Lomin smiled and said embarrassedly, "I was just going down the embankment and accidentally stepped on the mud. I forgot myself, I forgot myself."
Lin Wanrong saw the old man's rare bashfulness and laughed. "It doesn't matter if I see it, but if the inspectors from the Inspectorate see you like this, I'm afraid they won't be able to explain themselves."
Lomin said, "What am I working so hard for? Isn't it to benefit the people of Jiangsu Province? Even if those inspectors report it to the emperor, I would still dare to say so. "
Lin Wanrong smiled, "Report it to the emperor? I think that Official Luo is looking forward to this day. Receiving a few words of scolding, but letting the emperor see that you love the people like your own children, this business is really good. "
Lin Wanrong couldn't be more familiar with this. The old fox's words sounded nice, like "benefiting the people of Jiangsu Province", but Lin Wanrong didn't believe any of it. To put it bluntly, wasn't he just trying to get some political achievements to climb up?
Lomin knew that he couldn't hide it from him, so he smiled embarrassedly and said, "I won't hide it from Brother Lin, what you said is indeed true. But if I can get promoted and benefit the people, why wouldn't I do such a good thing? "
This Luo didn't seem to be afraid of Lin Wanrong. He must have been a person with ambitions in the past, but looking at his big belly, he knew that those ambitions had long since rotted in his stomach.
Lomin called Luo Ning to bring a clean official robe over. Seeing Lin Wanrong looking at Luo Ning, Lomin softly said to him, "Brother Lin, what did you and Ning 'er talk about? I saw that she seemed to be very happy. "
When did I change from Young Master Lin to Brother Lin? We've only met twice, but this Lomin really knows how to be familiar with people.
"Nothing much. We only talked about ideals and life, "Lin Wanrong boasted shamelessly.
"That's it?" Lomin blinked her eyes in disbelief.
"Then what do you want us to talk about?" Lin Wanrong asked with a smile. The more she looked at this Lomin, the less he looked like Luo Ning's biological father. How could he give birth to such a beautiful daughter when he had such a coquettish appearance? Perhaps Kleinloh and her brother were like her mother.
"Not only does Ning 'er look like her mother, but she also has a similar personality. She's independent and opinionated, and her temperament is somewhat aloof. I've rarely seen anyone get along with her like this. "Lomin sighed, as if he was reminiscing about his late wife who had passed away many years ago.
Lin Wanrong wasn't in the mood to listen to his gossip, so he went straight to the point. "Master Luo, you called me here. It's not as simple as having a heart-to-heart talk with me. "
Lomin laughed heartily. "I was so happy chatting with you that I almost forgot the proper business. Brother Lin, what do you think of the embankment? "
"Very good, the scale is very large, there are many people, very lively." Lin Wanrong feigned ignorance.
Lomin smiled wryly. "Is that all?"
Lin Wanrong was curious. "What else does Master want me to know?"
When a fox meets a fox, it's a competition of patience. Lomin was burning with impatience. He couldn't help but say, "I won't hide it from Brother Lin. I invited you here today to investigate because I want you to help me think of a way to get some money as soon as possible. "
I knew this old fox didn't have any good intentions. Lin Wanrong was baffled. "Get money? Master Luo, you're the governor of Jiangsu. The financial power is all in your hands. Why would you worry about money? "
Lomin sighed. "Brother, you don't know. I'm the governor of Jiangsu. I look glorious on the outside, but I'm suffering on the inside. Jiangnan is rich, the world is rich. These words are true. But Jiangsu's annual tax revenue is closely watched by the higher-ups. Right now the north is not peaceful. Next year we're going to war with the barbarians. Internally, there's also the White Lotus Sect causing trouble. There are many places where money is needed. My Jiangsu province's tax revenue has all been paid to the national treasury. There's not even a single coin left. "
These words were reasonable. The governor of Jiangsu was such a lucrative position. Who knew how many people were eyeing him. If he wanted to do something, he would be on tenterhooks. Besides, now that the country was in a crisis, there was not enough money. Jiangsu was the granary. It was normal to pay more.
"This year, the Ministry of Revenue only allocated ten thousand taels of silver for the river defense of Jiangsu province. Take Jinling for example. If we don't rush to repair the dam in winter, next year in April or May, when the plum rain season comes, Xuanwu Lake will overflow. Together with the flood from the upper reaches of the Yangtze River, there will be flooding both inside and outside. The city will be destroyed and people will die. This is not an alarmist talk. "Lomin said helplessly. Her face showed deep anxiety.
"Just the Jinling flood control and the Yangtze River's embankment will cost more than a thousand taels of silver every day. My Jiangsu has a thousand li of river bank, more than twenty-one counties. Other than the natural barrier of the Yangtze River, there are also the Huai River, Tai Lake, and Hongze Lake that need to be controlled. Calculating it, there's a gap of more than two hundred thousand taels of silver. What should I do? "Lomin complained.
