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Chapter 378 Tokyo reunion, summoned by officials

On the long table was a candlestick, some small dishes, and two wine jugs. Wang Zhong and Gu Er sat on both sides of the table, wine glasses were placed in front of them, candles were flickering on the candlestick, lanterns were hung around them, and candles were placed. The fire shelf, the house is brightly lit.

"Tell me, what's going on with your outer room?" Wang Zhong said straight to the point.

Gu Er said: "Isn't it that year when I came back to Tokyo, I met a few dandies who molested Mannia, so I drove those dandies away, and even beat up the leader. My mother chased me all the way to Bailu Cave, and her elder brother fell ill and died. I saw her as helpless, so I took her in. Mannia also lived up to her expectations, and within two years gave birth to a pair of children for me. "

When talking about Zhu Manniang's two children, Gu Er subconsciously smiled.

Wang Zhong really doesn't know what to say, is it the repairing power of the plot?Or is there some other reason?Going round and round, Gu Er was still entangled by Zhu Manniang.

"A pair of children?" Wang Zhong asked.

Gu Er smiled and said, "The older one is called Sister Rong, and the younger one is called Brother Chang!"

The reason why I only use nicknames is naturally because Sister Rong and Brother Chang are both outsiders, and have not yet been recognized by Gu Er's father, Ningyuan Hou Gu Yankai, let alone by the Gu family, and have not yet entered the Gu family's ancestral hall. Without being able to enter the genealogy, naturally there is no name.

Wang Zhong said with some emotion: "I don't want to say goodbye for only a few years, but Zhong Huai has both children, which is enviable!"

It's just that I don't know whether it's because Gu Er's speed is too fast, or because of Gu Er's fate.

But Wang Zhong didn't mean to interfere. Although Gu Er is very talented, God feeds him with food, but his temperament is too loose, and those who are talented are bound to be proud. Gu Er is like the son of Ningyuan Houfu. With a prominent background, it would be difficult to achieve great things without going through some hardships.

And if he continues like this, sooner or later, he will fall into the hands of his big brother and stepmother Xiao Qin.

Gu Er also said rather sighingly: "I didn't expect that things would develop into what they are now!"

Originally, he wanted to study quietly in the White Deer Cave Academy in order to become an official and show off his ambitions, but he never thought about it, but by mistake, he took in a woman and had two children.

Gu Er knew very well in his heart that his father, Marquis Ningyuan, would never allow someone like Manniang to enter the residence of Marquis Ningyuan. Therefore, Gu Er had to work harder to become an official as soon as possible, start a family and start a business, and marry a famous lady as a big lady. To give Zhu Manniang mother and son a home.

Wang Zhongdao: "The world is unpredictable, no one knows what will happen tomorrow!"

Gu Er lifted the jug, refilled the empty glasses in front of them, and said, "Stop talking about this! In the past two years, your business in Quanzhou has been very prosperous. Although I am in Bailudong, I have heard a lot of people talking about you What happened in Quanzhou!"

Wang Zhong said: "It's just a small fight!"

"If you're making a fuss, aren't those officials in other places eating vegetarian meals?" Gu Er cupped his hands with a straight face and said, "Once Zihou's "Salt Sunning Method" comes out, from now on, The price of salt will only get cheaper and cheaper, and the people in Guizhou, every household can eat fine salt, and the merits of Zihou will last forever."

But Wang Zhong shook his head and said: "What's the use of fine salt for every household? If you encounter corrupt officials, wanton exploitation and oppression, and treat the people like pigs and dogs, it's not uncommon to ruin your family and lose your life. The price of salt will be high." It’s cheap, if there are big merchants hoarding goods, buying goods at low prices, and then selling them at high prices, what can the people of Qianshou do?”

When Gu Er heard this, he couldn't help showing a solemn look on his face: "Although I have been studying hard in Bailu Cave for the past few years, I am not deaf to things outside the window. There are also many green forests in the vicinity of Jiangzhou. They are thieves who kill people and take goods, but some are the people in Qianshou who are forced to live by corrupt officials and aristocratic families."

"Although today's officials are benevolent, they have been in power for many years, they are sympathetic to the people, and they all lightly pay and give little money, but there are policies at the top and countermeasures at the bottom. It is said that the county magistrate who runs the water, the iron-clad tyrant, and the local tyrant, collude with the people in the yamen. , cleverly set up a name, squeezed the people, in order to achieve the purpose of annexing the land! The people have all become tenant farmers, and the fields have all been in the hands of the tyrants..."

