Fu Shifeng

Chapter 141 For the Ten Thousand People
Wang Yuanbao was taken aback when he heard the words, he didn't expect Changqing to be eyeing the food he had hoarded.His industries spread across both sides of the Yongji Canal, bringing together a large number of products in Hebei, of which grain, cloth and silk are naturally the most important.

Although Guanzhong is Gyeonggi, after a hundred years of operation by the dynasty, it can be said that the land is narrow and densely populated. In addition to the invasion of fishing by rich and nobles, the annexation of wealthy families, and the expenditure of the royal family, most of the imperial court's needs had to be transshipped from the Kanto region, especially from Hebei.

Although the imperial court kept expropriating Hebei, most of it belonged to the state treasury, which was used to distribute official salaries, food and salaries for border towns, and various water and land repairs. Do your best to maintain it, so that your expenses will not be out of balance and your inventory will be empty.

The reason why Wang Yuanbao and his four wealthy people can make such a big business is precisely because they jumped out of the country's serious tax collection and obtained it through various legal or illegal business means.

However, the profits from the operations of the four big tycoons do not belong to them completely. The Weinan Doubao Club is a big example, and they will eventually be used to support the saints and the royal relatives.

"Forgive me for speaking boldly." Wang Yuanbao didn't dare to get angry, and carefully probed: "Mr. Changqing's words, could it be that Mr. Lu instructed him?"

"Yes." Changqing looked calm, picked up a delicate jade cup, looked at the amber wine inside, but did not drink it.

The faces of the four wealthy people were slightly gloomy. Although they were competitors in the business field, they all felt a strong sense of crisis at the moment.

It can be said that their business can reach such a large scale, covering fifteen roads in the north and south, completely relying on the acquiescence of the saints, walking outside the court's laws.

But now Lu Xiang clearly wants to reach out and bring this part of huge interests into the court's jurisdiction.

On the surface, allowing the states to raise their own warehouse capital can achieve both public and private convenience, but when it comes to court, businessmen will never be able to compare with officials.No matter how many joint benefits there are on weekdays, if you really like the money and property of the businessman, the county magistrate can confiscate and confiscate it with a word, without even ordering from Lu Xiang himself.

Moreover, the matter of raising funds by the states themselves is very likely to turn into local officials wantonly carve up and plunder the local businessmen's property.

"Mr. Changqing does not know that what I run is just a warehouse and a barn, and not all the grain stored in it is owned by my subordinates." Wang Yuanbao explained: "Merchants in Hebei entrust some of their goods and grain to the warehouse for the convenience of turnover. Stores and barns under my name, converted into silver coins, or signed a contract, and then exchanged into money and purchased properties in Chang'an, Luoyang and other places.

"I am able to do this business not because of my cleverness and wisdom, but because of my integrity and reliability, and I have never been in arrears or greedy. Now that Lu Xiang wants me to take out food, it is tantamount to robbing the property. It is not only ridiculed by the world, but also harmful to Hebei It is convenient for the turnover of money, food and goods."

Wang Yuanbao's tone was tactful, but in fact he was threatening.

If you really want to rely on your power to plunder, Wang Yuanbao is definitely no match for Lu Xiang.But once the face is torn apart, Prime Minister Lu's New Deal will encounter great resistance if he wants to implement it in the Hebei states.

If the New Deal is not implemented, the country's financial resources will be in short supply, and Lu Xiang's power and position will not be guaranteed. This is where Wang Yuanbao's confidence lies.

Changqing didn't understand that what Lu Xiang did was to fight for the interests from these big businessmen, no matter how high-sounding it was, it was useless.

Even if the reason for the drought and famine in Hebei is given, it is impossible to persuade these big businessmen. Maybe they take advantage of natural disasters to make profits and merge, and they will only do it more smoothly.

"There is one more thing I can reveal to you all." Changqing said helplessly: "The sage intends to go to Mount Tai to enshrine Zen at the end of the year, and is currently preparing to build a palace."

As soon as this remark came out, the four great people changed their colors again.The enshrining of Zen in Mount Tai is unusual, and it has always been regarded as an act of the ancient sages to declare the merits of the emperor to heaven, but they are not concerned about these.

When the emperor toured Mount Tai in the east, he would be accompanied by hundreds of officials and relatives. During the journey, thousands of horses and horses rode mighty and mighty.

"The recent severe drought in Hebei, if it is not handled properly, there may be turmoil." Changqing shook the cup: "No matter who it is, I don't want the sage to be disturbed by refugees on his way to the East."

In the ears of the four powerful people, these words are actually equivalent to threats.If you blindly resist to the end, then what you have to face in the future will not be the feasting and singing and dancing in the beard tower.

On the other hand, Changqing wanted to represent Lu Xiang's position. Although he was not happy in his heart, he also vaguely understood that person's methods.

