A few days later, news of the Western Regions countries asking for peace reached the capital. After the Grand Council presented a memorial to the Emperor Long An, they urgently discussed for a day before replying to the Marquis of Stability. They had to ensure two things: first, that the rebels would not be able to turn the tables for three to five years, so that they wouldn't have trouble in their own backyard when they were dealing with the foreigners. Second, they wanted the Violet Gold, the more the better. The national treasury's crisis was temporarily resolved, but Daliang's Violet Gold problem had not been eased. The reason the Four Territories Siege had begun from the west was partly because the Black Iron Battalion was there, but partly because they wanted to solve the Violet Gold problem as quickly as possible.
The Marquis of Stability could decide on other matters at his discretion.
Soon after, Prince Yan entered the Palace to meet the Emperor. He gave a brief report to Li Feng about the war and the results of the Fire Beacon Tickets.
Li Feng counted on his fingers and was almost shocked by the effect of the Fire Beacon Tickets. He couldn't help but ask, "How come there are so many?"
"This is not strange. The officials in the court are anxious for the Emperor and are willing to destroy their families to save the people. How can they protect themselves at a critical time? They have all done their best. " Changgeng first flattered him unhurriedly and then said, "As for the people — there is a saying, 'Merchants in summer are rich, in winter they are rich, in drought they are rich, in water they are rich, in drought they are rich, in water they are rich, in waiting for exhaustion.' People who can become tycoons are not merchants who only chase after small profits."
Li Feng muttered to himself for a moment and then asked, "Then according to what you mean, what do they plan to chase from me?"
Changgeng said without hesitation, "Merchants are rich, but they also have to go through wind and rain. From a certain point of view, they are not much better than farmers who live by the whims of Heaven. Sometimes, a decree from the court can make a family go bankrupt. Or, if they meet a strong force on the way, their lives will be in danger. Now that the country is in danger, the tycoons of the Chamber of Commerce led by Jiangnan's richest man, Du Wanquan, have stepped forward. On one hand, they want to serve the country, and on the other, they want to find you as a backer."
Li Feng had heard too much flattery and was not so easily moved. He looked indifferently at Prince Yan, who had a hidden meaning in his words.
Changgeng didn't keep him in suspense and struck while the iron was hot. "We are in need of money, and the court is planning to send a second batch of Fire Beacon tickets. Brother, do you think … we should give these leaders of the Chamber of Commerce some benefits to encourage more people to help us?"
Li Feng didn't say anything. He looked at Chang Geng with a strange gaze.
Sometimes, "sincerity" has a time limit. For example, when the capital was besieged, Emperor Long 'an was filled with grief, indignation, and guilt. He wished he could kill himself in the tomb of the late emperor. His decision to pass the throne to Chang Geng was sincere. Now that the situation was gradually stabilizing, the way he looked at Changgeng was slowly changing with time, and it was also very sincere.
Yan Wang, Li Min, was just in his early twenties. In an ordinary family, he was just a young boy who had just started to learn how to carry beams. However, in just half a year, he had single-handedly eased the crisis of Daliang. At this time, he was quietly standing in the warm pavilion in the west. He was elegant and steady, which made people feel indescribably jealous.
Imagine the emperor of a generation. Just a few years after he ascended the throne, he was beset by two rebellions and a lot of lawsuits. He also caused the "Beidaying Mutiny", which was the most ridiculous thing in the world. In the end, he was invaded by the iron hooves of the foreign race, and the people everywhere were displaced. After all these things passed the lowest point, they began to slowly improve when Prince Yan took control of the military affairs. How would Li Feng feel?
How would historians evaluate this period of history a hundred years later?
Li Feng really didn't want to know at all.
The most important thing was that he was still so young.
Li Feng's heart was gloomy, and his attitude also became cold. He said neither lightly nor heavily, "All the land in the world belongs to the king. Since they are the people of Daliang, isn't it their duty to go bankrupt for the sake of the country and the people? What benefits do you want me to promise? Isn't that really buying and selling official positions? What a scandal! "
Changgeng was very good at reading people's expressions. He made light contact with Li Feng's eyes and immediately knew why the Emperor was indifferent for no reason. Although he was laughing coldly in his heart, his face revealed an expression of shock and confusion that didn't seem to be fake. "Your Majesty …"
Li Feng impatiently interrupted him. "That's enough! How to reward the people who are deeply righteous. Later, let the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of Rites come up with a plan. Don't overdo it. "
Changgeng put on a "sullen" expression. A moment later, he reluctantly said, "Yes."
Li Feng glanced at him and suddenly said, seemingly intentionally or unintentionally, "The Minister of Appointments, Wei Shu, is very old. Last night, it was raining, and he woke up early to rush to court. In a moment of carelessness, he fell in his own home and broke his leg. I have sent the imperial physician to take a look. It looks like it won't be good. The Wei family has already sent me a memorial to retire … As a result, the position of Minister of Appointments will be vacant. Ah Min, you are in charge of the Grand Council. Do you have anyone to recommend?"
This was a not very clever sounding out, but not clever didn't mean it was ineffective.
For someone like Li Feng, who was naturally suspicious, whether Changgeng was taking advantage of the situation to win over his own people or answering too flawlessly, neither was what Li Feng wanted to see. The former showed that he was too ambitious, and the latter showed that he was deliberately scheming.
Changgeng was first surprised and then instinctively blurted out, "What? Something happened to Sir Wei? "
He looked as if he really didn't know anything.
After saying this sentence, Chang Geng seemed to "come back to his senses" and realized that he didn't answer the question. Thus, he frowned and pondered for a long time before he sighed at the Long 'an Emperor, "This … Imperial Brother, please forgive me. This subject has been circling around this little bit of silver every day for a while and really has no time to care about other things. I might not have had time to see the Ministry of Personnel's report. This … the position of Minister is very important. I can't think of a candidate at the moment … "
Li Feng suspected that he was evading the responsibility. "There's no harm. Just say it."
Changgeng reached out and pressed the space between his furrowed brows. He paused and replied, "How about this? Brother, why don't you have a public evaluation in court and let the capable person take the position?"
Li Feng was speechless.
This answer was really unexpected. Li Feng was stunned by Yan Wang's unconventional and imaginative way of doing things. He was almost led away by him. He blurted out, "What kind of evaluation?"
"For example, the official's resume, what achievements they have, how many years of contributions they have made, and so on." Changgeng paused slightly and then continued, "You can also add criteria like whether the person is responsible, righteous, and so on. For example, whether they have subscribed for the fire beacon tickets. Speaking of this, I thought of something. In order to promote the fire beacon tickets smoothly in the future, can you include the number of fire beacon tickets they hold in the evaluation criteria? This doesn't count as selling official titles, right? "
Li Feng was speechless.
After talking for so long, he was back to square one again. Li Feng felt that if he pried open Yan Wang's handsome head at this time, the brain matter inside would have probably formed the shape of ingots.
Emperor Long An didn't know whether to laugh or cry. "You … bastard!"
This time, Changgeng didn't go along with the flow. He apologized in a low voice, and there was a bit of unconcealable sadness between his eyebrows.
With these few words, the gloominess and doubts in Li Feng's heart dissipated. He could also see that Prince Yan's heart really wasn't in the Ministry of Personnel.
"No matter what," Li Feng thought, "he can be considered to have done his best."
Thinking of this, Li Feng's expression became slightly better. He waved his hand to Changgeng and said, "Forget it. You go back first. Let me think about it."
Changgeng responded, bowed, and left. He knew that he had passed this test.
However, just as he was about to leave the warm west pavilion, Li Feng suddenly stopped him.
"Wait, Ah Min, there's one more thing," Li Feng said in an amiable tone. "You're not young anymore. It's not right for you to be alone all the time. It's time for you to get married and start a family."
Changgeng's heart skipped a beat.
Li Feng said kindly, "Grand Secretary Fang's granddaughter is seventeen years old. She's waiting to be married. I heard that this girl has a good reputation. She's a girl from a scholarly family. Her upbringing must be good. Her background isn't a disgrace to you. She's a good match. Your sister-in-law heard that and wants to help you arrange it. Let me ask, if you like, I can make the decision for you. What do you think? "
This marriage was not only good, it was simply too good. Although Grand Secretary Fang Hong had retired many years ago, more than half of the important officials in the court wanted to take him as their teacher. He had three sons, all of whom were very promising. One of them had just taken over the position of Minister of Revenue. Since the Yuanhe era, the aristocratic families had been vaguely led by the Fang Family.
Changgeng's expression became extremely ugly in an instant.
Li Feng raised his long eyebrows and asked, "What's wrong?"
Changgeng turned and lifted his clothes to kneel. His face was tense, but he didn't make a sound.
Li Feng asked curiously, "What are you doing?"
Changgeng didn't say a word. He knelt and didn't make a sound.
No matter how amiable Li Feng was, he was still the Emperor. Seeing him like this, his face fell. "If you don't like her, just say so. You're a grand Prince. Who can force you to marry? Who are you showing this face to? "
"Chen di is not willing," Chang Geng made a deep bow to him, his voice strange, "The eldest sister-in-law is like a mother. Chen di has failed to live up to Empress Niangniang's love. Imperial Brother, please punish me."
Li Feng frowned. "Because of what? Did you hear something bad about that girl, or do you have someone else in your heart? There are no outsiders here. You don't have to hide it from anyone. Just say it. "
Changgeng's gaze swept across the Xi Nuan Pavilion. He stubbornly refused to make a sound. His eyes were slightly red.
Of course, Li Feng didn't want to find a good marriage for Yan Wang. He also didn't want to see the Fang Family and Yan Wang get married. He mentioned it so hypocritically. In reality, it was because he hadn't finished probing. He didn't expect to arouse Yan Wang's intense emotions. He was curious and waved his hand to have the chamberlain leave the hall to wait for the decree.
Only the two brothers were left in the Xi Nuan Pavilion. Li Feng asked, "Can you say it now?"
Changgeng bowed deeply to him. He didn't make a sound, but first slowly undid the collar of his court robe.
Li Feng was shocked. He stood up. "This … …"
Yan Wang's young chest was covered with old scars. The most shocking one was a burn. It was very close to his throat. It was a thin line, as if he had been whipped by a burning stick.
"Please forgive me for my rudeness in front of the Emperor." Changgeng said in a low voice. There was a slight tremor in his voice.
Li Feng recovered from his shock. He was stunned for a while. Then he softened his voice and asked in a low voice, "Is it the barbarian woman from that year?"
Changgeng's face was pale. He reached out his hand and slowly pulled his clothes back.
On the city wall, he pulled the bow and shot the Japanese bandit leader with an arrow. His fingers trembled violently. He lowered his eyes and said in a low voice, "Although it is a coward's act to despise the world because of one person's mistake, but … …"
He gritted his teeth. His voice couldn't help but pause. He bowed to the ground. "The Fang Family's daughter is pure and beautiful. She should have someone to entrust her life to. I have a strange temperament. I don't like people to get close to me. What marriage … … Imperial brother, please don't mention it again."
Li Feng was stunned. "What are you talking about? You are a prince. How can you not get married in your life?"
Changgeng said expressionlessly, "Then why don't Your Majesty give up my title and let me roam the Jianghu with those wild monks?"
Li Feng was speechless.
Yan Wang looked like a gentleman who was well-educated and reasonable. In fact, he had a small temper. Moreover, when he was angry, he didn't throw cups and bowls. He just said, "I quit. You can find whoever you want."
Li Feng was speechless. He couldn't do anything about him. He immediately lost his temper and told Yan Wang to get out. Yan Wang left without another word.
The eunuch caught up with him and asked eagerly, "Wangye, are we going back to the Grand Council?"
Yan Wang didn't necessarily go home for ten days to half a month. He almost always lived in the Grand Council.
Changgeng paused. His gaze was a little dazed. He seemed to be in a daze. The eunuch didn't dare disturb him. He could only stand by the side, not even daring to breathe loudly.
"… … No," Changgeng said in a low voice. "Let's go home."
Changgeng didn't even let Gu Yun see the old scars on his body. He always thought that it was like an untouchable period. He didn't expect that today, it would become a tool for him to delay and deal with Li Feng.
The carriage rumbled through the capital's wide and well-connected bluestone roads. Changgeng, who was resting with his eyes closed, suddenly opened them.
