Before Jiang Chong could see it clearly, Changgeng praised as if nothing had happened, "Minister Fang is indeed talented. He is truly a capable minister in governing the world."
Prince Yan's words were light, and his praise seemed to be sincere. It was as if the indescribable killing intent was completely in the Lord Jiang's imagination. Only the words "governing the world" were used subtly.
Fang Qin's memorial pointed directly at the Emperor Long An's heart. He didn't comment on whether it was good or bad to put the refugees into the factory. He only focused on the issue of the safety of the purple gold. He even dragged Gu Yun out to say, "Tens of thousands of Black Iron Battalion soldiers fought bloody battles on the frontlines. If it wasn't used properly, wouldn't it chill the hearts of the loyal officials?"
Gu Yun probably wouldn't care too much, but Li Feng's reverse scale had been properly poked. When Changgeng persuaded Duke Feng to give in on the purple gold issue, he said that ever since the wise and powerful Emperor Wu, the purple gold to the imperial family was like another imperial jade seal. Furthermore, the imperial family's private treasury that had been accumulated for generations in Jing Hua Garden had been burned to the ground. From then on, Li Feng would only feel more insecure.
Later on, Fang Qin also listed a long list of possible consequences of selling the purple gold to private merchants. For example, if they opened this loophole, how would they be able to identify whether the purple gold in the private merchants' hands was bought from the imperial court or smuggled?
If the price of the purple gold smuggled from outside was lower, then the profit-seeking merchants would naturally use the special license to smuggle it. The private possession, private sale, and private transportation of the purple gold among the people had already been banned repeatedly. Wouldn't it be even harder to control it in the future?
Another example was that if there were no accidents, the factory industry would always have a longer lifespan than a mortal. Even if the imperial court only gave the 13 private merchants the special license, what about their descendants?
The burning of the purple gold would only increase in the future. Otherwise, it would be difficult to continue. In that case, did the imperial court want to give the special license to their descendants? What if their descendants split up? What if the factory was bought by someone else? If the right to use the Purple Gold could be bought and sold, then wouldn't it be too convenient for criminals to secretly hoard Steel Armors and fire engines to rebel in the future?
However, if this kind of concession was only a one-time deal, it would benefit the people and not the factory. In the future, when the thirteen people who held the concession died and the factory collapsed, wouldn't the refugees still run rampant?
The current generation of refugees knew that it was foreign enemies who had caused them to lose their homes, and that it was the imperial court who took care of their food and arranged places for them to go. But what would they think when they saw refugees again in a few decades? They would only feel that the imperial court, which had forcefully taken back the franchise rights, had destroyed their livelihood. In this way, wouldn't they have resolved a temporary crisis and buried endless disasters?
In addition, there were various other concerns. Fang Qin finally summed it up in elegant terms: In summary, the people who encouraged the sale of the Purple Stream Gold to private merchants were either simple-minded and didn't care about the consequences at all. They only looked at what was in front of them and didn't think about how to deal with it in the future. Or they were simply stirring up sh * t and fishing in troubled waters. No one knew what their intentions were.
Fang Shangshu was very talented. Every word in the long memorial stabbed into the Emperor Long An's heart.
"If this memorial was sent to the Grand Council through the normal channels, we would have the ability to stop it," Jiang Chong sighed, "But … ah, wang ye, the Fang Family has deep roots in the imperial court."
Chang Geng suddenly laughed silently.
Jiang Chong was confused by his laughter.
He saw Prince Yan leisurely pick up the tea on the table and take a sip. Seemingly unintentionally, he said: "What Master Fang said was an urgent matter and not some nonsense. Everything he said was reasonable and there was nothing wrong with it. Even if it was sent to the Grand Council, what reason do we have to stop it? Han Shi, was what you said appropriate? What kind of place do you think the Grand Council is, a place to bully and cheat? "
His tone was gentle, but his words were very serious. Jiang Chong was shocked: "Wang ye …"
Chang Geng's expression changed slightly. He lightly interrupted him and said: "Today, these words came from your mouth and entered my ears. It won't spread to a third person, so I'll let it go for now. But I don't want to hear similar words in the Grand Council."