Lin Wanrong thought for a moment. "Master Luo, forgive me for speaking bluntly," he said, "This flood control strategy cannot be completed in a day. At least it will take ten years, at most it will take a hundred years. It can't be rushed."
Lomin nodded. "I also know it can't be rushed," she said, "But I don't want to repeat the same mistake. In the flood four years ago, in order to protect Jinling, I was forced to release water from the upper reaches of the suburbs. It flooded thousands of li of fertile land. I really feel ashamed to face the people of Jiangsu. "
No wonder. It turned out that she had a tragic experience. Releasing water from the upper reaches to protect important targets was the only way. It was understandable that she was scolded by the common people.
Lin Wanrong said, "Master Luo, I admire your determination. But about raising money, you should discuss it with the mansion's advisor. I'm just a small servant. At most, I can manage a restaurant and earn a little money. It's useless to talk to me. "
Luodun sighed. "I won't hide it from you. I've done everything I can. I've raised money, I've used all kinds of means. But how can I make up for the gap of hundreds of thousands of taels of silver? Without the silver, the Yangtze River's embankment will be stopped in a few days. If we don't build the embankment before the frost, we will be helpless when the flood comes next year. "
"Brother Lin, Ning 'er has mentioned to me that you are quick-witted and quick-witted. She once asked you for help, which is why I took the liberty to invite you here. I hope that you can lend me a hand. It can also be considered as doing something for the welfare of the people of Jiangsu. "Lomin said it so sincerely that Lin Wanrong couldn't tell whether it was true or not.
Alas, it turns out that Luo Ning recommended me to her father, saying that I'm good at making money. But no matter how capable I am, I can't give you hundreds of thousands of taels of silver in the blink of an eye. If I had that ability, why would I stand here and talk nonsense with you? I'd go home and count the money.
"Master Luo, I have no official power and no money. How can I help you?" Lin Wanrong said with a wry smile.
"No official power and no money. But Brother Lin, you have intelligence and wisdom. This is something that even ten thousand taels of gold can't buy." Lomin flattered.
Looking at Luo Min's appearance, she really had no way out. Otherwise, she wouldn't be so desperate to find a doctor. Lin Wanrong grew up by the river and naturally knew what the embankment meant to the common people. This Lomin really did look like she wanted to do something. He sighed and thought, damn it, do I really have to be the savior of the world?
Lin Wanrong walked back and forth on the embankment, deep in thought. Lomin also didn't say anything.
On the other side, Luo Ning raised her head and saw the two people on the embankment frowning. She sighed in her heart. Could it be that even this profiteer Brother Lin has no way?
Lin Wanrong walked a few steps and suddenly turned back. He said firmly, "Master Luo, I can help you think of a way. But whether you can do it or not, whether you're afraid of being scolded, that's your problem."
Lomin said happily, "Just say it. It's not the first time I, Lomin, have been scolded. One more time is nothing."
Lin Wanrong nodded. This Luo, other than having a big belly and being a bit slippery, didn't have any other shortcomings.
"Master Luo, how many people do we need to repair the embankment?" Lin Wanrong asked.
"We need at least three thousand strong men." Lomin answered, "But we've already used up all our money and food. I'm afraid it won't work to recruit more people."
Lin Wanrong said, "Of course it won't work to recruit people. But there are many strong men in Jiangnan who don't need to pay. Why don't Master make use of them?"
Lomin said happily, "Where can we find such strong men?"
"The Jiangsu commander-in-chief has three battalions of soldiers and horses, tens of thousands of people. They all eat rations and pay. There's no war to fight at the moment. Why not pull them to repair the embankment?" Lin Wanrong said indifferently.
Lomin was shocked. Pulling soldiers to repair the water conservancy. This idea was really bold. But there had never been such a rule in China's previous dynasties. Would it work?
Lomin sighed. "Brother Lin, you're not someone from the bureaucracy. You don't know the knowledge in this. That Jiangsu commander-in-chief Cheng De, although he's under my control in name, has never been willing to listen to my orders. If we want to recruit soldiers under his command, I'm afraid it won't work. "
Lin Wanrong shook his head. "Master Luo, this is a problem you need to consider. I'm just helping you think of an idea."
Lomin frowned. Lin Wanrong shook his head with a smile. "Where there's a will, there's a will. If this Cheng De doesn't listen to orders, you can sue him. Don't say anything else. Just seize the fact that he doesn't care about the lives and deaths of the people. Sue him to the capital and the Emperor. It's best if the whole world knows. Let the people of Jiangsu know him. Maybe someone will come to his house in the middle of the night and pour dung on him. "
How could Lomin not understand his meaning? He wanted to make Cheng De look bad. It would be best if he could also make the masters behind him look bad, forcing them to send troops to repair the water conservancy.
