Myths and Dharma, starting from Erlang Shen

Chapter 168 Killing the Crazy Zhang Jingshou
  "Bo Yi, how did you discover this method of cultivation?"

Entering Ji Ren's pig breeding base and inspecting these plump and round Yunzhan white pigs, Emperor Qi was filled with joy. Although he was not worried that Zhuge Qinglan would lie to him, he heard that he never saw them with his own eyes. It must be shocking.

These pigs are all treasures.

Even the name Ji Ren was changed, and he was directly called Ji Ren with a word that he had almost forgotten.

"Listen more, see more, discover more. Unite knowledge with action, then read ancient books, and keep experimenting." Ji Rendao.

"It makes sense. Wang Yangming of the Ming Dynasty has an excellent combination of knowledge and action. What Daqi needs is not a group of nerds who can only read books about sages, but talents who can manage the world. If the Ming Dynasty could have half of what you have, I would I'm relieved." Emperor Qi smiled.

"Father, my son is also very hard-working. I am brave enough to practice and definitely not a nerd." Zhang Jingshou listened to the side and retorted with dissatisfaction.

Calling me a nerd is insulting.

"Those who only read sages' books are bookworms, but those who don't read are fools." Emperor Qi glared at Zhang Jingshou with dissatisfaction. He usually didn't like it, but now that he was standing with Ji Ren, it was even more unpleasant.

It is said that those who are close to vermilion are red, and those who are close to ink are black.

Following Ji Ren, I didn't see you learning well.

Zhang Jingshou stared and wanted to argue, but Ji Ren stopped him and glanced at him, "Customer, this is a customer."

Zhang Jingshou stopped when he saw this. Yes, customers, making money is important.

When Emperor Qi saw this scene, he was secretly surprised that Ji Ren could persuade Zhang Jingshou, but he did not go into details. He continued to look at the fat pigs around him and sighed: "If everyone was like Boyi, how prosperous our country would be." ah."

"What your Majesty said is true. I heard before that Viscount Ji was the unicorn gifted to me by God, but I still didn't believe it. Today, I saw that instead of being praised, it was downgraded. Viscount Ji is indifferent to fame and fortune, and he is devoted to the public. He can be called our Daqi." A role model for the younger generation." Xun Ling also praised him, which aroused everyone's surprise. It is not easy to be praised by the Xun family.

Only Zhuge Qinglan chuckled and said nothing. This was because he wanted to use words to set up his junior brother so that he could negotiate the price later. After all, you can be regarded as a role model for the younger generation of Daqi. You are still indifferent to fame and fortune. Are you embarrassed to bargain?

This kind of operation is enough to deal with ordinary young people who want to show off their reputation, but it's a pity that my junior brother doesn't care about his reputation.

"Sir, I'm so complimentary. I just did my duty. It's all what I should do," Ji Ren said.

"Young people have achieved such achievements and can be so calm. They are worthy of being a talent valued by His Majesty. As honest as water, if you have merit, I will definitely recommend that you be named Qingyongbo. You don't care about money, you are honest and brave." Xun Ling added. road.

"It doesn't matter in the future. If Boyi has made great contributions to the country this time, he can be named Qing Yongbo, with a reward of a thousand taels and a hundred acres of fertile land."

Hearing Xun Ling's praise, Emperor Qi was confused at first. He had clearly mentioned Fen Yongbo before, but he had already had a tacit understanding with Xun Ling for many years. With a quick thought, he quickly understood Xun Ling's thoughts and immediately praised him.

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Ji Ren didn't expect that he would receive a reward for raising pigs and be promoted to a noble title, reaching the level of his grandfather. He thanked him immediately.