With the authority of Prime Minister Lu, it is entirely possible to force local states and counties to confiscate the grain hoarded by Wang Yuanbao with a single government order, but doing so will completely destroy the original situation in Hebei.Before the new policy was implemented, it first caused shocks in the Hebei states. The big households and the small people did not benefit, and the husbands complained. This is very inappropriate.

"Layman Wang is devout and compassionate, and he doesn't want to see the people of Hebei suffer from hunger without taking any action." Chang Qing looked at Wang Yuanbao, and said in a slightly looser tone, "I will also set off for Hebei in a few days to join a group of fellow Taoists. , go to do it to pray for rain, so as to reassure the people. If there is a layman Wang who donates rice and relieves the people, the sage will know about it, and he will give him a big reward if he thinks about it."

In fact, these words were against his will. Changqing was not sure that Wang Yuanbao would be rewarded by the emperor, but in order to alleviate the drought and famine, he didn't care too much, so he could only force himself to learn to be flexible.

"I understand." Wang Yuanbao gritted his teeth, made up his mind, crossed his arms and said, "I'll send someone to send a message on a flying horse to arrange for the storage of boats and vehicles to be ready for dispatch."

Changqing also didn't want to worry about whether he really learned Buddhism to show compassion, or he was afraid of Lu Xiang's authority, and bowed his hands: "Then I will thank Layman Wang on behalf of the people of Hebei."

After several times of singing and dancing, the delicious food gradually cooled down. The four great men chatted with Changqing about the details of the New Deal, and they had no intention of having a banquet, and then they took their leave one after another and left.They understand the New Deal trends earlier than others, and many business arrangements will undergo changes, so there is no room for leisure right now.

After the four great people left, Changqing sat in the same place and sighed slightly, and Su Wangting beside him said: "The dishes are already cold, I'll ask someone to replace them with new ones."

"No need."

Changqing looked at the delicacies of mountains and seas on the table in front of him, and thought of the people in Hebei who were worrying about the imminent death of their crops, he was really not interested.

"Where's Cheng Sanwu?" Chang Qing raised his head and asked.

"I asked them to come here." Su Wangting saw that Chang Qing was in a bad mood.

After a while, I saw Cheng Sanwu coming, followed by Afu and others.

"Okay, those four rich men are all chickens in front of you." Cheng Sanwu just sat down, then reached out and grabbed a piece of marrow fat honey cake from the dining table and stuffed it into his mouth.

Changqing said helplessly: "The fox is just pretending to be the tiger."

"I just heard that you are going to Hebei to pray for rain?" Afu asked.

Chang Qing frowned slightly, obviously just now the sound of singing and dancing downstairs resounded, the dominatrix could still hear them talking, this ear is really sharp.

But after thinking about it, she is a member of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and she may have known about the imperial court's arrangements for a long time.

Changqing nodded and said: "That's right, and I heard that there are monks in Hebei showing their supernatural powers, praying for rain to relieve drought, and attracting many people to join them."

"Isn't that just right?" Cheng Sanwu said casually as if he didn't know how to keep a secret: "We just happen to be going to Hebei, to deal with those monks."

"You... the Ministry of Internal Affairs is going to deal with that group of monks?" Changqing asked: "Could it be that they incited the people to rebel?"

"Maybe they are some kind of rebellious party!" Cheng Sanwu moved a pot of soup in front of him.

"Anti-Party?" Changqing didn't quite believe it.

"You don't need to worry about this matter." Afu interrupted: "You do your best to pray for rain. As long as there is no chaos in Hebei, the future will naturally be bright."

"By the way, can you really pray for rain?" Cheng Sanwu asked curiously.

"Of course I can't do it alone. I need everyone to build an altar. The Taoism is complete, and I am proficient in it." Changqing explained: "And I have already thought about it. When I arrive in Hebei, I will search for the miracles in the cave. It is naturally much more convenient to use imperial water to throw Jian into the land.”

Afu nodded secretly, she was young and young, but her insights in Taoism were not inferior to those of the senior masters. It might be better if the practice of Taoism could be higher.

"Changqing, you must be careful when you go to Hebei." Su Wangting said suddenly.

"Brother Fu, why did you say that?" Changqing was puzzled.

"Although I don't know the current situation in Hebei, but listening to your conversation, I can think of something." Su Wangting said: "If Changqing succeeds in praying for rain, it will certainly be a good thing for the people of Hebei, but for the monks who act with supernatural powers." , isn't there a bunch of bad people?"

"Cutting one's wealth is like killing one's parents." Cheng Sanwu also chimed in: "The monk also needs to eat. You're blatantly grabbing business. How can they make it easier for you?"

Changqing's face darkened slightly, and he said: "I went to Hebei to relieve the people's worries, not for personal fame and fortune, and I have a clear conscience!"

Afu sneered in her heart, this fake Taoist priest was ridiculously naive, and I don't know who poured him this kind of ecstasy soup.

"You have a clear conscience!" Cheng Sanwu slapped the table and said loudly: "Don't worry, if anyone dares to trouble you, I will chop him into seventeen or eight pieces!"

