Ma Erniang's Splendid Pastoral

Chapter 204 Resignation
Shan Xiaodan saluted and replied, "It's your grandfather Ma."

Ma Min'er and Xia Zhen looked at each other, "Then let's move quickly."

"Ah."

It is indeed impolite to make elders wait, Ma Min'er thought it must be because of Sanbo's IOU issue, this incident has caused such a big commotion, it is indeed enough for an elder to come to the door in person.

Shan Xiaodan backed out gently.The girl Pinmei neatly helped Ma Min'er comb her hair, and quickly retreated.

The prince and his wife don't like girls serving in the room. As long as they are around, the girls usually don't come in. The couple have enough private space.

In the main hall of the front yard, Ma Qifeng was sitting quietly with his father. Since the third brother's incident was too violent, he didn't know what to say to comfort his father. It would be inappropriate to talk about other irrelevant things. Can be silent.

The tea cup was placed by Ma Chengzu's hand, but he didn't touch it. He sat upright, looking straight ahead, with a serious expression that made people dare not approach it casually.

Ma Qifeng looked down at his feet. During the quiet time, he unknowingly remembered what happened when he was a child. At that time, it was rare for him to see his father. He could only see him during Chinese New Year and festivals. At the end of the crowd, he also saw such an unapproachable father. Thinking about it now, how much he longed for his father to reach out and touch his head, or to be scolded by his father like other children, but no matter what , seems to be a luxury.

Father, how far away from yourself!Ma Qifeng sighed secretly, more and more unsure how to speak to break the silence. Fortunately, the young couple Xia Zhen entered the main hall and saluted when they saw Ma Chengzu: "Grandfather——"

"My lord—"

Ma Chengzu raised his eyelids, "Come early in the morning, excuse me."

"Grandpa, you're being polite." Ma Min'er smiled slightly, "Have you had breakfast yet?"

"I've come to tell you something."

Ma Min'er was a little embarrassed because he didn't get a response from politeness, but who made him an elder, so he kept smiling: "Grandpa, what do you want to tell us?"

Ma Chengzu stood up from his chair and took two steps.

Ma Qifeng had already stood beside his daughter, and the already serious father became even more serious. Could it be that he was not satisfied with Min'er's way of solving the matter?
Ma Min'er thought the same way in her heart, could it be that she couldn't help her?
Xia Zhen's eyes seemed calm, but the fierce wind was hidden in the corner of his eyes. He couldn't see others disrespecting his little daughter-in-law, even if this person was her grandfather.

Just when the atmosphere in the main hall became very delicate, Ma Chengzu said, "I am going to submit my resignation."

"Father—" Ma Qifeng was startled.

Ma Min'er and Xia Zhen looked at each other, and then looked at him again. His resignation was both unexpected and reasonable. When he was in the hands of the old emperor, he had already been stripped of the center of power. Whether it is ambition or fist, it is difficult for him to have the opportunity to display it.

Ma Chengzu looked at his granddaughter and grandson-in-law. They were only slightly surprised, as if they didn't have much thought about the decision he made.

"Then what about Yihui?" Seeing that his daughter and son-in-law were silent, Ma Qifeng could only ask.

"he……"

"Yes, father, he is all your hope!" Ma Qifeng said eagerly. He didn't know why he was so eager. Maybe he knew that the future of the Ma family never rested on the sons and daughters of the Ma family, but on the direct descendants. .

The upright and upright Ma Chengzu seldom showed his emotions, and sighed: "When I go out, I'm going to take him with me."

"Go out?" Ma Qifeng was anxious again, "Father, where are you going?"

Ma Chengzu raised his eyes lightly, "Go and see the beautiful Jiangnan, the deserted north, and places I have never seen before."

Ma Min'er said: "Grandfather, you are in your early sixties. People say seventy is rare in ancient times. Your age is not suitable for traveling."

Ma Chengzu shook his head: "I have already made a decision. At the beginning of February next year, I will walk south along the capital until I reach the Jiangxi border."

"Grandfather, Jiangxi is three thousand miles away from here. Is your body able to take it?"

"I'm not in a hurry, I just stop and go until I want to come back."

"Father—" Ma Qifeng looked at him helplessly, but he was powerless to persuade him to change his mind, "Min'er, persuade grandpa."

