The devil is coming

Chapter 132 Present and Future
The former Marquis of Zhenbei and then the Marquis of Jingnan ate duck at Quande Tower one after another, and they all came straight to eat as soon as they entered the city. The reputation of Quande Tower can be said to have reached its peak.
But in recent days, the business of Quande Building has seemed very deserted.
Because the ducks in Quande Building are very expensive, ordinary people cannot afford them and are not willing to eat them. Rich people have no intention of eating them these days, and may even...never be able to eat them.
"Which batch is this?"
Zheng Fan, who was sitting by the window on the second floor of Quande Building, asked.
"Back to Master Xiao Zheng, this is the fourth batch."
"Eunuch Zhang, I told you when we first met, don't call me Mr. Zheng."
"What should I call you, Xiao Fanzi or Xiao Zhengzi?"
The sixth prince happened to open the door and walked into the box. He took off the bamboo hat on his head and threw it to Eunuch Zhang beside him.
He was wearing a coarse long gown, which made him look like a poor scholar. There was a lot of mud and grass mixed with the clothes, and his knees were also earth-colored.
"What are you doing?" Zheng Fan asked.
"I went to cry at the grave. The incense earth temple I built for my mother and my grandfather was bulldozed the day before yesterday. I went there in disguise and cried for a while. Alas, I am dead of thirst."
The Sixth Prince reached out and picked up the teapot in front of him, and drank directly from the long mouth.
"Gudu Gudu..."
After drinking a steam, the Sixth Prince wiped his mouth, handed the teapot to Eunuch Zhang beside him, and said:
"Another pot of tea."
Zheng Fan immediately reminded Eunuch Zhang:
"Change the teapot."
"you dislike me?"
"nonsense."
"I'm very sad."
"Then just get hurt."
Eunuch Zhang went down with the teapot.
"Don't be too sad." Zheng Fan comforted him.
"It's okay. I've been secretly building that temple for several years, just to prepare it for my father to push it forward one day."
The Sixth Prince reached out and picked up a piece of peach cake from the basket and took a bite.
"Is that so?"
"That's it. If you think about it, if you want to punish a person, you have to take away his precious things to achieve the punishment effect. If you are greedy for money, then steal your property; if you are greedy for power, then demote your official position;
If you don't have anything, then the board will have to hit you to strain your muscles and bones. So, even if you don't have anything you like, you have to get some in order to block the board. The boss will take it to you when needed. Go', and after you're done, you have to look a little sad, so that the higher-ups will feel a sense of accomplishment in punishing you. "
"This is also possible?"
"There's nothing wrong with that. Hey, do you see it? It's down there."
Zheng Fan turned around and looked down. This was the fifth group of prisoners being escorted through this street by the imperial army.
"The servants of the Jiang family, the Minister of War, have been raided and executed. These servants have to be sent out."
"The Jiang family?"
"Well, you were transferred from Hutou City to Cuiliu Fort because of the Jiang family. His youngest son owed a lot of money from my gambling house. Although I am an idle prince, the prince's money is not good. rely."
"Is the transaction of power and money so straightforward?"
“It’s straightforwardness that makes you appear magnanimous.”
"That's the truth."
"Furthermore, the Jiang family's property in Huwei has a hilltop that is said to be a coal mine but is actually a copper mine. I have been coveting it for a long time. His family's property has been confiscated. I will have someone buy it from the inner government in a few days. "
"Have you already calculated it?"
"Yes, who told him that the Jiang family is unkind? I want to pay for it, but they won't sell it."
Zheng Fan nodded,
It happened that Eunuch Zhang came up with a refill of tea.
Zheng Fan was thinking in his heart while pouring tea:
If this was a game called "Father's Kindness and Son's Filial Piety",
In the past ten years, it was Emperor Yan who tortured Xiao Liuzi to death.
But Xiaoliuzi is also a smart person. He quickly figured out the routine and began to deliberately copy copies of this game in reverse.
"Aren't you afraid that Your Majesty will know?"
Your Majesty wants to know that you tricked him and used him as a swordsman, haha.