"No courtesy." Emperor Qi waved his hand gently, "Bo Yi deserves all of this. Since thirty-six years ago, there have been many turmoils in various parts of our country, Qi. Neighboring countries have taken advantage of the situation to plunder, and the culprits within have not been eliminated, and evil disasters have become more frequent." Outbreaks occur frequently and the people are poor. This year, there was a problem with transportation along the Yangtze River, which caused the price of monster meat to skyrocket. To be honest, the national treasury has been unable to make ends meet. All the officials advised me to collect taxes, but the people are suffering. How can I bear it? Fortunately, I have discipline. Sir, Ji Qing's appearance directly solved this urgent need."

"Your Majesty is concerned about the country and the people, and the wise kings of ancient times cannot match it." Ji Ren flattered him in cooperation.

"It's just fulfilling the duty of a king." Emperor Qi sighed, and then said, "Bo Yi, I have decided that the Ministry of War will collect your pork for food. I happen to be here today, so I will set a price. , one tael of silver and two pounds of Yunzhan white pork, what do you think?"

"Not at all? Father, you are buying and selling by force and bullying honest people."

Emperor Qi had just finished speaking, but before Ji Ren could answer, he heard Zhang Jingshou's strange voice.

Are you kidding? This is monster meat, not ordinary pork.

Take Biyanyun Sheep as an example. In previous years, one tael of silver could only buy less than a pound of Biyanyun mutton. But now the price of Biyanyun mutton has increased, and it costs almost three taels of silver per pound of meat. Now you can buy only one tael. Two pounds of meat, are you buying meat? You are cutting my flesh off Zhang Jingshou!

"I am discussing matters with Boyi, please stop interrupting." Emperor Qi glanced at Zhang Jingshou displeased, I am here to serve the country and the people, what kind of trouble are you causing to me?

Pigs are cheaper than sheep, and pork is more abundant than mutton. If you count the past years, you are still making money, and the money is flowing steadily, you know?

"What are you discussing? This pork belongs to our Tongfu Chamber of Commerce. Major issues of the Tongfu Chamber of Commerce need to be voted on. And I am the largest shareholder of the Tongfu Chamber of Commerce. Like Lao Ji's shares, we need to agree on this price together. , otherwise, we won’t sell it.” Zhang Jingshou looked at Emperor Qi head-on and said.

"Bastard, do you still think of me as your father-in-law?"

Emperor Qi never expected that Zhang Jingshou would jump out to stop him and said immediately.

"Father, are you talking to me as the father now? If so, I will follow my father back to the palace and let my father beat me and scold me, but in this case, don't talk about pork. If you want to buy or sell, Then let's talk business, don't separate public from private, and use power for personal gain." Zhang Jingshou frowned, not at all afraid.

After hearing this, Emperor Qi became even more angry, but in full view of the crowd, he could not take action. He just looked at Ji Ren and said, "Bo Yi, do you think so too?"

"Your Majesty, there are no rules and there are no rules. Even though the Chamber of Commerce is small, it has rules. I cannot make the decision alone. Otherwise, the Chamber of Commerce will not last long. His Highness Prince Ming is indeed the major shareholder and he has the right to speak." Ji Ren said.

Don't try to open a gap from my side, it's useless.

"Your Highness, the price given by Your Majesty is a fair price. Although it will reduce your profits, the profits will last for a long time. The so-called small profits but quick turnover is the principle. Doing business must be long-lasting. And Your Highness, you are the royal family of Daqi. Eat The cost of clothing is all taxes levied by the people of Daqi, and it is not appropriate to be so heavy on profits now."

Zhang Zheng, the minister of household affairs, and Zhang Jingshou's uncle saw the awkward atmosphere and immediately spoke to ease the conflict. At the same time, they winked at Zhang Jingshou and said, "Don't make it difficult for your father."

"Uncle. The so-called uncle-nephew family is related. Now the Chamber of Commerce wants to do business with the imperial court. The two of us need to avoid taboos. Uncle, it is better not to talk to me, lest others think you are enriching your own pockets. We need to avoid suspicion."

However, Zhang Zheng obviously underestimated Zhang Jingshou.

After hearing Zhang Zheng's words, Zhang Jingshou said confidently.

Go aside.

Don't force me to shave my head during the first month of the year.