Jiang Chong quickly replied with a serious face: "Yes, this official misspoke."
Chang Geng's expression softened. He lied through his teeth: "My experience is limited. When it comes to matters, I don't have enough self-restraint. I treat you as one of my own and don't have a filter on my mouth. My words were light and heavy. Brother Han Shi, don't take it to heart."
Jiang Chong repeatedly said, "I don't dare." He had been promoted by Yan Wang. Everyone thought that he was Yan Wang's confidant, but he felt more and more that he couldn't see through this superior who had recognized his worth.
The power led by the Fang Family wouldn't sit and watch the new nobles take advantage of the country's lack of money to rise to power. They would certainly spare no effort to suppress them. This was certain.
Others might not know, but Jiang Chong was well aware that these so-called "new nobles" were precisely supported by Prince Yan. Since the reform of governance … or even earlier, when the issuance of fire beacon tickets, this matter had already been laying the groundwork.
If he had laid the groundwork for a long time to set up a trap, then where would it lead to in the end?
Was His Royal Highness Yan Wang really just selfless? Was everything he did to alleviate the country's temporary crisis? Was he really as unambitious as he had always shown himself to be? Was he really an idle prince who would immediately return home as soon as the foreign enemy retreated?
If that was the case, why would he need to rack his brains to set up such a big stall?
But if Yan Wang was only using this big lie to deceive the world and had other plans in his heart … what could he want?
He was the only living brother of the current emperor and the only prince of Daliang. If he wanted to go further, he could only … take that position.
But this didn't make sense at all. If Yan Wang really wanted the throne, why would he refuse when the Emperor Long An personally ordered him to succeed the throne?
Taking a step back, even if he refused at the time and later changed his mind, why would he offend all the important officials in the court with his status as a prince? Wouldn't it be normal for him to try to rope them in?
Jiang Chong was confused. He asked carefully, "But Your Highness, after reading this memorial, even I am full of doubts about the private business of setting up a factory, let alone the Emperor. But if this really doesn't work, then not to mention how the court will appease Old Man Du and the others who have made contributions to the country, how will the refugees settle down? "
"You're wrong." Changgeng smiled meaningfully. "After reading it, the Emperor will only be full of doubts about the private business of Purple Stream Gold. Since Master Fang has made it so clear that the private business of Purple Stream Gold is not feasible, why don't we think about how to solve this problem? Won't that be the best of both worlds?"
Jiang Chong was stunned.
Changgeng said, "Go back and prepare. Come early tomorrow. The Grand Council will discuss this matter before the court meeting. Don't let my brother down."
Jiang Chong nodded and got up to leave. For a moment, he heard an indescribable certainty in Yan Wang's calm words. It was as if he had already expected Fang Qin's memorial and had already thought about how to deal with it.
But … since there was a solution, why didn't he mention it at the beginning? Why did he have to beat around the bush?
What was the use of this except to intensify the conflict between the new nobles and the aristocratic families?
"Oh, right, Han Shi." Changgeng called out to him.
Jiang Chong, who had a lot on his mind, came back to his senses. He thought that Yan Wang had something important to say and hurriedly listened.
Changgeng said, "By the way, tell them to fry two catties of salted crispy small yellow croakers for me and wrap them up. I'll bring them back later. Thank you!"
Lord Jiang slipped and almost fell down the stairs.
At this time, Gu Yun, who had been left behind by the Emperor Long An, had just left before the palace doors were locked.
The Marquis of Stability had to take a look at the deployment of war preparations before it could be reported to the Grand Council for the Emperor's approval. Originally, the latest Purple Gold deployment plan was to be handed over to Gu Yun after the court meeting. Who knew that the Emperor would leave him behind until this time? Shen Yi had no choice but to wait until nightfall. Just as he was yawning in boredom, he saw Gu Yun slowly walking out.
"What took you so long?" Shen Yi greeted him, "I thought you had quarreled with the Emperor again."
Gu Yun took the memorial that he was about to present and casually flipped through it, "Wait for me to take it back. What's there to quarrel about? We're already so old."