"My father has so many things to do, how can he have so much free time to see what my son is doing every day? He just asked casually when he thought of me, just like I ask Eunuch Zhang now:
Wei Zhonghe! "
Eunuch Zhang immediately bent down and said:
"The slave is here."
"How is Cheng Jue doing these days?"
"Replying to Your Highness, His Highness Six secretly went to the field outside the city today and knelt down crying for a long time."
"Snapped!"
The Sixth Prince clapped his hands and shrugged at Zheng Fan.
Road:
"That's it."
Zheng Fan picked up the tea cup and took a sip of tea. This is Eagle Tea. As you can tell from its name, it does not taste the best among teas, and it has nothing to do with being expensive.
But in Beijing at this time, drinking Eagle Tea fits the atmosphere.
"My father will not ask anymore. He still has a lot to do. The strategy of launching a war against the Qian Kingdom, whether to kill, demote or exile the nobles. A lot of things are weighing on my father.
As long as my father stops asking, Wei Zhonghe won't say anything anymore. Even if the secret agent in Wei Zhonghe's hands knows that I took the Jiang family's copper mountain through the inner government, he still won't say anything, oh no , I won’t take the initiative to say it.
It's not that Wei Zhonghe will be disloyal to my father, but because this is his duty as a slave. "
"Very wonderful."
Zheng Fan commented.
These are high-end players.
Of course, there is another point in this.
Zheng Fan noticed that the Sixth Prince must have done it on purpose.
After he came here, Eunuch Zhang called himself "Master Xiao Zheng", and the sixth prince used "I" in front of him instead of the previous "Gu".
Half a month ago, some news about what happened in the palace came out.
"But there's one thing I'm curious about, what do you want so much money for?"
"Cough cough cough..." The sixth prince coughed upon hearing this, pointing his finger at Zheng Fan, his face a little red.
Eunuch Zhang immediately stepped forward and patted the Sixth Prince's back.
After the Sixth Prince calmed down, he pointed at Zheng Fan and said:
"You unconscionable!"
"hiss……"
This style of painting is not right.
"Do you know how much money I have spent on you since I started sponsoring you?"
"a lot of."
Cuiliu Fort was built by the people the Sixth Prince spent his money on. The armor in the fort's warehouse and the horses raised outside were also delivered through the Sixth Prince's channels.
Many things are contraband that are difficult to obtain even if you have money.
"I'm curious. When you were in Cuiliu Castle, did you never read every letter I sent you and the letters you replied?"
"Seen."
In the tradition of Cuiliu Castle, the blind man reads the letter and the blind man replies.
"No, you definitely haven't seen it. Do you know that in addition to the visible things, how much money did I spend in the invisible places?
In the fortress system on the border of Qian Kingdom, how many internal agents did I spend on you with my money? "
"Forehead………"
Damn it, the blind man never told me.
"I know your thoughts."
The Sixth Prince glared at Zheng Fan, sat down again, and said:
"You know, although I seem to have a lot of businesses and properties, I actually don't have much money on hand."
"Does money make money?"
Zheng Fan had never done business in his previous life, and the comic studio was not a serious business. He could only guess that the money earned by the Sixth Prince from doing business was invested in the expansion and upgrading of the industry.
"Take the Jiang family's coal mine as an example. It's true that I took over a coal mine from the inner government, but before that, I sent a batch of coal to the Yinlang County garrison at half the market price, which was a complete loss."
"Oh, it's not easy."
It is true that you make a lot of money, but you have paid a lot of protection fees. Who told you to have such a father?
"The most irritating thing is that I clearly know what the court is going to do next, but I can't bear to do anything to the land and food!"
Zheng Fan reached out and took an orange from the fruit plate and peeled it;
In my heart, I was actually very aware of the sixth prince's frustration.
When doing business, you have to look at the direction of the wind and follow the policies. If you can predict or receive news in advance, basically...
The Sixth Prince had long seen the adultery between his father and the Marquis of Zhenbei.
also clear,
This is a play, a play performed for the members of the Yan clan.
But he could not rely on his political acumen to pave the way for his business. At this moment, the Zhenbei Army's cavalry was wreaking havoc on Dayan Clan, with the butcher knife raised and blood flowing like a river.