Ma Min'er looked at Ma Chengzu who wanted to travel, and really didn't know how to persuade him.

"Don't persuade me, I've made up my mind."

"What if Cousin Hui doesn't go out with you?" Ma Min'er asked.

"..." Ma Chengzu didn't think about this issue at all. In his mind, as long as he speaks, the eldest grandson will definitely listen to him.

"Grandfather..." Ma Min'er said, "Next year will be the year of the big brother's scientific examination, are you sure..."

Ma Chengzu was silent for a while, and said: "I know that next year's scientific examination, I want your cousin to give up."

"Father..." Ma Qifeng was extremely surprised. For his father to come, the scientific examination is the most sacred thing in his heart, so why would he not allow his eldest grandson to participate.

Ma Min'er shook her head: "Grandfather, forgive my granddaughter for saying something offensive, if you made such a decision without asking Brother Hui, it would be very unfair to Cousin Hui."

"He is my grandson, and I have taught him to such an age, how could he not listen to me." Ma Chengzu said sternly.

Ma Min'er shook her head again: "Grandfather, you are strict when you should be strict, and you are still strict when you shouldn't be strict. Do you know what the result of your actions will be?"

Ma Chengzu narrowed his eyes sternly.

"The result is that third uncle was a well-behaved and obedient child when he was a child, and he liked you everywhere. When he was a teenager, he was still a good and obedient child in front of you, but when he was not in front of you, he behaved badly everywhere, eating, drinking and having fun. It comes at your fingertips, and you don't realize until you need him to get a name in the exam and get ahead, your son is already a pile of weeds inside."

"Is this what you, a little lady, should say?" Ma Chengzu's eyes showed pain, but his heart felt as if someone had hit him hard, and his hard heart instantly became riddled with holes.

"Then what I said is the truth?" Ma Min'er was not afraid, and looked at him, "He will be deceived so miserably today, grandpa wouldn't think it was because of his incompetence!" As a junior, she couldn't say anything, she had to stop in moderation.

The corner of Ma Chengzu's mouth twitched slightly, but he didn't say anything, he lifted his feet out of the main hall, and went back on his own.

"Father...Father..." Ma Qifeng looked at his daughter, then at his son-in-law, and chased his father out.

Xia Zhen took the main seat and did not go out to see off the guests.

Ma Min'er scratched the corner of her mouth, and smiled at Ma Dalang at the door, "Brother, haven't you gone to the government office yet?"

"Wait for you to have breakfast." Ma Dalang said: "However, you go first, I will take Sanlang to see off grandfather." After speaking, he took Ma Sanlang's hand and followed out of the yard.

Ma Min'er spread her hands, "People don't always like to hear the truth, they don't want to face the reality."

"Let's go, let's go to the restaurant first, father and the others will be there in a while." Xia Zhen stood up.

"I'd better go see it off." Ma Min'er sighed.

Xia Zhen stared at the little daughter-in-law.

"He's an elder." Ma Min'er took his hand and went out of the courtyard. When he reached the door, Ma Chengzu had already got into the carriage. When he saw them coming to the door, he put down the curtain of the carriage and let the servant drive away.

Ma Qifeng worriedly watched the carriage leave without moving.

"Father, let's go back."

The carriage disappeared around the corner, and Ma Qifeng looked away, "Min'er, this afternoon, I want to go to your grandfather's place."

"Father is worried about him traveling around the world?"

"Yeah, I'm already old, how can I bear it?"

"Father, it's useless for you to worry. Grandpa has his own ideas. Unless he figured it out himself, it's useless for anyone to persuade him."

"Just... Just now, were your words a little heavy?"

"some!"

Ma Qifeng sighed: "Then you still talk."

Ma Min said: "Father, I don't have any objections if I let eldest brother and grandfather go on a cloud tour, but I don't think cousin Hui will go with grandfather."

"Ah..." Ma Qifeng looked at his daughter in surprise, "How do you know?"

"I don't know how, but I just feel that he has a lot of career ambitions and won't spend time traveling with his grandfather."

"Then... what should we do then?"

Ma Min'er comforted: "Father, don't worry, maybe after a while, grandfather will figure it out by himself."

"I hope he can figure it out." Ma Qifeng was always worried.