One day, all of this would become unmanageable.
One day, he would be even more unscrupulous than he was now.
But he didn't feel bad in his heart. Because he had taken each step himself. He had already thought about it. There was nothing to regret.
He didn't disturb anyone on the way back to the cold and cheerless Marquis of Stability fu. He didn't eat anything. He went to Gu Yun's clean and simple bedroom and laid down. He closed his eyes. It seemed that there was still a light medicinal fragrance on the quilt.
Half a month later, after countless wrangling and arguments in the imperial court, the Emperor Long An finally rejected Yan Wang's absurd proposal of "the first batch of people to purchase the Fire Beacon Tickets will be promoted according to the amount of money spent." He only promised the Chamber of Commerce that when the situation stabilized in the future, he would open up the military to protect the trade routes from the attacks of bandits. At this time, those who had purchased the Fire Beacon Tickets could directly obtain the qualifications to join the Chamber of Commerce. They didn't need to pay any fees.
And after another month, a decree that shocked the court was implemented from top to bottom. The Fire Beacon Tickets would be an important indicator of the civil officials' governance.
A blade that no one could see at this time slowly revealed itself.
When this decree came out, the whole world was shocked. The imperial court of Daliang didn't treat the officials unfairly. Their salaries weren't low, but the social interactions in the officialdom also cost a lot. Especially during the reign of the previous Emperor, the country's power was unprecedentedly strong for a few years under the Imperial Emperor's iron and blood development. Extravagance and extravagance had already faintly become the norm. At this time, the officials were encouraged to purchase the Fire Beacon Tickets for their future. How much money could they make by relying on the state's salary?
Wouldn't it encourage corruption and fraud in the future?
In just a few days, the news reached the border.
"Zi Xi!" Shen Yi threw the reins of his horse into the hands of a bodyguard and directly barged into the commander's tent. Just as he was about to speak, he saw a platinum glass mirror on the bridge of Gu Yun's nose. He knew that he hadn't taken his medicine and could only swallow his words. He didn't know what was wrong with Gu Yun recently. As long as he didn't see outsiders, he increasingly didn't take his medicine. It was as if he planned to be a blind and deaf person with a peaceful state of mind.
Shen Yi just raised his hand.
Gu Yun said, "No need. Just say it. I also want to practice lip-reading."
Shen Yi sighed, "... Have you heard about the official governance reform?"
Gu Yun could read lip-reading. However, he had been relying on medicine all these years. The people around him would also use sign language to take care of him. It made him a little rusty. He had to slowly get used to it. He reacted for a while before he understood what Shen Yi was referring to. Gu Yun's eyebrows slowly wrinkled and he slowly nodded.
"What's going on with His Royal Highness Yan Wang? If this continues, won't he be afraid that people will say that he's the beginning of a corrupt and treacherous official? Even if he can solve the immediate problem, what will happen in the future? It's fine if he's from a prestigious family, but won't the poor scholars in the world break his backbone? You said that he's in charge of the Grand Council alone. A tall tree will attract the wind and easily attract jealousy. I'm really... "
Shen Yi's words were full of worry. When he was worried, his mouth would move up and down like a chicken pecking at rice. It made Gu Yun dizzy. He didn't "understand" most of it, but he understood the last sentence.
Shen Yi, "How does he plan to deal with it in the future?"
Gu Yun fell silent.
Shen Yi, "Zi Xi, say something."
"I can't continue to fight." Gu Yun answered absentmindedly.
Shen Yi, "..."
He sighed heavily. He suspected that Gu Yun didn't "hear" what he was saying at all. He thought, "Practice lip-reading? Practice my ass. It's more like practicing my mouth."
Shen Yi was about to exchange communication methods when Gu Yun continued, "I was a little too impatient and rash earlier. I deserved to be bombed. Fortunately, there's no danger here. However, I've been thinking a lot these days... Calais Yinghou isn't a bunch of good-for-nothings in the west. I'm afraid that there will be a few tough battles over there. I'm afraid that we don't have the resources to fight in one go. We have to think about it at length."
Shen Yi was stunned, "You're planning to..."
"I've already burdened the imperial court," Gu Yun said in a low voice. "It's time to rest."
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