Chapter 22: The Moment of Crisis (3)

  With the letter and gift list written by Zhou Wenbo for Empress Liu in his arms, Zhou Dexiu hastily returned home.

  Although he didn't have much ability, he wasn't stupid either. He naturally knew that the plan proposed by Zhou Wenbo had a very high success rate. If the Zhao Guo Gong Fu could get through this storm, then he would be able to continue his usual activities, such as visiting brothels and enjoying himself. Therefore, he was very attentive to this matter. Upon returning to the mansion, Zhou De Xiu ordered his servants to summon his aide, Qin Shou.

  Qin Shou was a staff member he recruited two years ago after entering the capital, who is usually clever and has many plans, has extensive connections, and many things in the government are handed over to him to handle.

  Qin Shou had been waiting for several days, and was getting a bit impatient. Zhou Dexiu had been going to the Zhao State Duke's mansion every day, but hadn't gotten any leads or results. However, as soon as Master returned today, he summoned Qin Shou, who secretly guessed that the opportunity he had been eagerly waiting for had finally arrived.

  He then concealed his excited look and went to pay respects to the old master.

  "Do you have any connection with Liu Chengen, Liu Taipan? I have an urgent matter to discuss with him." asked Zhou Dexiu.

  "Is it Director Liu? But isn't he the Director of the Three Departments? Director Liu is usually not at Empress Liu's place, but rather at the Three Departments. Since you've come to pay your respects, I suppose he will meet with you." Qin Shou replied quickly, thinking as he spoke.

  Liu Taichang was appointed by Empress Liu to establish the Three Departments in the capital city, where he forcibly bought and sold goods, recklessly extorting wealth from the people. The citizens of the capital were extremely resentful, but unfortunately, no one could control him.

  He thought of the Zhao State Duke's mansion possibly wanting to get in good with Empress Liu, relying on Empress Liu's influence over His Majesty, this could really turn things around for the Zhao State Duke's mansion. This won't do, this matter must be reported to Lord Ma.

  "You go and write an invitation letter, the sooner I can meet with Liu Taipan the better!" Zhou Dexiu instructed.

  If it were an ordinary day, all the big and small things in the government would actually be handled by Qin Shou, while Zhou De Xiu himself only cared about eating, drinking and having fun. However, this time it was a matter of great importance, and before he left, Zhou Wen Bo had repeatedly entrusted him with the secrecy and importance of the matter, but Zhou De Xiu still decided to take matters into his own hands.

  His caution saved his life and left Zhou Wenbo with a little chance of turning over.

  Qin Shou saw that the old master only instructed him to contact Liu Taiping, and didn't tell him about other matters in detail. He knew that Zhou Dexiu must have a heavy responsibility on his shoulders, so he stopped probing and retreated.

  That night, Zhou Dexiu met with Liu Taichang.

  Eunuch Liu was also a clever person in the palace, otherwise he would not have gained the trust of Empress Liu and become her confidant and tool for collecting wealth.

  When the news of Zhou De's death in battle had just arrived in the capital, he was still unaware of it. This time, when Li Ji's memorial was presented, high-ranking officials and dignitaries in the capital probably already knew about this shocking news.

  The Zhao Manor is in trouble!

  It's said that when it rains, it pours. Not only did the old national hero Zhou De-yuan die in battle, but his successor Zhou Wen-huan also died together with him. This is truly the end of the Zhou family.

  Although it was none of his business, he was still very curious about the development of the situation and the reaction of the Zhao State's imperial court.

  So when he received Zhou Dexiu's visiting card, he thought for a moment and agreed to meet tonight.

  The meeting place of the two was arranged on the third floor of the Grand Ocean Building. Except for the two people, there were no outsiders in the hundreds of square meters room.

  Zhou Dexiu had no ability and no culture, so he briefly exchanged pleasantries before informing the purpose of his visit and handed over the letter and gift list given by Zhou Wenbo to Empress Liu.

  As soon as Liu the eunuch saw "three thousand taels of gold, twenty thousand taels of silver" on the gift list, he couldn't help but stare at these nine short words with his eyes fixed.

  What a gift it is that one cannot help but accept.

  Money makes the mare go.

