Daming talker

Chapter 528: Omnipotent (asking for monthly ticket!)
When it comes to the distribution of political power in today's era, Lin Tailai doesn't know whether it is good or bad.

In any case, the court's authority over local areas gradually declined, and the gentry had more and more say in local affairs, at least in Jiangnan.

If it were not for such a social environment, it would have been impossible for Mr. Lin to be so successful in Suzhou and control a large number of local affairs.

The situation in Songjiang Prefecture was even more serious than that in Suzhou Prefecture. Therefore, if one wanted to carry out a large project in Songjiang Prefecture, it was very important to deal with these wealthy people in Songjiang Prefecture.

Mr. Lin said angrily, "Let's stop here for now. After I have contacted these three companies, I will talk about the others!"

Feng Shike added, "I would also like to talk about Chen Jiru. I hope that when Jiuyuan Jun arrives in Songjiang Prefecture, he can also help Chen Jiru build momentum and fame."

In history, Chen Jiru achieved great success and was considered the number one mountain man in the world at that time and the leading figure in the literary world of Songjiang Prefecture.

At that time, Songjiang Prefecture was compiling a local gazetteer, and Chen Jiru, whose highest educational level was only that of a student, was able to surpass a group of township officials and become the editor-in-chief.

But now Chen Jiru is only a young man in his early thirties, and Mr. Lin asked curiously:

"Why do you think so highly of Chen Jiru? When the New Literary League was founded, you helped him fight for a position. Now that I'm in Songjiang Prefecture, you want me to help him build momentum. Could it be that he is your unknown illegitimate son?"

"Don't talk nonsense!" Feng Shike's face turned black. "The literary world in Songjiang Prefecture is in a period of transition. I just think highly of Chen Jiru's potential and I have a heart for talent!"

Of course, there is no need to go into details about the fact that Chen Jiru was the tutor of Wang Heng, the eldest son of Lord Wang Xijue, and that Wang Heng's wife is now the niece of Feng Shike, so Chen Jiru and Feng Shike are people from a small circle.

Mr. Lin looked outside for a few times and saw numerous towns and cities, dense population, and a network of waterways. The scenery was almost the same as that in Suzhou.

I remembered a statistic that came from somewhere. It is said that the urbanization rate of Songjiang Prefecture in the late Ming Dynasty was as high as 19%, the highest in the country, higher than the 15% of Suzhou Prefecture.

Arriving at the city, Lin Tailai entered the city from the South Gate Jixian Gate and went straight to the Grand Tutor's Mansion, which was well-known among the people.

After considering it, Mr. Lin decided to meet the dog owners first and then go to the provincial school.

In densely populated areas like Jiangnan today, there is no distinction between living in the city or outside the city, and there is no chain of contempt.

For example, the Xu family’s Tai Shi Mansion is in the city, while the Gu family’s Xi Garden is outside the city. It all depends on personal preference.

So in order to contact the Xu family, Mr. Lin went into the city first.

Not far from the South Gate is the Chong'en Arch built for Xu Jie. As a sign of courtesy, Mr. Lin stopped to admire it for a while.

Well, much more stingy than his own two champions, civil and military.

I just can't understand why the Xu family wanted to move the archway to another place.

The Xu family attached great importance to the visit of Mr. Lin. Xu Youqing, the great-grandson of Xu Jie and a former low-ranking official, personally greeted him at the gate.

Xu Jie's eldest grandson, the former Minister of Taichang Temple, Xu Yuanchun, greeted him at the ceremonial gate, while Xu Jie's eldest son, Xu Fan, who was already 61 years old, was waiting in the courtyard.

The eldest sons of three generations, old, middle-aged and young, went out together, which was a very grand treatment.

After the host and the guests were seated in the main hall, Mr. Lin greeted them while looking at the three generations of the Xu family.

To be honest, the three generations of legitimate sons after Xu Jie were all quite magical. Although there are not many traces of them in official historical materials, there are many legends and gossips about them.

For example, Xu Fan's role to Xu Jie is similar to that of Yan Shifan to Yan Song.

After Xu Jie retired, Xu Fan was the one who led the Xu family's massive land occupation. As a result, Xu Fan was exiled and almost ended up like Yan Shifan, but was rescued by Zhang Juzheng.

Let’s not talk about the fact that Xu Youqing was bullied by the steward of the East Factory commander for now.

In history, the most legendary gossip about Xu Youqing is that when Emperor Wanli toured Tianshou Mountain, Xu Youqing accompanied him.

Because Xu Youqing was handsome, he was favored by the young and restless Emperor Wanli. In the end, Xu Youqing resigned out of shame and anger.

Mr. Lin felt that this gossip was a bit unreliable. If Xu Youqing had such a relationship with the emperor, how could he be bullied by the steward of the East Factory?
Anyway, in this time and space, Xu Youqing resigned and returned to his hometown because he, Lin Tailai, killed Xing Shangzhi. Xu Youqing was worried about being retaliated against, so he decided to leave.

Out of politeness, Mr. Lin did not look at his peer Xu Youqing for long, for fear that he would not be able to hold back his laughter.

He mainly talked to the two generations of the elders, Xu Fan and Xu Yuanchun, and asked curiously, "I just admired the Grand Tutor's Archway, but I don't understand why it was moved?"

Xu Fan smiled bitterly and said, "Under the heavy pressure of local opinion, I have no choice but to move again."

Mr. Lin doesn't believe it at all. Given your Xu family's status in Songjiang Prefecture, who can force you to move the Xu Jie Archway?

Xu Yuanchun explained: "Chong'enfang was previously located to the west of the bridge, but the place was too narrow and inconvenient for traffic, so it was moved to the east of the bridge last year.

Then, during the provincial examination last year, all the students from our Songjiang Prefecture were wiped out, which was a great shame and humiliation.

