"Ah Gui, what do you think of this booklet and this Ning Liheng?"
It was almost dusk. The sedan chair of the Prince Consort Mansion passed by the streets of Jiangning. After Kang Xian asked this question, Lu Agui thought for a long time.
"If it was in the past, it would be difficult to make a decision. However, after seeing this booklet today, I feel that this Ning Liheng … might be a talent for governing the world …"
"I think so too …" Kang Xian sighed. "There is only one booklet, but it covers a wide variety of topics. How to manage, guide, and hint so that the victims can display their efficiency instead of blindly suppressing them is the true way of the king. Regarding hygiene, he is not speaking carelessly. In the past, when he mentioned the study of things, he said that in the study of things, one must first confirm that all facts have a pattern and use the method of overall planning to record all kinds of similar events. Through comparison, induction, and analysis, one must find out the objective cause and effect. One cannot take it for granted or accept strange forces. Today, when he talked about hygiene, he gave many examples. Perhaps this is the conclusion he came up with based on the study of things … "
He thought for a while. "Tonight, I still have to think about how to hand this booklet over. I will discuss it with Duke Qin tomorrow … Right now, the disaster relief is imminent. Once I can relax, Ah Gui, I want you to gather all the doctors and medical officials you can and do a detailed analysis. Compare the surrounding conditions when various illnesses occur. Like what Liheng said, understand the effects of hygiene and many other conditions on the illness. Everything must be based on facts. Do not speak carelessly."
"Yes."
"After the flood, the disaster is about to start. Some things can be done now. For the family business, arrange people to make observations and records wherever we can. This year, there are disasters everywhere. Duke Qin will distribute the booklet, and I will also hand it over to the imperial court. Some people will use it, some won't, and some will be half-hearted. Have them record the implementation, the beginning and end of the outbreak, the detailed number of days, and the situation after the outbreak. Make this … what did Liheng say … the ratio. If we can really confirm that this method can stop the epidemic, tens of thousands of people, hundreds of thousands of people … This will be accumulating merit with Bodhisattva … "
"Yes."
"It's a pity that he doesn't want to do anything." Kang Xian shook his head. "I don't really believe in armchair strategists. As for taking out this booklet, it's just to let Elder Qin adopt Nie Yunzhu as his daughter, so that she would have a backer. Ha, he's both scholarly and infatuated. However, Ah Gui, do you believe it?"
"This subordinate … does not believe it." Lu Agui thought for a moment. "Although Young Master Ning's words are somewhat utilitarian, in fact, the significance of this kind of regulation is not comparable to that of a businessman. With his current relationship with Qin Gong and Old Master, even if there were some small matters, he could ask Old Master to take care of them, and it would be as easy as lifting a finger. If it was a normal merchant's matter, he could probably solve it with just a word from a lowly person. Young Master Ning himself was not a useless person. With the weight of this booklet … I feel that although he has thought about these things, I'm afraid that it's just an excuse to show that he doesn't want to become an official. "
Kang Xian laughed. "Haha, could it be that he didn't take this booklet too seriously?"
"There are people who are open-minded. Young Master Ning was originally modest, but his judgment was very accurate. If you want to say that he viewed these two matters equally, then it is really puzzling. Even if he owes Qin Gong a favor, he should understand the use of this booklet. Otherwise, I feel that he wouldn't solemnly warn me not to say his name. "
"That's the logic. But no matter what, he still only wants to be a son-in-law in Jiangning. In the Analects of Confucius, Zilu once said that a gentleman's official is righteous … He has the heart to live in seclusion, but he usually has many things to do. His words may be extreme, but they are not angry. Now that he took out this booklet, it proves that he cares about the people of the world. This kind of thinking is really puzzling. "
"Worried about the people, but not willing to enter the court. Master, could it be that he offended some high official in the past and was treated unfairly, so he is disheartened by the court? From what I heard, although Young Master Ning is not old, when he talks about scheming and scheming, he does seem to have some feelings. "
Kang Xian nodded. "I didn't investigate in detail before. This time, send someone to investigate. If he really offended someone … then we'll talk about it when the time comes."
"Yes."
The setting sun had already become magnificent in the distance. The sedan returned to the Prince Consort's Mansion. On the way in, a servant reported that a pair of children from Prince Kang's family had come over and were playing with the princess in the back. Kang Xian smiled and walked in.
The term 'princess' always made people feel that she was very young. However, as Kang Xian's wife, Princess Zhou Xuan of the State of Cheng, was actually 54 years old this year. This princess was the current Emperor's paternal aunt and was quite talented in her youth. After she married Kang Xian, they had a good relationship and treated each other with respect. Although this princess was biding her time, Kang Xian managed a large number of businesses together with her. Although she did not involve herself in the political world, she actually had a lot of influence in the royal family.