Shen Yi, "…"
He looked at Gu Yun in shock and stuttered, "We're … already so old? Marshal, are you okay? What did the Emperor say to you? "
He actually called the 'flower of the northwest', who was always showing off, as' already so old '!
Gu Yun glanced at his shoulder with melancholy. The little crown prince was still drooling on his shoulder.
If a person was single for a long time, it would be easy for them to feel that they were still young. Unexpectedly, they had accidentally become the generation of 'Great Uncle'. Only then did they suddenly realize that with their age, if they were replaced by someone with a shorter lifespan, perhaps half of their life would have passed.
"It's nothing." Gu Yun said absent-mindedly as he walked, "Maybe he was annoyed by the court meeting and said a few discouraging words to me … The Emperor has always been competitive since he was young. He always wants to suppress others in everything he does. When he just ascended the throne, he also thought about the Mount Tai pilgrimage. After all these years, he … sigh, it's not easy for him."
Shen Yi put his hands behind his back and listened silently. Every time it involved the rotten matters of the imperial family, he felt very tired. Led by Yuan He, who had already entered the Imperial Mausoleum, one was more capricious than the other. If it was good for three days, they would let you enjoy unparalleled glory and wish that you could rule the world. If they were annoyed for two days, they would turn you into a prisoner in the blink of an eye. If they were not careful, their little life would be hanging on someone's blade.
Just like Yuan He, if he could cut the Gordian knot, Gu Yun would have been able to marry a wife when she reincarnated. However, that person wanted to get rid of the Gu family and couldn't bear to do it several times. He was like a ruthless hunter who destroyed a tiger's den. He had already done it, but he couldn't bear to kill the cub and insisted on bringing it home to raise it like a cat. He killed it sincerely and doted on it sincerely. In the end, he raised Gu Yun, a 'root of disaster' with deep affection. It was unknown whether he succeeded or failed.
Shen Yi sighed and said, "When we were fighting outside, we didn't know the difficulties in the imperial court. Only when we came back did we know that His Royal Highness Yan Wang really didn't have it easy for more than a year. Guess what, my father was still talking to me yesterday, saying that it was' a blessing in disguise '. Although my family wasn't a prestigious family, we had been in the imperial examinations for generations and were properly paid the imperial salary. Back then, I stubbornly wanted to enter the Lingshu Temple. My old man didn't do anything, but all my aunts and uncles went crazy. Later on, I ran out of the Lingshu Temple to join the army with you. It was even more outrageous … Ai, don't mention it. In the eyes of those aunts and uncles in my family, I was simply a hopeless prodigal. "
Gu Yun said discontentedly, "I have real military merits. How is that a prodigal?"
"That's right. But now, my old man is actually a little happy," Shen Yi said, "He said that there are undercurrents everywhere in the imperial court, and the situation is becoming more and more complicated. Instead, it's better to follow you to fight outside. At least the muzzle of the cannon and the tip of the sword are pointed at the enemy."
Gu Yun's heart didn't feel much at ease. Instead, it was more tightly packed. He didn't know what kind of role Changgeng played in the chaotic imperial court. So far, the Grand Council seemed to be a temporary organization that coordinated the country's power and coordinated the officials in order to "prioritize war" throughout the country during a special period. Although the power of the Grand Council was similar to the previous dynasty's system, it was the center of state affairs and directly reported to the Emperor to command the six ministries. However, everyone in the Grand Council still retained their original positions. It seemed that once the war was over, the Grand Council could be abolished at any time.
With Prince Yan as the head, the Grand Council always revolved around the Emperor and the needs of the major military regions. Everyone's position seemed to be behind a heavy fog.
"Let's not talk about these vexing things," Shen Yi said, interrupting his thoughts, "Oh right, is His Royal Highness Yan Wang still living in the Marquis fu? What's going on between you and him? "
Gu Yun, "…"
Shen Yi couldn't see the "hard to explain" expression on his face at all. He continued to chatter, "I heard people say that His Royal Highness Yan Wang used to live in the Grand Council for ten days to half a month. Recently, he started to move around on a regular basis. It seems that it started when you returned to the capital … Ai, speaking of which, if he didn't take it seriously, he probably wouldn't dare to make fun of you."