Seeing a bunch of grandparents and uncles standing in front of him, Emperor Yuantai didn't have a headache. Ever since he decided to let Xia Zhen go yesterday, he knew that there was such a move.

"The Great Emperor's nephew, the lawless Xia, has already stared at the faces of our Liu family, how can you let him go?" Old Lord Huo burst into tears and snot when he came up.

"Nephew, great emperor's grandson, why don't you arrest him and punish him?"

"You can't let him ignore our Liu family just because he has the merits of being a dragon..."

……

He was talking nonsense, and Emperor Yuantai's head was about to explode. "Then, from the perspective of the emperor's uncles, how should the crime of the surname Xia be punished?"

"He connived his wife to smash our restaurant, arrest him, and punish him for disrespecting the royal family."

Emperor Yuantai smiled coldly: "Uncle Huang, what do you think this is?" He picked up the folder on the table and looked at the crowd: "This is the pleading paper that Xia Zian handed to Jingzhao Mansion."

"We didn't punish him, but he was the one who sued first."

"It's true that the villain sued first, but don't you have too many mistakes and are too blatant?"

"Holy... Your Majesty... what do you mean?" Old Huo Wang didn't want to speak, but he was the oldest among these people so he had to speak. In fact, when the emperor spoke, they knew that something was wrong. Thinking of Xia being so ruthless, he actually hit them seven inches above.

Emperor Yuantai looked at the uncles and uncles who had just asked the teacher to ask the crime, and now they are all deflated, and their hearts are like lights - very brightly: "Why don't you ask what is written in this book?"

"What did the person surnamed Xia write?" Old King Jing asked with a guilty conscience.

The emperor lowered his eyes, "The first article tells you to lie to people for dinner..." After finishing speaking, he raised his eyelids and looked at everyone, "Do you recognize this?"

Several old princes looked at each other and then lowered their heads, not lying, can someone smash the lobby?

"The second article accuses you of fraud..."

"Your Majesty, what is the difference between the second article and the first article?" Old King Huai asked in confusion.

"A plate of bean sprouts with 20 renminbi sells for 50 taels, a plate of cabbage with 100 renminbi sells for [-] taels, and a pot of sake with one tael sells for [-] taels..."

Lord Huo couldn't help but say: "My lord, isn't that the restaurant that sells it like this?"

"So what Xia Zi'an said in the pleadings is true?" Emperor Yuan Tai suddenly raised his eyes, and his eyes suddenly became bright.

"Holy... Your Majesty..." For some reason, Lord Huo took a step back in fright, "You..."

Emperor Yuantai stood up from the dragon case, "Since the profit is so large, the government can't collect taxes. It is said that nine out of ten shops do not pay, and only one pays taxes. I heard that this one is an ordinary business. Without any context."

"Holy... Your Majesty..." All the old princes fell to their knees in fright.

Emperor Yuantai stood in front of them, condescending, and looked at them coldly, "This is the clan, enjoying the best treatment, but not paying a penny for the treasury."

"Holy... Your Majesty, we also have difficulties!"

"What's the matter, let me hear it."

"My lord, the family is big and the business is big, and there are expenses everywhere. It's really not enough money!"

"Really?" Emperor Yuan Tai turned around leisurely, "Do you want me to find someone to search your family fortune?"

"My lord, can't you do this?"

"Then what do you think I should do?" Emperor Yuantai turned his head to look at these old clans.

"Holy...Holy Majesty..." Everyone bowed their heads in fright at Shangyuan Taidisen's cold and angry eyes.

Taking advantage of the emperor's training, Fang Yuyuan let the people around him stay in the imperial study, and returned to the place where he lived. As soon as he entered the door, his subordinates immediately followed into the room.

"How is it over there?"

"Back to father-in-law, Liu Dezi tried the people separately, I'm afraid someone will be unable to stand up."

"Can't stand it anymore?" Fang Yuyuan sighed leisurely, "Then let Feng Yin take the blame."

"Elder-in-law..." The person involved was shocked, "Feng Yin is the one you like the most, you..."

"Huanxin?" Fang Yuyuan sighed, "If you want to blame it, blame him for his bad luck!" Thinking of the situation in the imperial study just now, he knew that his seat would be difficult to secure if he didn't sacrifice a respectable little father-in-law.

"Eunuch..."

"Go ahead, tell them what I mean, and tell Feng Yin that I will take care of his whole family by sacrificing one of them."