This couple had a neutral status and were wealthy. Several members of the royal family who were also wealthy and idle were willing to get close to them. For example, Zhou Yong's children, Zhou Pei and Zhou Junwu, came to the mansion to play today. They brought their grandchildren running around the garden. His graceful and noble wife, Zhou Xuan, was watching from the pavilion with a smile. Seeing him come over, she said, "The official has returned." She then reached out to brew a cup of tea for him. Soon after, the group of children also came over in a hubbub.
To be honest, among this group of children, the one that Kang Xian liked the most was the little adult Zhou Pei. This girl was indeed intelligent. His grandchildren couldn't compare to her. As for Zhou Junwu, who was often bullied by his sister, he was more popular with his grandchildren. Zhou Yong's family did indeed have a pair of good children. He had just sat down when Zhou Pei ran over first.
"Grandpa Prince Consort, Grandpa Prince Consort."
She called out sweetly. This was a sign that she had a favor to ask. Of course, Kang Xian also knew what she was asking for. This girl was very capable. A few days ago, she had come up with a set of methods to calculate the allocation of rations for disaster relief. It was quite thought-provoking. She knew that Kang Xian had some capable subordinates, so she showed it to him. She was full of confidence that she would present it to her "Uncle Emperor".
"Grandpa Prince Consort, that thing … how is it?"
The little girl smiled brightly. Kang Xian smiled and praised her.
"... This kind of allocation method is indeed thought-provoking. Furthermore, it takes into account the efficiency of the allocation of resources. The several accountants in the residence praised Pei 'er for being a child prodigy. She only made a few small changes. As for the allocation between the counties, there are a few small details that Pei' er is not clear about …"
Kang Xian took out a booklet and explained in detail. Indeed, there were only a few small details. After he finished explaining, he took out another booklet, "However, grandfather has also received another set of methods to calculate and record. It is different from Pei 'er's. Pei' er, you are well-versed in this field. Let's see if this will work and make a decision for grandfather."
"Uh …" The beautifully dressed Canton Princess was slightly confused. After a moment, she tilted her head, "Alright!"
She picked up the booklet and flipped through it. "There are a few more at the back." Kang Xian pointed out. He then smiled and whispered to his wife and grandchildren. Zhou Pei sat at the side of the pavilion, frowning as she flipped through a few pages. Then, her frown deepened, and she ran to the study next door. From the window, she could see that the little girl was looking for some pen and paper to write and draw, and she was completely focused. Zhou Xuan saw this and turned to ask Kang Xian, "Sir, what did you show Pei 'er?"
"No matter. We'll talk about it when she comes out." Kang Xian smiled and went to play with his grandchildren. Zhou Junwu looked at the study room with some confusion. When the little girl came out of the study room, she was holding the booklet with a depressed expression. She was already flipping through it from the beginning. After a while, she closed the booklet and placed it next to Kang Xian, "Grandpa Prince Consort, who wrote this?"
Kang Xian looked at her and thought for a while before saying, "I shouldn't say it, but … Pei 'er, if you swear to keep it a secret, I'll tell you. I'm not joking. Pei' er, you have to think carefully. If you think you can keep it a secret, then I'll tell you."
Zhou Pei thought for a while. Soon after, she raised her right hand with a serious expression.
The sun was setting on the east side of the city wall, illuminating the courtyard with a warm yellow light. Not long after, a low voice came from the pavilion, "Huh? That Man Zi? "
Little Junwu came over at this time. When he heard his sister's words, he couldn't help but ask in confusion, "Man Zi? Sister, what did that Ning Liheng do? "Ever since the Dragon Boat Festival, his sister didn't like the number one scholar and called him Man Zi.
Zhou Pei glared at him and said, "Go away!"
"No matter what, I am a little prince. You can't …" A group of brothers and sisters were watching from a distance. Little Junwu decided to resist. Before he finished speaking, he saw his sister's eyes. He turned around and ran away.
"Oh …"
*****
For Ning Yi, the two things he gave to Elder Qin and Elder Kang were not as simple as they seemed. One of the reasons was that he sympathized with the disaster victims and did a good deed so that Elder Qin could accept Nie Yunzhu as his adopted wife. Although in the eyes of Kang Xian and Lu Agui, it might not be balanced, Ning Yi actually had more considerations.
Since the incident of Gu Yanzhen, he had been paying attention to all kinds of changes on the way back. In fact, finding a backer for Nie Yunzhu was not only to prevent her from meeting people like Gu Yanzhen in the future, but also to make it more convenient for her to do business. These considerations were only part of the reason. The other part was because Ning Yi found that some constables were already looking for Li Pin and Nie Yunzhu to ask about Gu Yanzhen.