Zhang's face was twitching, but there was nothing he could do about Zhang Jingshou, because indeed uncles and nephews wanted to avoid suspicion.

But there is a dear friend here.

Moreover, there seem to be a lot of people in this chamber of commerce. If everyone avoids suspicion, the court meeting will not even be held. Emperor Qi's face twitched slightly. Who do you think you are?
  At that moment, Emperor Qi said with a dark face: "What are you talking nonsense about? As a prince, I don't think about the suffering of the people, I just think about myself. If the news spreads, I am not afraid of being laughed at."

"Just because I am a prince, the price needs to be more expensive." Zhang Jingshou said.

"You traitor!" Emperor Qi was really angry when he heard Zhang Jingshou's words. To be honest, if Ji Ren refused to back down and wanted to increase the price, he could actually accept it.

But Zhang Jingshou, he couldn't accept this. Firstly, his son contradicted me, which obviously made him very unhappy. Secondly, and most importantly, Zhang Jingshou was a prince, and all his food and clothing expenses came from the people's taxes, and they were all paid by the people. To the people, it is a matter of course and right for Zhang Jingshou to give back to the people. However, the treasury is empty and Zhang Jingshou is really unhappy in his heart.

"Your Highness." Zhang Zheng was also anxious. The title "treason" can be big or small. If it rises to the level of disobedience and unfilial piety, it is considered a serious crime.

"Oh~ Why is my father always like this? Every time he talks, he scolds me and refuses to listen to my reasoning. Or maybe it's because my father only lets me read books by sages and doesn't read books by sages himself." Zhang Jingshou He shook his head. Compared to Zhang Zheng's panic, he was very calm. It was not like he had never scolded him in private. However, did this prevent him from being angry with his father in the future?

"Do you still have a point?"

Zhang Jingshou protested, but in the eyes of Emperor Qi, it was just sophistry, and it was even more annoying.

"Yes. Father, haven't you heard the story of Zigong's redemption?" Zhang Jingshou said confidently.

"Of course I have heard of it. What does this have to do with Zigong's redemption?" Emperor Qi looked at Zhang Jingshou and frowned slightly. He didn't expect that Zhang Jingshou could tell an allusion. He thought to himself, this traitor must have been reading a book during this time. , but it has made some progress.

"Since my father has seen it, why do you still want to take advantage?" Zhang Jingshou said with his eyes widened, "In the Spring and Autumn Period, the Lu State had laws. If a Lu State person became a slave outside, people from the same country would redeem him, and then You can go to the national treasury to get a reward. Zigong, a disciple of Confucius, once ransomed a Lu man abroad. However, after he returned home, he refused to accept the national reward. He believed that doing good deeds comes from the heart, not for the reward, but After Master Kong knew about it, he severely criticized him. Receiving a bounty from the State of Lu will not damage your character; but if you do not receive compensation, no one in the State of Lu will redeem your compatriots who died."

"Old Master believes that from now on, the people of Lu will no longer redeem slaves from other countries."

"On the contrary, another disciple of the old master, Zilu, rescued a drowning man. The man thanked Zilu for sending a cow, and Zilu accepted it without politeness. The old master greatly praised Zilu and thought that the people of Lu would never forget it. After that, he will have the courage to save those who fall into the water."

Listening to Zhang Jingshou's words, Emperor Qi nodded slightly. This boy really studied, and he couldn't help but feel a little better.

"To practice as a warrior, you need to polish your energy and blood, especially low-level warriors. The majority of Daqi warriors are low-level warriors, so military expenses are expensive. Now Lao Ji has come up with a way to cultivate such a Yunzhan white pig. This is a benefit. A great deed that benefits the country and the people, does the emperor want to promote and reward such a thing?" Zhang Jingshou asked.

"Of course, so I have already made Boyi Earl." Emperor Qi said.