The person responsible for the matter paused, "Yes, father-in-law, the little one will do it."

"Ah."

-

Just as Ma Chengzu was sent away and had breakfast, just as he lost his job, Feng Jiangyi came, "Master, have you had breakfast yet?"

"I ate at Maoshichu (5 o'clock in the morning), but now I'm hungry again. Is there any? I'll have another meal."

"Master Jiang, you were not like this when you were in Yunshui?" Ma Miner asked with a smile.

"Haha, since I entered the capital, I have to go to court in the morning, so I have developed the habit of eating two breakfasts, one at Maoshichu (5 o'clock in the morning) and one at Chenshizheng (8 o'clock in the morning). As I get older, I eat more. Eat less."

Ma Miner smiled, "Let's go, I'll take you to the restaurant."

"What's delicious?"

"I'll bring you a bowl of simple little chaos!"

"Okay, okay!" Feng Jiangyi smiled and said to the other companions: "What should you do, Er Niang just stay with me."

Hearing this, Ma Dalang cupped his hands, "Then the student is going to the yamen."

"Go, go." Feng Jiangyi waved his hand.

Xia Zhen also raised her hand, "I'm going to the study."

"Go to work, go to work..." Feng Jiangyi continued to wave his hands and laughed.

Xia Zhen glanced at the young daughter-in-law, only to see that she grinned at her and left knowingly.

Ma Qifeng also left with the children, leaving only Master Jiang and Ma Min'er, "Master, do you need me?"

"It's okay, just come to your house for breakfast."

The eyebrows moved again and again, how could this lie to a three-year-old child?Ma Miner smiled, "Let's go."

As a result, the restaurant was too deserted, so Feng Jiangyi sat next to the stove in the small kitchen, and a small table where the chefs put sundries.

The cook and the odd jobs didn't dare to move when they saw the princess sitting here with the big man.

"Except for Aunt Shi staying behind, the rest will go to the big kitchen first to work."

"Yes, Young Madam." Everyone left one after another, Shi Qiuju hurried to set fire behind the stove, Ma Min'er mixed the chaotic soup, and after a while, the chaotic soup was served on the table.

"Master Jiang, please—"

"Sit and sit."

Ma Min'er said to Shi Qiuju, "I've put half a pot of water in the pot, and I've kept the fire in the stove."

"Yes, young lady, that's all right, I'll go out first."

"kindness."

There are only one old and one young in the warm little kitchen.Ma Min'er sat on the small stool behind the stove, stretching her hands in the stove to keep warm.

"Second mother, why don't you speak?"

"You are eating, I will not disturb you."

"It's okay, let's chat while eating." Jiang Fuzi said with a smile.

"It's not very good to eat and talk."

"I remember when I lived in Yunshui, you were not like this."

"But this is the capital city, so you have to pay attention to the rules everywhere." Ma Min'er pursed her lips.

"Haha..." Feng Jiangyi laughed loudly.

Ma Min'er quickly ran out from behind the stove, "Master, don't laugh while eating, be careful of choking on the food, it's dangerous."

Feng Jiangyi was still laughing, "You stinky girl, you smashed and hit me, and you still told me the rules, I... really convinced you."

Ma Min'er casually took a small stool and sat down beside him, "Master, can you blame me? 20 taels, how can my grandfather have so much money? It's clear that it's aimed at me and Xia Zhen, don't take them His head was shrunk back into his stomach, can he still calm down in the days to come?"

After laughing, Jiang Fuzi ate the chaos in the bowl in two or three bites, "We can't waste food for those greedy guys."

Ma Min'er sat quietly, watching Master Jiang finish eating a bowl of chaos.

Feng Jiangyi took out a handkerchief from his sleeve and wiped his mouth, then stuffed it back into his sleeve, "What if no one picks up the opportunity you throw?"

"That has nothing to do with me, as long as the emperor doesn't arrest me."

"You...you..." Feng Jiangyi shook his head: "If you want the emperor not to catch you, then someone has to catch the opportunity you throw, so don't give me a hard time."

"Hee hee..." Ma Min'er grinned, "I knew Master, you are for the country and the people, and you will definitely seize this opportunity."

"Hmph!" Feng Jiangyi said, "I seized the opportunity, but I don't know how to do it."