Lomin gritted her teeth. "If that's the case, I'll send an order to Cheng De tonight. At the same time, I'll send an urgent report to the court. I'll ask the Ministry of War to send an order. I'll also send a memorial to the Emperor."
"Master Luo, according to our China's laws, what's the punishment for disobeying the constitution?" Lin Wanjing asked softly.
"A light punishment would be dismissal, a heavy punishment would be beheading." Lomin said.
"So, if you get the order from the Ministry of War and ask Cheng De to send troops, if he doesn't comply, you can kill him on the spot?" Lin Wanrong said.
Lomin's heart skipped a beat. He thought that this Young Master Lin was indeed ruthless. He nodded and said, "According to China's laws, yes."
Lin Wanrong smiled. "Master, I've thought of a solution for you. Whether you can solve it or not, it's up to you. Now, let's talk about money. "
Lomin nodded. There was no other way. Just like what Lin Wanrong said, if she didn't give Cheng De a hard time, he would never give in.
"Master Luo, what do you think is the most profitable industry in Jin Ling city?"
Lomin thought for a moment and answered, "Restaurants!"
Lin Wanrong almost vomited blood. You sly old fox, are you thinking of taking advantage of my restaurants? He smiled sheepishly and said, "Master Luo, please don't joke around. In Jin Ling city, the most profitable industry is the brothel. There are at least a hundred brothels by the Qinhuai River. That's a money-squandering establishment. Of course, the girls in the brothel sell their faces and bodies, so it's only natural for them to earn some money. But most of the money doesn't go to these girls. Don't you think you can think of a solution? "
Lomin's eyes lit up. "You mean, increase taxes?"
"It doesn't have to be increased, we can introduce new taxes. Master, every inch of land by the Qinhuai River is worth its weight in gold. There are many kinds of taxes, such as property ownership tax, land appreciation tax, industry surcharge, I can't even count them all. "Lin Wanrong said with a smile.
For industries like the brothel, adding new taxes was indeed very attractive. But just like what Lin Wanrong said, although it would only affect the interests of a small number of people, it would cause a lot of criticism.
Lin Wanrong saw him hesitating and cursed in his heart. You sly old fox, you don't want to offend anyone, but you also want to be a good official praised by the people. Is there such a good thing in the world?
Lomin nodded and said, "Brother Lin's words are very reasonable. I think not only the brothel, but all profiteering industries can also be heavily taxed. This way, the scope of involvement is not big, and it can also be supported by the people. What do you think, brother? "
He said and squinted at Lin Wanrong, but there was a deep meaning on his face.
Lin Wanrong's heart skipped a beat. Damn, this old fox wouldn't want to impose a heavy tax on my soap and perfume, would he? Damn, this time he lifted a rock and dropped it on his own feet.
Lomin, however, seemed to see through his thoughts and said with a sly smile, "Brother Lin, the profit of your restaurant is very small, and the Xiao Family's business has just started. This tax won't be levied on you for the time being."
This old fox took advantage of me and still wants to sell me off. Lin Wanrong was angry and amused at the same time. Just as he was about to speak, he saw Luo Ning personally coming over with two cups of fragrant tea. She said with a sweet smile, "Father, Brother Lin, you must be tired. Quickly drink some tea."
With Lin Wanrong's guidance, Lomin's mood was very good. She took a sip of the tea and said, "Ning 'er, Young Master Lin has helped a lot."
Luo Ning saw that they were chatting happily just now and specially came over to inquire about the news. Hearing this, she said happily, "Really, Brother Lin?"
Lin Wanrong smiled slightly, but before he could say anything, he heard a noise and angry scolding coming from afar.
The three of them hurriedly looked up. It turned out that a forty or fifty year old peasant was carrying a sack of mud when he passed by. He saw the scholars drawing and was fascinated. The mud and sand fell and landed on Hou Yuebai's table, dirtying the bird 's-eye view of the country.
That commoner was just a commoner and had never encountered such a disaster before. He was so scared that his face turned pale and his legs trembled. He raised his sleeve to wipe the marks, but the more he wiped, the dirtier it became.
"Young Master, this old man didn't do it on purpose." The old man was so scared that he knelt on the ground and continuously kowtowed while crying.
Warriors loved swords, scholars loved paintings. This Country Painting was specially made by Hou Yuebai to please Luo Ning. Seeing that it was ruined by a vulgar person, how could he not be angry? He fiercely kicked the old man's face and angrily said, "You lowly peasant, is this painting something you can see?"
Pa, Lin Wanrong's heart was filled with anger. He threw the teacup on the ground and rushed forward a few steps. He pulled a young man who was carrying mud and asked, "Brother, do you want to earn money?"
"Yes."
Lin Wanrong took out ten taels of silver from his bosom and picked up a stone. He gave both to him and said, "I'll give you ten taels of silver, you come with me."
That person asked, "Big brother, what do you want to do?"
Lin Wanrong looked at Hou Yuebai and gritted his teeth, "Beat him up."
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