters.

He said solemnly: "Sir, their martial arts are very good. If they are ordinary bandits, they can kill dozens or even hundreds."

Zhou Yuan nodded, looked at the sky outside, and then said: "It's dusk. You still have two hours to get familiar with the personnel and assign tasks."

"When the evening drum sounds, immediately move the silver onto the car and quietly leave the city."

"I have already thought of the name for you, and it is up to you to adapt to the situation."

Speaking of this, Zhou Yuan said: "Yu Feng, this is a serious matter, you should understand these four words."

Yu Feng's face became serious, and he said loudly: "Sir, don't worry, there are a total of 89 people. The heads have been tied to the silver. As long as the people are there, the silver is there!"

"Okay! Remember to bring back the receipt and handwriting!"

After speaking, Zhou Yuan strode out of the office building.

Now the silver is gone, I really don't know how to explain to the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue!