"That's good. You've been in Ning An City for many years, and you're also the owner of a dyehouse. What do you think of the dyehouse? "Fang Yun asked.
"Sir … what do you think of the dyehouse?" Owner Liang asked cautiously.
Fang Yun laughed. "It's precisely because I have no opinion of the dyehouse that I'm asking you to speak. First, talk about the future direction of the dyehouse, then talk about its flaws. Finally, talk about why the county owned workshops aren't as profitable as the private ones and why they're constantly being forced to sell. "
Owner Liang asked doubtfully, "Sir … you really want to hear this?"
"Then what do you think I want to hear?" Fang Yun smiled.
Owner Liang didn't reply immediately. In his view, Fang Yun's sudden arrest of so many workshop owners was probably to eliminate dissidents and target Ji Zhibai or even Mount Liu.
Even the most foolish person in Ning An City knew that both the county owned workshops and the imperial workshops were banks where the nobles could withdraw money at will. The backgrounds of these workshop owners were too complicated.
Owner Liang pondered for a moment and said, "I've been in charge of the dyehouse for two years, so I'll speak a little. The dyehouse's situation is much better than before. Now, its annual profits are almost five times higher than before I took charge! Of course, this is mainly due to the efforts of the monarch, the empress dowager, and the cabinet … "
"I want to hear the truth!" The smile on Fang Yun's face vanished.
Owner Liang was shocked. He clenched his teeth and said, "Since the county magistrate says so, I can only speak the truth. The dyehouse's future? The dyehouse not only needs mechanisms, but also dyes. It seems simple, but it's actually very difficult. Yet, it's also very profitable. I'm old and about to step down as the dyehouse owner. In less than three years, the dyehouse will definitely be sold off due to insufficient profits. "
"Mm." Fang Yun was expressionless.
Ao Huang was puzzled. The dyehouse's profits were clearly very good. Why would there be problems as soon as Owner Liang stepped down? Why would it be sold off? Although Ao Huang couldn't figure out the crux of the matter, he realized that the word "sold off" was very profound.
"As for the dyehouse's flaws … I don't think it's the mechanisms, but the dyes and dyeing techniques … "
After that, Owner Liang seemed to have completely forgotten his previous thoughts. He talked non-stop about the dyehouse. In the end, even Steward Zhao could only wait outside when he arrived.
Fang Yun listened attentively, occasionally interrupting to ask Owner Liang for an explanation. He was getting to know more and more about the dyehouse.
The two of them chatted for two whole hours. Fang Yun nodded and said, "It seems that Workshop Owner Liang is indeed skilled in weaving and dyeing and is loyal to his duty. As for the process of arranging his relatives and friends to work in the dyeing house and obtaining the position of Workshop Owner, It's nothing much. "
Owner Liang's body trembled as his eyes revealed a look of fear. He realized that the man before him was a ruthless official who could capture even a High Scholar. Could there be a deeper meaning to his words?
Fang Yun then said, "I've been busy recently. Some arrangements may be delayed. However, within a month, I will ask someone from the Ministry of Works to make arrangements for you. Do you prefer to be an official or a rich man? "
Owner Liang was taken aback. He didn't dare to hide anything and subconsciously said, "I'm already old. Even if I become an official, there's no future for me. I might as well become a rich man."
"Very good. Then I will ask the Ministry of Works to draft a ten-year employment contract for you. Not only will you continue to be the dyehouse's owner, you will also receive a bonus. Currently, it is tentatively decided that you will be rewarded with ten percent of the dyehouse's profits every year. "
"Ah?" Owner Liang couldn't help but exclaim softly.
"Ah?" Ao Huang also exclaimed.
As for the surrounding yamen runners and the people waiting outside, they were all dumbfounded. How could an old scholar without much power suddenly receive ten percent of the dyehouse's profits when he was supposed to be replaced?
The dyehouse that Owner Liang was in charge of wasn't small. In addition to his previous salary, Owner Liang's annual income would reach at least two hundred taels of silver. It was equivalent to half a year's income of a small workshop!
Fang Yun smiled and said, "In view of Owner Liang's meritorious service in managing the dyehouse, the rewards haven't been rewarded. However, the rewards have not arrived yet. This county will reward Owner Liang with three hundred taels of silver. I will also apply for a noble title from the Ministry of Rites. "
Everyone inside and outside the county yamen was even more surprised.
A reward of three hundred taels of silver was already shocking enough. Applying for a noble title from the Ministry of Rites was even more unimaginable!
Although Zhao Yong also had the lowest status of a village boy, that was because his grandfather, father, and three generations of him had served Prince Qingyang. Prince Qingyang had always treated his loyal subordinates well. That was why he had the title of a village boy.
To an ordinary scholar or even an elementary scholar, Zhao Yong was like the heavens!
However, Owner Liang was only an ordinary scholar. The reason he could become the owner was because he was shrewd and ruthless. He had known Deputy County Magistrate Tao Dingnian for many years and had even given him some money. Even Fang Yun had hinted that he knew about this.
Previously, the dyehouse wasn't an oil and water workshop, so Owner Liang could naturally become the owner. However, he had turned trash into treasure, which naturally attracted the envy of others. He would soon be transferred away.
However, at the last moment, Fang Yun not only allowed him to continue being the owner of the dyehouse, but also gave him a raise and applied for a noble title for him.
Even the lowest status of a village boy was a noble title. It was something that would bring glory to his ancestors!
Everyone suddenly realized that Fang Yun was the same as Prince Qingyang. He was also a genius! Moreover, he was a genius with unlimited potential!
"How could this old man … how could this old man …" Owner Liang was so excited that he couldn't speak. The eyes of the sixty-something year old man actually turned red.
"You deserve this reward for your virtue and ability. Alright, the meeting with you is over. Right now, the owners who are being controlled by the county yamen might have lost their composure. Take my arrow of command and walk around to appease them. "As Fang Yun spoke, he ordered the bailiffs to pass the arrow of command to Owner Liang.
Owner Liang naturally understood Fang Yun's intentions. He immediately raised his head and puffed out his chest, "This official understands!" After he finished speaking, the old man turned and left the main hall with an unconcealable pride on his face.
The bailiffs outside quietly left to inform the officials who hadn't come because this matter was too important!
In the main bookkeeper's room, Shen Ren put down his teacup and looked at the bailiffs in front of him. He frowned and asked, "Fang Yun already knows that Owner Liang used Tao Dingnian's connections and sent his relative to the dyehouse. However, he didn't pursue the matter and instead rewarded and even … conferred a title?"
"Yes."
"However, he wants to put Zhao Yong or the young royal prince to death?"
"It seems like he doesn't want to let them off easily."
"This idiot! He actually gave benefits to a powerless old scholar and offended Prince Qingyang! Prince Qingyang is the closest to Prince Kang. After all, he's a relative of the imperial family and a member of the Zhao family. If Fang Yun dares to touch Prince Qingyang, he'll definitely anger the princes of the Zhao family! You may leave. "
"Yes."
Once the bailiffs left, Shen Ren immediately sent a letter to Ji Zhibai.
"Lord Ji, this guilty official apologizes to you once again. This time, I won't say anything unnecessary and will only tell you the details of what happened. It's like this … "
Not long after, Ji Zhibai sent a letter asking, "You really didn't deceive me this time?"
"I didn't deceive you, I didn't deceive you!"
"Good."
"Lord Ji, Fang Yun is so arrogant that he's affected the interests of the aristocratic families, the imperial family, and a large number of officials. Why haven't I heard of anyone causing trouble in the capital?"
"It's expected that people from the School of Legalism and the School of Medicine would speak up for Fang Yun. However, I don't know why the School of Gong would also speak up. This made the aristocratic families not dare to act rashly. If the aristocratic families don't make a move, who would dare to speak recklessly? At most, those hedonistic sons of rich families would curse Fang Yun. "
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