While talking, Wang Zhong suddenly paused, gave a helpless wry smile, waved his hands, and said, "That's all, that's all, let's finally get together, what are you talking about!"

Gu Er looked at Wang Zhong with a serious face, "Zihou feels so empathetic, could it be that he also encountered these things in Quanzhou?"

Wang Zhong drank a glass of wine, his eyes showed a bit of memory, and he narrated the past in Quanzhou.

"I was in Quanzhou. When I first built the saltworks, I hired people as workers. I paid ten copper coins a day, and I was paid for two meals. There were many applicants from the people. Before the start of work, I issued a strict order. Those who are killed will be killed without mercy.

But I don't want that group of subordinate staff, who are respectful to me on the surface, but in secret they are obedient and obedient, and they set up their names!Take their hard-earned hard-earned money from the hands of the people! "

"How did Zihou deal with those subordinate officials?" Gu Er asked curiously.

"The chief culprit directly beheaded to show the public, and the rest of the intervening criminals were put in prisons, their properties were confiscated, and they were used as laborers. They were assigned to work in saltworks and docks every day without wages. The time ranged from three to ten years."

"It's a pity that it can only cure the symptoms, not the root cause. If I leave, I'm afraid that in a few years, the gang of subordinates will grow again!" Wang Zhong said helplessly.

"This..." Gu Er didn't know how to answer Wang Zhong. After reading books for so many years and seeing a lot of people in the market, Gu Er is no longer the one who talked with Chang Bai and Wang Zhong a few years ago. Teenager.

"Zi Hou thinks, how can we put an end to these chaos?" After pondering for a moment, Gu Er suddenly asked.

Wang Zhong shook his head and said: "Since the end of the Qin Dynasty when Chen Sheng and Wu Guang raised the pole in Daze Township, this problem has always existed. The practice palace made the people of the world suffer unspeakably, so the people rose up one after another.

Wei Zheng of the previous dynasty said that the king is the boat, the people are the water, and the country is next. The water can carry the boat or overturn it. Today's officials have been governed for decades, and they have widely implemented benevolent policies to calm wars. To make the people live, not everyone can serve the public wholeheartedly. As long as there is selfish desire in the heart, there will be no shortage of these moths that consume the people of the country! "

Gu Er's eyes narrowed slightly, and he said with a serious face: "Zihou thinks, how about the reform?"

"Reform?" Wang Zhong pretended to ponder, then nodded and said: "If it is a reform, it is possible to change the status quo. If it does not change, if things go on like this, I'm afraid it will lead to disaster sooner or later!"

"If there is a reform, how does Zihou think it should be implemented?" Gu Er asked.

Wang Zhongdao: "If the two tax laws can be changed, the land tax, corvee and other miscellaneous levies of all states and counties will be combined into one, and the silver money will be collected together, and the payment will be converted into mu. In this way, the tax system will be greatly simplified and tax collection will be facilitated. It is difficult for local officials to cheat, reduce corruption and further increase fiscal revenue.”

Gu Er asked: "But if corvee, land tax and miscellaneous taxes are combined, what should the states and counties do if they build embankments, official roads, irrigation canals, etc.?"

Wang Chongdao: "With the money in the treasuries of the prefectures and counties, they can hire people for wages like I did in Quanzhou. Whether the people should be called or not is entirely up to voluntary!"

Gu Er squeezed his chin, nodded slightly and said: "It sounds like it's feasible."

What Wang Zhong said was the "one whip" method established in the Jiajing Dynasty in the Ming Dynasty. Returning to the public, officials and gentry pay food and food together.

Although the "one whip" method has both advantages and disadvantages, compared with this period, it is a rare progress.

The two chatted while drinking, but most of them were Gu Erwen, and Wang Zhong explained.

Time passed quietly without knowing it.

The next day, Wang Zhong went to the Ministry of Officials early in the morning, and after a short wait, news came from the palace that Emperor Jiayou wanted to summon Wang Zhong.

Wang Zhong followed the servant all the way to the Imperial Study Room, and saw Emperor Jiayou who was reviewing the memorial. He was wearing a brocade robe with a moon-white dragon pattern, and his beard and hair were silver-white. It could be seen with the naked eye. Compared with a few years ago, Emperor Jiayou was much older. few.