"But is this just the work of Lao Ji alone? Father, have you ever raised pigs? Do you know the hardship of raising pigs? Lao Ji gave the order, but now there are so many pigs in Tongfu Trading Company, do you know how many people there are? Do you know how many people and pigs sleep together, and they all have a peculiar smell?" Zhang Jingshou kept talking.

"I know, of course they have worked hard." Emperor Qi did not deny it.

"No, father, you don't know." Zhang Jingshou shook his head and said, "They raise pigs, which benefits the country and the people. But now that they are developed, they could have made profits through pork and raised wages. We were originally planning to pay Year-end bonus, but now, Father, you still have to suppress costs. If the wool comes from the sheep, then we won’t make any money. Naturally, we have to reduce costs, which will make these people suffer. And this is because, Father, you don’t give money. .”

"At the very least, this is causing suffering for hundreds of people in our Tongfu Trading Company. At the most serious level, it is dampening the aspirations of the people of Daqi to serve the country."

"Father, you have always asked me to read history books, ask me to seek truth, and let me feel the pain of the people. Now I feel it. Father, why didn't you say anything?"

"I am a prince, so I should be rewarded. Otherwise, Lao Ji and I have done so many things and have not been rewarded. What will other people think? They will think that my father is so stingy, stingy, stingy, and a tough guy. , don’t pay a dime, and don’t even reward your own son, so what else can you do to outsiders?”

"So for the sake of our Daqi country, my father will reward me."

Zhang Jingshou looked at Emperor Qi and said confidently.

Give me money!

Even if you are my biological father, don’t even try to take advantage of me.

Looking at the eloquent Zhang Jingshou, Lu Shang showed an expression of admiration. Suddenly he felt that Zhang Jingshou was better than him, and he would say the same thing after returning home.

Ji Ren's expression remained as usual, and he was filled with admiration in his heart. He was indeed someone I recognized that we could work together to achieve great things. Even his father and uncle came here and couldn't shake his desire to make money.

My big boss.

The Prime Minister Zhuge Qinglan and the Minister of Civil Affairs Xun Fang were thoughtful and looked at Zhang Jingshou with a smile on his face. Although it was a bit messy, it was not unreasonable.

Emperor Qi looked at the slightly childish face in front of him. Although he knew that this boy wanted to make money, he had to admit that what he said was right. It seemed that he had really studied recently. Thinking of this, his attitude became much better. , said: "What you said makes some sense..."

"It's not somewhat reasonable, but it makes a lot of sense. Father, don't treat me like a child all the time. My son is also a minister. I have been with Tian Zhi recently. I can also be a censor. Father, you I have been asked to read books by sages all day long, but you, my father, have not understood it yourself. If Confucius were still alive, you would still praise your sons and ministers." Zhang Jingshou said.

Emperor Qi's face, which had just improved, suddenly turned dark again.

This is no longer a question of whether the words make sense, but is this your son’s attitude towards me?
  If Confucius still praises you when he is still alive, does that mean he wants to scold me?
  And just now, you are "stingy, stingy, stingy, stubborn, and stubborn", I think your hair is about to be plucked.

"Prime Minister, you go down first. Boyi, please disperse the people and leave King Ming alone." Emperor Qi said.

I can’t bear it anymore. I originally wanted to celebrate the New Year with everyone in harmony, but now I can’t.

"The minister obeys the order."

Zhuge Qinglan and Ji Ren accepted the order and led the people down.

"Eh~"

Zhang Jingshou blinked, feeling a little bad.

Looking at Emperor Qi who was getting closer and closer, Zhang Jingshou showed a flattering smile: "Father, you teach your subjects to speak up with justice and be brave in admonition."

"Yes. So you think that I am stingy, stingy, stingy, hard-charging, and never-poor, sincere, right?" Emperor Qi looked around, and suddenly saw a vine, and his eyes shone slightly.

"No, Father~ah~"

……

Soon, a sound like a slaughtering pig came from the yard.

Many Yunzhan white pigs in the pig pen were so shocked that their faces were filled with astonishment. Another companion was slaughtered?

(End of this chapter)