"Impossible." Ma Miner immediately retorted, "You have at least two ways to attack."

"Then tell me, which way should I go?"

"Courtesy first, introduction later!"

"Uh, I've only heard of 'respect before soldiers'." And this method is indeed Feng Jiangyi, after thinking all night last night, he decided to treat these aristocrats with courtesy first and let them pay back the tax. If you don't pay within the prescribed time limit, then don't blame him for being rude, and the army will be mobilized.

Ma Min'er smiled: "I didn't speak idioms."

"You stinky girl." Feng Jiangyi said, "You know that I am bound by laws and taxes, but why don't you hurry up and send your little wit up here."

"Haha..." Now it was Ma Min'er's turn to laugh.

Master Jiang puffed up his mouth like a child, "I don't care, you plan on me taking over, you have to let me work hard."

"Master Jiang, you are an old emperor teacher of three or four dynasties. Didn't you know me, Ma Erniang, before you flew to the position of grand teacher?"

Master Jiang continued to pout: "I'm old, I don't want to use my brain, I don't want to toss about. Someone already has a method, so why don't I use it."

"Hee hee, admitting that I'm lazy, I love to hear that." Ma Min'er said cheerfully.

"Smelly girl, tell me your method quickly."

"Ask Xia Zhen."

Feng Jiangyi didn't fall for her tricks: "Bah, bah, he's a dumbass, what does he know, you came up with the idea, hurry up and say it."

"Master Jiang..." Now it was Ma Min'er's turn to pout, how could she speak so badly of herself?

"Stinky girl, believe it or not, I'll beat you up." Mrs. Jiang stared.

"Who told you to call me bad."

Feng Jiangyi grinned: "This bad is commendatory bad."

"Haha..." Ma Min'er couldn't help being amused by the old man again.

"Say it quickly..."

"Oh." Ma Min'er stopped laughing, "Master, I, after all, have the vision of a small businessman, and I just have some ideas. You can rub these ideas into your thinking, use them if you can, and use them if you can't." It works fine too.”

"Let's talk, why are there so many nonsense?"

"it is good."

……

The merchants in the capital did not expect that the tax reform of the Great Wei Dynasty would start in a small kitchen in the Beijun Palace.

Feng Jiangyi walked out of the small kitchen satisfied, and said with a smile, "Er Niang, it would be great if you were a kid."

"Master, I am almost like a kid."

"The boy can be an official, can you?"

"Hee hee, even if I'm a kid, I'm still like this. My knowledge is all slowly figured out in the business. It's just for the benefit of many businessmen in the world. Being a kid doesn't necessarily mean business, and why can't I do business?" How about such a suggestion, don't you think so, Master?"

Master Jiang shook his head, "Don't fool me, I don't believe it."

"If you don't believe me, then I can't help it." Ma Miner asked, "It will be noon soon, do you want to have lunch before leaving?"

"No, I made an appointment with some officials from the Ministry of Household Affairs, Mr. Wei, the Governor of the Household, and worked out with them how to raise the business taxes."

Ma Min'er nodded, "I'll call Xia Zhen." She meant to send him off together.

Feng Jiangyi waved his hand, "Farewell, you don't want to give it away either, I'm going back."

"Don't send Xia Zhen off, then I'll take you to the door." Ma Miner sent him to the door, and when he was about to get on the horse, she suddenly stepped forward, "Master..."

"What's the matter?" Seeing that she was serious, Feng Jiangyi asked, "Are you worried about the Holy One?"

Ma Miner shook her head: "No, I want to tell you that my grandfather is going to resign."

Feng Jiangyi was stunned for a moment, "Do you want me to persuade him?"

"I guess I can't persuade you."

Feng Jiangyi said: "Your grandfather... well, if there is a suitable opportunity, I will persuade him."

"Thank you, Master."

Feng Jiangyi waved his hand, "Go in, I'm going back!"

-

When Ma Chengzu returned to the mansion, Mrs. Ma saw him go out early in the morning and came back before lunch time, "Where did you go?"

"Didn't go there." He went back to the study with his hands behind his back.

"..." Mrs. Ma looked at his back, feeling a little worried. As for what she was worried about, she couldn't tell. Just as she was about to leave the yard, she heard him call again: "Where's Yihui?"

(End of this chapter)