After a regular salutation, Emperor Jiayou said with a smile: "In the past few years, Quanzhou's wealth has been more than one year, and Aiqing has contributed a lot!"

Wang Zhong said neither humble nor overbearing: "I just did my duty as a mediocre minister. Quanzhou can have the current situation because of His Majesty's wisdom. We open up sea trade and encourage merchants to go to sea for trade. Furthermore, it is because of Quanzhou's prosperity. The geographical location itself is very superior, and there are natural ports such as Quanzhou Bay, and the maritime merchants in the past are naturally willing to stop and rest in Quanzhou Bay."

Emperor Jiayou became more and more happy, and said: "Aiqing is too modest. Before Aiqing went to Quanzhou, Quanzhou magistrates changed one after another, but no one could be like Aiqing. However, in just a few years, Quanzhou had such a big change. Big changes, wealth is better than a year.

Although I have been in this deep palace for a long time, I have heard people talking about the changes in Aiqing and Quanzhou in the past few years. According to the statistics from the Ministry of Households and the Ministry of Officials, in the past few years, only Jinjiang and Nan'an counties The population has increased by more than 3000 households, nearly 10 people? "

"Return to Your Majesty!" Wang Zhong cupped his hands and said, "It's 3000, 42 households, 480 people. Among them, there are mountain people attracted from the mountains, some people who migrated from other counties in Quanzhou, and some Some of the refugees who spontaneously relocated from nearby prefectures and counties are merchants and craftsmen."

"3000, 42 households, 480 people, Aiqing really gave me a surprise!" Emperor Jiayou said with emotion.

"It's all thanks to Your Majesty's sageness, the concerted efforts of all the colleagues in the court and Quanzhou, and the support of the people, this is what happened!" Wang Zhong still looked neither humble nor overbearing.

Emperor Jiayou said: "I remember, in the memorial Aiqing sent last time, it was mentioned that he wanted the imperial court to set up a new city bureau in Quanzhou?"

Wang Zhongdao: "There are many mountains and few fields in Fujian Road. There has always been a folk saying that there are eight mountains, one water and one field. Although terraced fields can be built, there are not many places suitable for reclamation. If we only develop agriculture and mulberry, it will be difficult to achieve anything. Only by finding another way and taking advantage of the convenience of maritime trade can we achieve results."

Emperor Jiayou said: "However, Quanzhou does not produce porcelain or silk, and the water and land transportation is not convenient. As for the sea route, there are two city shipping offices in Hangzhou and Mingzhou in the north, and Guangzhou shipping office in the south. Will the trade between the countries in the East China Sea and the South China Sea, and the establishment of a shipping department in Quanzhou, be superfluous?"

Wang Zhongdao: "Returning to Your Majesty, in fact, whether it is Hangzhou or Mingzhou, it is at least a thousand miles away from Guangzhou. There are more than a few hundred counties in the middle. There are six states, two armies, and 47 counties on the Fujian road alone, let alone Fujian. If the neighboring prefectures and counties can set up a city shipping department in Quanzhou to connect the sea and the land, so that overseas goods can be further sold inland, as long as there is goods circulation, there will be profits, and the imperial court can collect taxes from it."

"Furthermore, there are many mountains in Fujian, which are rich in tea. Now there are seven salt drying farms that have been built and put into use, and they can produce hundreds of thousands of catties of refined salt on average every month. The two items of salt and tea alone can be used for Fujian. The imperial court brought huge taxes!"

"Aiqing means to sell the sea salt produced in Quanzhou Salt Field overseas?" Emperor Jiayou asked in surprise.

Wang Zhongdao: "Your Majesty is wise, this is exactly what I mean. Nowadays, the method of drying salt has gradually become popular in coastal areas. Salt farms have been set up in coastal states and counties, and there are well salt and lake salt. The production of table salt has been greatly increased, and it will continue to increase in the future." The more there are, the lower the price of salt will be. However, the method of selling salt is a new invention of mine, and other countries may not have it. If the salt can be sold to the countries in the East China Sea and even the South China Sea, it will definitely bring huge profits.

And now in Jiangnan and other places, spinning machines and looms have spread all over the place, greatly reducing the cost of spinning and weaving, and increasing production. In addition, in recent years, more and more businessmen have gone to sea for trade, only in Quanzhou. Last year, there were more than a thousand businessmen who went to sea last year, and only the three shipping companies in Hangzhou, Mingzhou, and Guangzhou were already in short supply! "

The most important thing is that no matter Hangzhou, Mingzhou, or Guangzhou, they are not too close to Fujian. There are many mountains and little land in Fujian, which is not suitable for farming. If you want to develop, you can only do business and trade by sea.