The contact between him and Nie Yunzhu was just a meeting before dawn every day. Apart from that, they did not see each other many times. However, the criminal investigation skills could not be underestimated. The possibility that the other party could really find him through Nie Yunzhu was not small. Taking a step back, Gu Yanzhen had planned to kidnap Nie Yunzhu. Maybe he had prepared something, so the constables would find some clues and focus on Nie Yunzhu. Since he wanted to take precautions, he simply mentioned her identity and directly stopped the investigation of the constables at this level. This matter was not only good for Nie Yunzhu, but also good for himself.
He thought that he was very calculative and had become a habit in his bones. If there was danger, he would first kill it and then take a step forward. Even if the worst thing happened, such as Gu Yanzhen not telling the truth before he died, and someone knew that Gu Yanzhen hired someone to kidnap him, he would not hesitate. Under the premise that he killed the other party in self-defense, plus the weight of the disaster relief booklet, in any case, it was already a sufficient insurance.
With the added insurance, it satisfied Elder Qin and Elder Kang's desire to save the country and the people, and paved the way for Nie Yunzhu's future. He could still live leisurely, which was naturally the best result. He was a businessman, and everything was equal exchange. In this action, everyone benefited, and no one owed each other. It was very good, and he also satisfied his compassion in saving people. This year, maybe there would be fewer people dying of illness and starvation. Why not pull a hair to benefit the world?
He hadn't mentioned to her about finding a foster father for Nie Yunzhu, and he didn't know what she thought. He probably had to talk to her tomorrow morning. In the past, he only knew that she was born in a good family of officials when she was a child. Qin Siyuan had a good character, so he would not treat her badly. Of course, if she had a shadow in her heart, he still had to help her reject Qin Siyuan.
He was still thinking about this matter in his heart. When he went back in the evening, he accidentally saw Xiaochan talking with a man in a small courtyard by the gate. She seemed to be a little anxious. He saw that she was in a hurry at dinner, so he didn't take it seriously for a while. Xiaochan had to deal with some things in the courtyard. Sometimes she might be anxious, but she handled it very well. It was not until the family sat in the living room at night, chatting and playing chess that he found something wrong. The little girl sat in the corner with her head lowered, picking up the soles of her shoes. Occasionally, there was a muffled sound. Ning Yi observed for a while and called, "Xiaochan, come here."
"Well, what's the matter, son-in-law?" Xiaochan made a cheerful voice and came over with her head lowered. Ning Yi stretched out his fingers to wipe her face, only to find that the corners of her eyes were wet. He and Su Tan'er looked at each other. Su Tan'er put down the account book in her hand, walked over, looked at it a few times, and pulled her to sit down, "Chan'er, what's wrong? Did something happen? "
"Someone from home came in the afternoon and said that Father passed away two days ago …" Xiaochan bit her lip and then cried out, "I want … I want to ask Miss for a leave to go back, but Miss has been very busy recently …"
There was a moment of silence in the room.
"You actually didn't say anything about this? I'll ask … uh, Chief Steward Chang to accompany you back. You're just a maidservant, why are you worried about the affairs of the fu … "Su Tan'er hugged her with both arms, then glared at her and said in a somewhat harsh tone.
"But Chief Steward Chang is also very busy. If the gates are closed and we can't come back …"
Chief Steward Chang was the steward with the highest position in the first branch. Having him accompany her showed how much the Su family valued Chan'er. Of course, there was originally no need for such a standard, but Su Tan'er had grown up with several maidservants and were as close as sisters. In fact, Chan'er was also a good steward in the fu. At this moment, Su Tan'er shook her head.
"I said don't think about this. Chan'er, go back in peace and bury Uncle. Come back after you've settled everything. We're as close as sisters after so many years. If it wasn't for the fact that I have something to do recently, I would have accompanied you back. "
"Miss …" Chan'er had already begun to cry. Juan'er and Xing'er had already gathered over with reddened eyes.
Ning Yi thought for a moment, "Then … I'll accompany Xiaochan back."
Xiaochan turned around and reached out to wipe her tears, "Son-in-law …"
"Xiaochan has taken care of me for so long. Since Chief Steward Chang has something to do, Tan'er, you can't go. I, on the other hand, am an idle person. If I go, I'll show my attitude. What do you think? "
There was a moment of silence on the other side. Xiaochan wiped her tears. She felt quite moved, "Son-in-law, Son-in-law can't go … Son-in-law's hand hasn't recovered yet …"
Su Tan'er held Chan'er in her arms and looked at Ning Yi with a smile for a while. Then she nodded slightly and touched Chan'er's cheek, "That's good. Then I'll have to trouble Husband to go and bring Protector Geng with me. Now there are disaster victims coming one after another. Husband and Xiaochan must be careful on the way …"
*****
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