Although it is not an official newspaper, the information in it should be credible.

Zhao Sheng looked grave and put the Di newspaper back on the bookshelf.

In recent years, the world has not been peaceful.

Although he had no worries about food and clothing while staying in the palace, he also felt deeply.

For example, intrauterine contractions have been used several times.

He is a first-class eunuch in the clan's mansion, with a salary of more than ten taels of silver a year.

But in the past two years, it has been reduced and even started to issue Dali Bao banknotes.

You know, Dali's treasure money is too hard to use to wipe your butt.

Over the past hundred years, precious banknotes have been almost no longer used. Folks mostly use copper coins, but also use silver for settlement.

But the silver veins of the Dali Dynasty were exhausted, and more and more places used silver, which almost caused a money shortage.

The current world situation is like this. Even if there is no silver available, people are unwilling to believe in treasure money.

But even though the imperial court knew that its treasure banknotes were of no use, it couldn't just throw them away.

After all, the laws of our ancestors are immutable.

Since the people don't use it, they can be used to distribute it to officials and subordinates of the imperial court.

Zhao Sheng only stayed in Jinyiwei Prison for less than a month and did not receive any salary, but he also heard others talk about it.

Five coins per month, but two coins are exchanged for treasure notes.

The treasure banknotes of these two coins amount to forty strings.

This shows how devalued it has become.

It’s no wonder that the guards of Jinyiwei are all swearing.

At that time, Zhao Sheng was glad that he was serving in the palace. No matter how hard the palace was, he would never treat his servants like this.

But before he could be happy for long, word came down from the palace.

From now on, 20% of the monthly salary of eunuchs and maids will be paid in treasure notes.

This is a person who works for your royal family. Are you playing tricks on others like this?

Nowadays, twenty guan of treasure banknotes are worth one penny of silver. There is no guarantee that the value will continue to depreciate in the future.

When the time comes, it will become thirty or fifty guan?

This is secret exploitation!

No wonder the palace was so short of manpower during the Chinese New Year last year.

One leaf falls and you know autumn.

Even the servants in the palace are like this, let alone the poor people in the world.

They have no salary and can only depend on the weather.

We have to pay grain every year, but when there are natural or man-made disasters, taxes are not reduced.

In recent years, the imperial court has not been peaceful. There are wars everywhere, and money is needed everywhere.

Where does the money come from?

Take it from the people and use it to the scholars.

"Yangzhou is a prosperous land in the world and is known as the land of plenty.

Now that they have been ruined by the imperial court, who knows how the people in other places are doing?

If the oppression is too great, I'm afraid there will be another rebellion. I hope nothing happens during this trip."

Zhao Sheng tapped his fingers on the table and sighed.

The day after tomorrow, he will take two families through Jiangzhen, which is the boundary of Yangzhou.

If he encounters rebels, it is not certain whether he can protect himself, let alone protect two families who have no power to restrain themselves.

Now he can only take care of himself and cannot control much.

"Let's take a step and see."

Zhao Sheng sighed again and sat cross-legged on the bed.

He will continue to reversely refine his blood energy into pure energy to prepare for the battles he may encounter next.

The day after tomorrow, at Mao hour, everyone got up and continued taking the boat.

After two days of rest, everyone was in high spirits, and the boatman was more energetic than usual.

In just two hours, we reached Jiangzhen Pier.

Taking advantage of the fact that it was still early, Zhao Sheng and the others hurried on their way.

First, we rented two donkey carts and a horse from the dock, and everyone walked towards the gate of Jiangzhen.

Zhao Sheng was riding a horse and looked so majestic that the gatekeepers did not dare to cause trouble after seeing him.

After taking out the road guide and confirming that everyone's identities were correct, the gatekeepers let them pass.

Jiangzhen is neither big nor small, it is a water town.

There are many waterways and painted bridges in the town.

Winter has just entered at this time, the water along the river is hazy, and the willows are like smoke. Compared with Yanjing, it is a different kind of scenery.

Zhao Sheng and others walked on the street, looking at the things around them curiously.

Whether it is the structure of nearby houses or the items sold at roadside stalls, they are all very different from those in Yanjing.

Zhao Sheng rode in front and saw some special snacks. He also bought a large bag, filled it with lotus leaves, and distributed it to everyone behind him.

Looking at the crystal clear bun in my hand, both the dough and the filling are different from those eaten in the palace.

Zhao Sheng took a bite, the crystal-like dough was crispy and soft, and the juice inside overflowed, making it sweet and full.

The filling is made of winter bamboo shoots and bacon, mixed with dried shrimps and scallops, making it even more delicious and juicy.

The people on the donkey cart behind had never eaten any of this, and when they were about to eat it, their eyes lit up.

Wen Lan held the snack Zhao Sheng gave him in his hand, lowered his head and lowered his eyebrows, with a special kind of light in his pretty eyes.

Only Zhao Ling, this child was greedy and screamed when the juice was hot, which made Ms. Zhao quickly put her hand to her mouth and asked her to spit it out.

This child is really stubborn. He refuses to vomit, but just wants to eat it.

She has never eaten something so delicious, how could she throw up!

When Zhao Sheng caught a glimpse of this scene, he couldn't help but smile and handed Zhao Ling a few more buns.

"Eat slowly, there is more."

Zhao Ling's eyes shone, but she didn't dare to pick it up. After seeing Zhao Sheng nod, she took it.

She only ate one this time and saved the rest.

"I'll give it to everyone to eat from now on..."

Zhao Ling held the bun in both hands, lowered her head and ate it slowly.

Zhao Sheng smiled again and looked back with more doubts in his eyes.

Didn’t the Di newspaper say that the people of Jiangzhen are in dire straits?

Looking at the scene in front of us, there are still talented people and beauties playing, looking like the time has passed peacefully.

"Is the Di newspaper not trustworthy?"

Zhao Sheng came to a foot shop with doubts.

A foot shop is not a foot-washing house, but a place for pedestrians to rest and practice foot massage. It also serves as a restaurant.

Zhao Sheng ordered a few Yangzhou specialties and started chatting with the waiter. Only then did he realize that there was also a big shot in Jiang Town.

At that time, Xu Zhaosi, a bachelor of Wenhua Palace and the Minister of Household Affairs, was born in Jiangzhen.

This Xu University scholar has a family background, and three generations of his family have been officials, with each generation becoming more senior.

The old man has been here for more than ten years and now lives in Jiangzhen.

"No, that's right there."

The waiter pursed his lips and Zhao Sheng looked outside.

Sure enough, I saw a tall house in the diagonal distance opposite.

That is Xu Mansion.

Looking from Zhao Sheng's side, one can still see the red gate and the stone lion.

Not to mention how magnificent it would be if viewed from the front.

He looked at it for a while and narrowed his eyes slightly.
To be continued...