Emperor Jiayou was already tempted by Wang Zhong's words, "It is not a trivial matter to add a Shibo Department. I have to discuss it with you before making a decision."

"Your Majesty Shengming!"

Emperor Jiayou asked many more about Wang Zhong's experience in Quanzhou, and whether he got along well with his colleagues, and he asked Wang Zhong to leave after a while.

After coming out of the palace, Wang Zhong first went to the Ministry of Officials, Emperor Jiayou summoned him, so he still had to go to the Ministry of Officials to report on his duties.

Wang Zhong was not in a hurry to go to the Sheng's house, but first asked Yu Chuer to send his greeting card over. The next morning, Wang Zhong came to the door with the gift he had prepared.

Sheng Wei was not at home, so Changbai was the one who received Wang Zhong. After Changbai led Wang Zhong to meet the Wang family, it was also because Wang Zhong and Minglan were engaged. The aunt's mother, out of love and reason, Wang Zhong should go to pay a personal visit to pay her respects when she visits the house, otherwise, it would be really difficult for Wang Zhong to pay a visit to the Wang family as a foreigner.

After seeing Mrs. Wang, Changbai dragged Wang Zhong straight to Shou'an Hall.

"Zhong Huai and you are the front and rear legs. He returned to Tokyo within two days, and you arrived!" Chang Bai and Wang Zhong walked side by side, with smiles on their faces.

"I met Zhong Huai the day before yesterday, and we talked at night by candlelight for a long time!" Wang Chong said.

Changbai hesitated for a moment, and asked, "Zihou has seen Zhonghuai's family?"

Wang Zhongdao: "I already met yesterday evening. Sister Rong is cute and Brother Chang is obedient and cute!"

Changbai said: "That's right, Zhonghuai is in the courtyard of Tianshui Lane, just next to your house, unexpectedly Zhonghuai returned to Tokyo, and became neighbors with you!"

"This is called unpredictable!" Wang Zhong laughed.

Changbai also laughed.

Wang Zhong suddenly changed his voice and asked, "By the way, it will be Chunwei in the next year, how is Zecheng's preparations?"

Changbai stopped in his tracks, imitating Wang Zhong's appearance: "But do your best, and obey the destiny!"

"So it seems that Zecheng is holding the Pearl of Wisdom, and he is bound to win it?" Wang Zhong teased.

"Who can say what will happen in the future!" Changbai shook his head and said.

"That's right!" Wang nodded his head and said, "In the way of imperial examinations, in addition to articles, talents, and luck, mentality is also the most important thing. Why is it that you can only show your full strength by completing the homework assigned by your master on weekdays, if you are so indifferent, this time you will definitely be named on the gold list!"

"Then Chengzi's auspicious words?" Changbai looked at Wang Zhong with his hands folded.

The two looked at each other and smiled.

While speaking, the two had already entered the Shou'an Hall.

Because of Wang Zhong's visit today, both Changbai and Minglan took leave of absence, Gu Er also took leave of absence, and half of the seven students took leave of absence, Zhuang Xuexue simply let the students take a day off and went out to visit by himself. friend went.

In the Shou'an Hall, Old Madam Sheng was sitting on a soft couch, reading a scripture with a book in her hand, while Ming Lan sat beside her and practiced embroidery with a needle and thread!Hearing that Wang Zhong and Chang Bai were just outside the door, Old Madam Sheng showed a smile on her face, she glanced at Minglan first, then put down the scriptures in her hand, and asked Wang Zhong to be called in.

"Greetings to the old lady, I haven't seen you for several years, but the old lady's complexion is getting more and more rosy!" Wang Zhong smiled and greeted the old lady Sheng, his words were full of intimacy.

"Your mouth is still as sweet as before!" Mrs. Sheng glanced at Wang Zhong, but there was a smile on her face.

Wang Zhong said with a smile: "When Chong came back from Quanzhou, he passed through Youyang, just in time for the old lady's [-]th birthday, so he stayed in Youyang for a few days, and wished the old lady a birthday, and asked for a few glasses of water and wine. Eat, the old lady often mentions you!"