These sects, those with a heritage of less than a hundred years, are too embarrassed to go out to say hello. They are basically giant leeks that are hundreds of years old. These leeks are almost so fat that they have become entangled in the roots of old trees.
With one blow, the land, grain, antiques, gold and silver, etc. will all be squeezed out. Emperor Yan will naturally take the lion's share, but the impact of this move alone is huge. If a large trading company can make preparations in advance If so, if this wave continues, he can follow the imperial court and make a fortune.
But the Sixth Prince couldn't do this.
There are mountains of gold and silver right in front of you, like the girl at the door of the red curtain ogling you and shouting: Master, come in and play.
But you still have to imitate that old scholar who hunched over and ran away while chanting "See no evil, see no evil".
"Making money is just to kill boredom. If you don't sit in that position, the more you earn, the less you earn, it will be an advantage to your brother, and maybe your brother."
The Sixth Prince rolled his eyes at Zheng Fan and said:
"You don't even want to spare my younger brother, who is still underage?"
"Instinct, instinct."
"It's not that I'm reluctant to part with the money, I'm just anxious. I used to always think about the steady flow of money, a little surplus, and managing relationships to avoid disaster in the future.
But when it comes to using money, I realize that this money mill is really hard on my hands. "
"I'll get some good things tomorrow, you can sell them for money."
"It's natural. If it weren't for your soap and perfume business, I would really have lost my money. But it's better down there. It's not convenient to make money in Yan country, but it's much easier to make money in Qian country."
Zheng Fan suddenly remembered the empire on which the sun never set back then. He also had a foreign gun and money, fighting wars and opening companies to make money at the same time.
The cooperation between myself and Xiao Liuzi really feels that way.
Yes, the most profitable business in this world will always be robbed of him!
"Hey, I heard that it seems that the Marquis of Zhenbei also appreciates you."
"Then have you heard what conditions Zhenbei Hou gave me?"
The sixth prince shook his head.
Naturally, it was impossible for this matter to be spread, because there were only four people present, including Zheng Fan.
Qingshuang looks like an adopted son to the Marquis of Zhenbei, but his true identity is that he is one of the seven general soldiers of the Marquis of Zhenbei.
Plus a Marquis of Zhenbei and a Marquis of Jingnan,
If even the words spoken at that time were passed on,
Then there is only one possibility,
That was the news that Zheng Fan had let out in order to promote himself.
But obviously, Zheng Fan won't be that boring.
"The Marquis of Zhenbei said that I am from Beifeng County and should join the Zhenbei Army. He is willing to promote me to a staff general and allocate a thousand Zhenbei Army cavalry to me."
"Where is the Marquis of Jingnan?"
"Yinlang County Cuiliu Castle garrison."
The Sixth Prince nodded and said:
"You made the right choice, it's better to be on the defensive."
"Yeah, I think so too."
If this news gets out, others will definitely think that Zheng Fan is stupid.
But only the little silver coin understands the thoughts of another little silver coin.
"Zhenbei Hou Mansion, six towns, 30 Zhenbei Army, seven general soldiers, alas, the system is strict. After you enter, to be honest, you have to continue to be a grandson, and you have to be ranked according to seniority, no matter how many contributions you have made. , you have to move step by step, but the higher you go, the harder it becomes."
Zheng Fan nodded.
Seven generals, six with the surname "Li", unless Zheng Fan shamelessly changed his name to "Li Fan";
But the appearance was too ugly and a bit embarrassing.
At the same time, there is also the mysterious young prince.
Joining the Zhenbei Army is like entering a strict new system. The amount of support you get from this group also means how deeply you are bound to this group.
"Guard of Cuiliu Fort, oh, my uncle is really optimistic about you, hehe."
Cuiliu Fort is garrisoned, and the official position has not been changed, nor has it been said how many Jingnan troops will be allocated to you.
It seems very stingy, but what is revealed inside is a great sense of laissez-faire.
There's going to be a war soon,
If you want to develop, grow stronger, need people, soldiers, power, and status, go fight for it yourself, go grab it yourself!
Just like the small Juntou Wubao in Beifeng County, how fat you can eat depends on your own ability.