As a result, the people had a folk song that goes - After the Chong'en Archway crossed the river, all the students in the prefecture failed their exams!

Faced with this kind of public opinion, our Xu family couldn't stand it, so we wanted to move back to Qiaoxi.

I would also like to ask you, the Nine Yuan Immortal, to come forward and preside over the etiquette and guide the Feng Shui!" Lin Tailai: "."

After much guessing, it turns out to be feudal superstition.

In such a prominent county in the south of the Yangtze River, it was indeed a shame and humiliation for the whole city that the students from the prefecture had their heads shaved during the provincial examination. No wonder the Xu family, who were inexplicably blamed, couldn't stand it.

Both parties were interested in making friends, and with Feng Shike as the middleman, the atmosphere gradually became warmer as they chatted.

Seeing that the time was almost right, Xu Fan, the head of the Xu family, said, "I heard that Lord Jiuyuan had a son in April. Our Xu family's eldest branch also had a daughter. We are willing to marry Lord Jiuyuan."

This proposal was quite unexpected, and Mr. Lin was confused.

He just wants to talk about profit cooperation today, but you want to turn partners into relatives?

To everyone's eyes, this marriage was a perfect match.

The Xu family is currently still the most influential family in Songjiang Prefecture, and Lin Tailai is the biggest overlord in Suzhou Prefecture. They are a perfect match.

However, deep down in Mr. Lin's heart, he prefers to choose a family that will be strong in future imperial examinations, such as the Wang family of Shandong.

The Xu family, which seems to be flourishing, currently relies on imperial favor to become an official, and has not produced any ministers, so they will be nothing in the future imperial examinations.

So Mr. Lin looked down on the Xu family a little, but of course he could never say this out loud.

All I can say is: "The child is still too young, and the future is very uncertain. Let's wait and see for a few more years."

At this time, it was time for Feng Shike to play a role. He interrupted and said, "Our Feng family also intends to marry Jiuyuan. We said it on the way. If Jiuyuan wants to consider it, he will consider our Feng family first, and then the Xu family."

Xu Fan smiled and said, "Our Xu family can claim 20% of the shares of Xinwu Company! If we can get married, these 20% shares will all be used as dowry in the future!"

Having said that, both the host and the guests were very happy.

At this moment, the doorman came to report, "Master Gu from Xiyuan is here!"

This Mr. Gu from Xiyuan was the one Feng Shike mentioned on the road. He was Gu Zhengxin, the head of the Chedun Gu family, who used 100,000 taels of silver to buy land as charity land.

Feng Shike also mentioned that Gu Zhengxin often helped prisoners who were imprisoned for debt and tax repayment and then rescued them from prison.

If it weren't for the peaceful and prosperous times, Mr. Lin would have suspected that Gu Zhengxin was trying to gain support from the people and start a rebellion.

With this kind of appeal, when times are chaotic, just one call from a high place can gather tens of thousands of vagrant soldiers and brave warriors, right?
"Hahahaha! I heard that the Nine Yuan True Immortal had come to Yunjian and arrived at the Grand Tutor's Mansion first, so I couldn't wait to come uninvited!"

Along with the hearty voice, a slightly plump scholar with a dark complexion walked in from outside.

For some reason, Mr. Lin always felt that this appearance was highly similar to Song Jiang, the Timely Rain. A super-sized Songjiang, the Timely Rain?
Gu Zhengxin was the first to bow to Lin Tailai and pleaded, "In recent years, my Gu family's literary reputation has not been very good, and I am only a student. I hope that Jiuyuan Jun will lend a hand and help me to become famous!"

Xu Fan laughed and scolded beside him: "Just let your children study hard, why are you so anxious to seek literary fame!"

Gu Zhengxin replied: "It takes ten years to train a person, and I don't know how long it will take to achieve something. I can't wait! I can't wait!

The reputation of our Gu family and the dignity of our well-dressed aristocratic family must be maintained first!"

This anxiety is understandable. Lin Jiuyuan asked curiously, "What do you want me to do?"

Gu Zhengxin said: "Please ask Jiuyuan Jun to go to our Gu family to learn, and then praise the children of the Gu family and write poems to praise them, is that okay?"

Mr. Lin was speechless and said with disdain: "This kind of flattery is too blunt, it has no characteristics and no points for spreading."

"What else can we do?" Gu Zhengxin said doubtfully. Isn't this how scholars build momentum?
Lin Tailai devised a trick on the spot: "On a dark and windy night, oh no, a night with a sparse moon and stars, I, the Nine Yuan True Immortal, passed by Xiyuan on a boat.

Suddenly I heard faintly some noisy voices and asked the local guide, who was making the noise at night?
The local guide replied, “This is the sound of the children of the Chedun Gu family reading!”

Gu Zhengxin clapped his hands excitedly and shouted, "Great!"

This scene design is so brilliant, it’s a thousand times better than my own idea!
He praised from the bottom of his heart: "Jiu Yuanjun is truly an immortal!"

It is true that a capable person can do anything. No wonder he was able to defeat the most pretentious person in the literary world, Mr. Wang, in just a few years!
Then Gu Zhengxin turned to Xu Fan and asked, "How many shares of the New Wu Company will your Xu family claim?"

Xu Fan replied: "Twenty percent."

Gu Zhengxin took the initiative to say: "I heard that Jiu Yuan Jun only offered 50%, so our Gu family will claim 10% first, and leave the rest to others for the time being."

Mr. Lin was very satisfied. The trip to Songjiang Prefecture had been going very smoothly so far.

The Xu family, the largest family, and the Gu family, which has extensive social influence, have both agreed to cooperate, as well as the old accomplice the Feng family, so there will basically be no major problems with the project.

(End of this chapter)