"How time flies, she will be sixty in a blink of an eye!" Wang Zhong mentioned the old lady, and the old lady Sheng couldn't help but sigh with emotion, and asked Wang Zhong: "How is my sister-in-law?"

Wang Zhong shook his head and said: "At the moment, I look healthy and healthy. It's just that I suffered too much when I was young, which hurt my fundamentals. In addition, I have worked hard for many years and hurt my vitality. I'm afraid it won't last for a few years!"

The old lady Sheng was stunned for a moment, and looked at Wang Zhong in disbelief: "How could this be?"

"Birth, old age, sickness and death are natural laws, which cannot be changed by manpower!" Wang Zhong didn't want to talk about these things when he finally saw Mrs. Sheng and Minglan, but the old lady's health is indeed not good, and how long she can live depends on God's will.

"In addition, the old lady is too old, her qi and blood are declining, and her internal organs are beginning to fail. This cannot be cured by medicine and stones! In addition, in recent days, she has been disturbed by secular affairs and worried, which will inevitably affect her body."

Although Chinese medicine is mysterious, it cannot revive the dead after all.

Changbai was also stunned, completely unexpected, and looked at Wang Zhong in shock.

It was Old Madam Sheng who looked at Wang Zhong and asked, "But because of that child Shulan?"

Wang nodded and said: "It is indeed because of Miss Shulan, that Sun Zhigao is only a mere scholar, but he often speaks nonsense, is defiant, and is bossy when he comes to the Sheng family, and has no respect for his uncles, aunts, and even the old lady. Don't be angry with him, Miss Shulan is not doing well in the Sun family, the old lady is worried about her granddaughter, it is inevitable..."

"Hey!" Mrs. Sheng sighed, feeling a little sentimental: "Wei'er has been shrewd for half his life, but unexpectedly, he stumbled when picking a son-in-law, and was fooled by Sun Zhigao's mother and son."

"Grandmother, you can't blame uncle and aunt for this!" Ming Lan said on the side, "Before Sun Zhigao married Sister Shulan, he was just a poor scholar, and the Sun family also relied on grandma's washing and sewing to survive. Looking at it, outsiders naturally think that Sun Zhigao is diligent, studious, talented and intelligent. His grandma has been widowed for many years and raised her young son. In the eyes of outsiders, some of her shortcomings are naturally covered up by her advantages.

It was only after marrying Sister Shulan, who received a generous dowry from Sister Shulan, and had some money in his hands, that Sun Zhigao was complacent and carried himself away, and that grandma's bitter and mean nature was revealed. "

"Sixth Sister is right!" Wang Zhong said, "But there is no need to worry now. Thinking about it, Miss Shulan should have made up with Sun Zhigao at this moment!"

"Oh?" Old Madam Sheng raised her brows slightly, and Ming Lan also looked at Wang Zhong with great interest.

Wang Zhong then told what happened at the banquet that day, and the reason why he gave advice to Sheng Wei and others that night.

"Using Zhenghe, winning by Qi, Brother Zihou even used the art of war to help Sister Shulan!" After hearing this, Minglan couldn't help but said with a smile, but the moment she said this, Sheng Sheng was provoked. The old lady glared.

Minglan didn't dare to speak, Changbai remained silent, but old lady Sheng said: "It's fine to get divorced, but Sun Zhi is arrogant, arrogant and rude, he really isn't a good match, if he can get along soon, that child Shulan can be regarded as a good match." Out of the sea of ​​misery."

"My sister-in-law suffered too much when she was young! Now..." As she spoke, she seemed to realize that she had made a slip of the tongue, and then she shook her head and said, "That's all, it's just some It's the past, don't mention it, don't mention it!"

The old lady Sheng expressed her feelings for a moment, but Minglan and Changbai couldn't help being moved when they heard it. The old lady worked hard for Shulan, so why didn't the old lady work hard for them.

What kind of person is Old Madam Sheng, just looking at the expressions of Minglan and Changbai, she guessed what they were thinking, she immediately changed the topic and asked Wang Chong, "How long does Zihou plan to stay in Beijing this time?"

"I don't know yet. I have to follow whether there are other orders from the Ministry of Officials and the officials. If there are no accidents, it's okay to leave after the year!"

Wang Zhong returned to Beijing to report on his duties. Due to the long journey, the time limit given by the court was four months. Wang Zhong set off in mid-September. Before coming here, Wang Zhong had specially greeted Chen Jun. It doesn't matter if it is a few days earlier or a few days later.

(End of this chapter)