Seeing him like this, Su Wangting and Afu both showed helpless expressions.Only Changqing looked at Cheng Sanwu's piercing eyes, his heart warmed with such enthusiasm, and he smiled: "Okay, I believe you."

……

"Hey, have you heard? There is a big cloud Jingguang celestial girl in Hebei!"

In a secluded restaurant with a different style diagonally opposite the Huran Building, Kong Yifang was playing with a Tongbao coin. After hearing Mu Yuan's words, his hands paused, and he asked, "Dayun Jingguang Tiannv? Small."

"This name is not only not small, but also has a great origin!" Mu Yuan was a little excited: "Back then, Buddhism said that the heroine Emperor Zhao is the reincarnation of Dayun Jingguang Tiannu!"

Kong Yifang was not too surprised: "It's not surprising that people act in the name of gods and Buddhas since ancient times."

"No, this goddess of pure light really has supernatural powers." Mu Yuan's tone became more stable.

Kong Yifang looked at Mu Yuan: "Did you see the goddess cast spells in Hebei?"

"I didn't dare to get too close, but I could see the shape of a dragon and snake in the clouds from a distance, and then a drizzle fell." Mu Yuan said.

"The shape of a dragon and snake? Are you sure?" Kong Yifang frowned.

"Do you think this goddess of pure light can attract the energy of dragon veins?" Mu Yuan asked.

"The energy of the dragon veins is not owned by Fu Shifeng. I heard from the master before that Anquti used a strange method from the far west to capture the dragon energy from the Tianshan Mountains and turned it into a huge barrier covering most of the western regions." Kong Yifang Think about it for a while: "However, I remember that Buddhism also has the theory of the Dragon King. This theory originated from Tianzhu, where there are monsters named Naga, which look like dragons and snakes, and are subjugated by the Buddha. Later, the Buddhist scriptures spread to the Central Plains, and these monsters were Translated into dragon, after a long time, most people in the Central Plains can hardly distinguish it."

Mu Yuan asked: "You mean, the Pure Light Goddess summoned the Buddhist Nagas to send down rain?"

"I have never seen it with my own eyes, so I can only make this guess." Kong Yiyi said: "But according to what you say, I'm afraid the court will think that Jingguang Tiannv is plotting something wrong."

Mu Yuan sneered a few times: "I can almost guess it without asking. Now this old emperor can be regarded as hating the heroine Zhaohuang to the core. He was confined in the palace since he was a child, and he was not allowed to leave the court for more than ten years. Even his mother The concubine was also killed by the Emperor Zhao in the name of witchcraft curse. Now someone claims to be the goddess of Dayun Jingguang, do you think the emperor will be angry if he knows?"

"It seems that Cheng Sanwu is going to make a move." Kong Yifang tapped the copper coin: "I'm going to leave for Hebei later..."

Before he finished speaking, he saw Mu Yuan calling out the window: "Look, Cheng Sanwu and the others have come out."

Kong Yifang got up and came to the window, looked at Cheng Sanwu who had bid farewell to Su Wangting and others from a distance, and said in deep thought: "It has been more than ten years, and his appearance has not changed at all."

"His body is not an ordinary human body, so it's not surprising at all." Mu Yuan muttered, "It would be a pity not to cut open a body for such a good body."

Kong Yifang glanced at Mu Yuan: "I understand, you Jiang Yan's lineage just don't treat people as people."

"Don't talk nonsense, I just want to study the truth of all things!" Mu Yuan argued: "Buddhism says that the human body is a fake combination of the four major elements, and Taoism says that I have a serious problem because I have a body. In my opinion, human The internal organs are inside the body, and the muscles, bones and fur are all made up of these things. If they can be replaced to prolong their lifespan, it will be much more convenient than exhaling and refining Qi."

"A human body is a human body, and a human being is a human being. How do you arrange your thoughts and soul?" Kong Yifang smiled and shook his head, but when he saw Afu walking out of the beard tower, his face changed slightly.

"Who is that orchid who boarded the green car?" Kong Fangfang asked.

"She is the dakini yaksha who witnessed Cheng Sanwu devouring Ankuti's soul in the Western Regions." Mu Yuan said, "It was also she who led Cheng Sanwu into the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Together, having fun in the name of Shuangxiu. If you want to say who can most influence Cheng Sanwu's decision-making, it must be this person."

Kong Yifang stared at Afu, and murmured: "A dakini yaksha actually became a member of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, I didn't expect, I didn't expect..."

"Isn't it!" Mu Yuan murmured, "It's fine for the servants to save others. At present, only this dominatrix has the real ability to experience the process of three or five. I suspect that she may be aware of the gluttonous nature. She wants to use Cheng Sanwu if she doesn't keep it. Achieve the ulterior purpose!"

Kong Yifang smiled with a twisted beard: "Interesting, I'm curious, what is her purpose."

(End of this chapter)