Marquis Jingnan did not force Zheng Fan to join his system, but gave Zheng Fan a chance. If you are really ambitious and willing, then create a new warlord yourself.
The national war is about to begin, and the generals are shining brightly. Some people fall and others rise again. In addition to the Zhenbei Army and the Jingnan Army, it is impossible to say that a new army will rise.
In the past, when defending the country, the two princes from the north and the south were enough, but then it was not enough.
"My uncle has returned to Yinlang County for a while, how long are you going to delay?"
"I'll leave tomorrow."
Zheng Fan was left behind to collect the body for the Tian family.
There are really not enough coffins in the capital, and the people in Yizhuang have been busy for a long time.
In the capital city alone, countless people have been killed. It is estimated that more people will die outside the capital city where the real power of the clan is entrenched.
To be honest, Zheng Fan really wasn't worried that such a large-scale purge would collapse the country. Emperor Yan would have been prepared if he dared to launch it, such as the reserve officials who would replace those officials who were purged. The resistance has gained momentum, and among the sects, there are those who are classified as exterminators and prisoners. At the same time, some people who have always been close to the royal family and are willing to take the initiative to bow their heads and cut their own wings can still be promoted and reused.
Turmoil is inevitable.
But unless Dayan suffered a complete defeat in the war against Qian, the Yan court would still be as stable as a mountain.
There is a saying in later generations: Don’t think you are too important. The earth will turn the same without anyone else.
The noble families indeed control all aspects of the Yan State, but the Yan State's army is firmly in the hands of the three giants, and the noble families are really unable to make waves.
It is the destruction of the system and the operation of the court. At most, there will be some problems in a short period of time, but they will not be a problem soon.
Three-legged toads are hard to find, but the streets are full of two-legged people who want to be officials.
In the historical time and space that Zheng Fan was familiar with, there were many examples of people being able to invade the Central Plains and establish dynasties with a population of just a few hundred thousand people. So how did they manage to do so?
What shakes the foundation of the country, corrupts its foundation, and governs a big country is like cooking a small dish? It was just because the emperor and those in power at that time wanted to repair the chair while they themselves had to sit on the chair, so they were cautious.
But on the side of Yan State, the three giants stood together.
Zheng Fan thought of Qin Shihuang. After Qin Shihuang destroyed the six kingdoms, he did not take a break and continued to make troubles. He burned books and harassed Confucian scholars one by one. This was quite willful.
But as long as Zulong reigns for one day, those ambitious guys and the remnants of the Six Nations will not dare to make mistakes. The power of Zulong can make all changes despair.
Just like the Emperor of Yan, the Marquis of Zhenbei, and the Marquis of Jingnan, when they stand together, all the opposition forces in Dayan are just paper tigers.
But when Zulong died...
"What are you thinking about?" Xiao Liuzi asked.
"When I think about going back tomorrow and not seeing you for a long time, I feel a little uncomfortable."
"..." The sixth prince.
"But it's good. Soldiers should fight against soldiers."
Zheng Fan was tired of continuing to be a knife to kill family members, and it was not in line with his aesthetics. This was the only hypocritical thing he had left in this world.
"Actually, I envy you too. When you return to Cuiliu Castle, you will be free."
"Don't be envious. What if we get off to a bad start and are eaten directly by the army? Don't think that fighting is an easy thing."
"This, according to the word you said before, is it called anti-milk?"
"You're so good, you still remember what I said."
"Milk, this word, I feel more and more charming. These days, I often think about it again and again, and I find that there is a lot of truth in it."
"Dirty."
The Sixth Prince pointed at the gloomy sky outside the window.
He coughed a few more times,
Apparently I went out to do a crying scene today and got a little cold.
Of course, only the Sixth Prince himself knew how much of it was acting and how much of it was true feelings.
He said it very freely, but in his heart, facing the bulldozed Earth Temple on the ridge of the field, could he be very happy?
"Zheng Fan." The sixth prince raised his teacup and continued:
"What they have is now."
Zheng Fan picked up the teacup and clinked it with the Sixth Prince. He thought to himself that the Sixth Prince had begun to produce golden sentences after staying with him for a long time, so he added the next sentence:
"What we have is the future."
(End of this chapter)