  Since Liu Taichang took over the three departments for Empress Liu, in the past three years, he has been engaging in forced buying and selling, cleverly creating names, exhausting his mind to extort people's wealth, but only got a total of 500,000 guan, which is equivalent to 500,000 taels of white silver. However, this gift list alone is worth 50,000 taels of white silver, which is one-tenth of the total amount.

  All Liu Empress needs to do is whisper some pillow talk, and nothing more should be required of her.

  Watching Liu Taiping's originally dignified expression suddenly turn into a stunned look, Zhou Dexiu also felt some emotion. This gift was indeed far beyond his imagination.

  At the time of the Five Dynasties, people's lives were bleak. After thirty years of killing, the population of the whole country had dropped from 50 million at the end of the Tang Dynasty to 20 million, and that in the territory of the Later Tang Dynasty was just over 10 million. The economic environment of this era was extremely poor due to war and famine, far from the prosperity of the Two Songs, Ming and Qing Dynasties. This wealth of 50,000 taels of silver might not even be considered a county's top rich man in the late Ming Dynasty, but at that time it was a huge sum that high-ranking officials wearing crimson and purple robes could not afford.

  In this era, there is no economy, no construction, and no order; all wealth is invested in maintaining the army.

  Seeing Liu Taiguan being subdued by this thick gift, Zhou Dexiu handed out the second gift list.

  This 5,000 taels of silver gift list is for Liu Taichang, and it's comparable to what he has accumulated through his hard work over the past three years.

  The host and guest were delighted, calling each other brothers and swearing to be sworn friends.

  Empress Liu can influence the emperor's opinion, and Eunuch Liu can naturally influence Empress Liu's opinion. These 5,000 taels of silver will not be wasted.

  That night the palace gate was already locked, and naturally Liu Taichang could not enter the palace. However, on the second day at dawn, he hastily brought letters and gift lists to pay respects to Empress Liu.

  Empress Liu was now in her forties, yet her skin was still tender and delicate, not inferior to that of a young girl of eighteen or nineteen. Her elegant and noble demeanor added to her charm, making her truly a national beauty and a heavenly fragrance. Otherwise, how could she have won the exclusive favor of Emperor Li Cunxu for twenty years?

  After finishing reading this letter with "Zhao Guo Gong Yin" on it, Liu Yuniang fell into deep thought.

  "Three thousand taels of gold and twenty thousand taels of silver, all for just one word from you. The entire Zhao family will be eternally grateful. What a generous gesture indeed."

  Liu Yuniang suddenly changed the subject: "Who is this new Zhao Guogong Zhou Wenbo? Why haven't I heard of him?"

  "Your Majesty, Zhou Wenbo is the second son of Zhao Guogong Zhou Deyan, who has just turned 16 this year. He has been well-read in poetry and books since childhood, and is elegant and refined, with exceptional talent." Liu Chengen had received a gift of 5,000 taels, so he naturally spoke flattering words, and last night he had specifically investigated this sudden emergence of the Zhao Guogong heir, just in case Her Majesty asked.

  "Oh, it's worth seeing then."

  Liu Yuniang glared at Liu Chengen and said sternly, "You scoundrel, your mouth is as smooth as if it's been smeared with honey. Did you also receive a large sum of money from the Zhao Guogong Mansion?"

  "Reporting back to Your Ladyship, I am devoted to serving you and how dare I conceal anything from you? This Zhao Guo Gong Fu is indeed very careful and has also bribed me with a few pieces of silver." Eunuch Liu was sweating profusely, kowtowing repeatedly.

  "Go on, be diligent and don't slack off." Empress Liu naturally wouldn't be dissatisfied with her trusted aide, she just wanted to knock some sense into him. Seeing him drenched in sweat and extremely nervous, she stopped.

  "What about this matter?" Liu Taiping cautiously inquired.

  "En, go back and reply to the Zhao Guo Gong Fu, just say that I have agreed, whether it is successful or not, still depends on the Emperor's intention."

  "The little man withdraws."

  Out of the queen's bedroom, Liu Taijian finally took out his handkerchief and carefully wiped away the sweat beads on his forehead. This kind of skill that could cry or laugh at will was something Liu Cheng'en had practiced for over ten years before he made a name for himself overnight and gained the favor of Queen Liu within a year, rising to prominence and earning the envy and resentment of all the eunuchs in the palace.