He lamented for a long time. It wasn't clear whether he lamented that Prince Yan didn't have it easy and wanted Gu Yun to quickly accept it, or he warned Gu Yun that this love was too shocking and that he should make a decision if necessary. In any case, Gu Yun didn't get the message. He frowned and said, "I don't understand. What do you mean?"
"I mean that I also don't know what to do about this matter," Shen Yi scratched his ears and cheeks and said, "I'm just worried about you."
Gu Yun, "…"
He felt that Shen Yi wasn't worried about him. Instead, he felt that he was just making things difficult for him.
However, they had already slept together. Shen Yi's words and laments were already too late. But no matter how thick-skinned Gu Yun was, this kind of "truth" was really inconvenient for him to announce to the world.
He glanced at Shen Yi who was still following him blindly and didn't seem to have any intention of going back home. He raised his eyebrows in annoyance and said, "Why are you still following me? Are you going to the Marquis fu to see how I'm worried?"
Shen Yi laughed awkwardly and said, "Zi Xi, we've been friends for so many years. Can't you let me have a meal?"
Gu Yun asked curiously, "Is your family so poor that you can't afford to eat?"
Shen Yi was not his usual talkative self. He hesitated for a while before saying, "My father … recently wanted to arrange a marriage for me. That … is a little too enthusiastic. I can't afford to offend him, so I can only hide from him. Hey, that's enough. Don't laugh until you sprain your back. How can you repay kindness with enmity? Oh, if you're worried, I'll help you. If I'm worried, you'll gloat … "
Halfway through his words, Gu Yun laughed so hard that he couldn't breathe, "I … have really broadened my horizons. This is the first time I've seen a general who has to eat rice from a hundred families because he's being forced into a marriage."
Shen Yi, "… Gu Zi Xi, is our friendship still there? If it is, then quickly shut up. Treat me to a good meal and I'll forgive you. "
He really regretted that he didn't take advantage of the time when Gu Yun couldn't get out of bed to take revenge. Sure enough, honest people were always bullied.
Gu Yun was tired of laughing, so he perfunctorily comforted him, "Be content. If someone urges you, it's because my father is still alive. If I want someone to urge you, no one will."
Shen Yi's expression was a little lonely when he heard this, "My father is probably afraid that I'll die on the battlefield and is anxious to leave an heir for the Shen family. After so many years, I've indeed made him worry. It's just that … I know myself. I'm born to be very trivial. If I have a wife and children, I'm afraid it'll be difficult for my mind to stay at the border. You're already lonely enough. If I leave … "
Gu Yun stopped laughing and turned around to look at him from two steps away.
Shen Yi, "Recently, I can see that you have the intention to retire after you succeed. If you really beat the foreigners back, His Majesty won't be able to find trouble with you no matter what. Besides, His Royal Highness Yan Wang is still there. His Royal Highness is careful and benevolent. He also treats you well … I think he can take care of you. I've been sloppy for so many years. It's time for me to settle down and start a family."
"Jiping," Gu Yun said, "Could it be …"
Shen Yi waited for him to continue.
Gu Yun, "… You also have a crush on me?"
Shen Yi tripped over a stone on the ground.
Gu Yun shook his head and sighed, "It's hard to give up on one's natural beauty. Ai, it's also troublesome to be too handsome."
Shen Yi finally couldn't bear it anymore and roared, "You're so shameless!"
General Shen's melancholy turned into anger for a moment. He fought with Gu Yun all the way back to the Marquis' fu. Unexpectedly, he met Prince Yan, who had just returned from Wangnan Lou at the gate.
In front of General Shen, Changgeng greeted him very politely and handed the small yellow croaker to Gu Yun, "It just happened that it was cooked. Adoptive father said it was delicious last time, so I bought it on the way back."
Shen Yi laughed dryly.
Gu Yun coughed dryly.
Changgeng's gaze and expression made Shen Yi feel that it was a mistake for him to come to the Marquis' fu to freeload a meal. He was blind. Gu Yun's back hurt when he heard the word 'adoptive father', so he didn't say anything.
As soon as King Yan showed up, he subdued the two lively generals. With a big smile on his face, he led the two generals into the mansion.
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