Chapter 880 Shen Lian's Loss
"Tang Shunzhi went to Xin'an Lane."
The Jinyiwei was well-informed. Lu Bing called Shen Lian over and said, "Xin'an Lane held a big banquet. Tang Shunzhi went to the Bo's house. What do you think Jiang Qingzhi was celebrating for?"
"The new policy is off to a good start!" Shen Lian said without hesitation.
"A good start." Lu Bing narrowed his eyes, thinking of his family members who had previously come to him to ask for instructions on how to deal with the matter of land inventory.
"Yan Song is the first one, he is a civil servant. Qiu Luan is a noble relative, Cui Yuan is a relative by marriage, the only one missing is a general." Shen Lian suddenly thought of Tang Shunzhi. At this critical moment, he went to the Bo Mansion... What was he trying to do?
Isn't he afraid of getting into trouble?
"Tang Shunzhi is a great talent." Lu Bing said slowly, "You can go and get in touch with him, and if possible... bring him over."
"Difficult." Shen Lian shook his head.
"It's always good to try." Lu Bing's eyes were slightly cold. "The capital and the world seem to be calm at the moment, but in fact, there is a storm coming. Many people are waiting and watching, just like a pile of firewood poured with oil, just waiting for a spark. The situation is like a tide, everyone is in danger, I need manpower."
He has no shortage of people who can take action, but he lacks advisers.
Everyone knows that Tang Shunzhi is a talented person. The Yan Party tried to win him over and promised him a future, but Tang Shunzhi ignored them altogether.
"Tell him I leave him free to come and go."
Shen Lian glanced at Lu Bing. This commander seemed gentle, but in fact he was the most vindictive and petty. Just like him, after coming to Jinyiwei, he also thought about leaving. But he just had a thought and was suppressed by Lu Bing.
"Yes."
Shen Lian arrived at Xin'an Lane. Under a big tree at the entrance of the lane, several beggars were squatting there, eating and drinking with big bowls in their hands.
The alley was bustling with noises, laughter, shouting, and finger-guessing…
Shen Lian was a little curious, so he walked over to the beggars and asked, "Why don't you go to the buffet?"
Is it possible that I am disliked?
Jiang Qingzhi once said that there are classes in the world, but in his eyes there are no classes. We are all human beings, and no one is more noble than anyone else.
So, what about these beggars?
Shen Lian inexplicably wanted to find evidence that Jiang Qingzhi was not speaking the truth, as if he could gain a sense of superiority by doing so.
The old beggar looked up at him and said, "We are dirty."
"Being disliked?" Shen Lian was a little excited. "Didn't Long Wei say that people are equal, regardless of their social status?"
"Ah!" The old beggar sighed, licked the soup on his chopsticks, and said, "My uncle never despised us, but we should know what's good for us. We are stinky and dirty. Even if the neighbors don't say anything, they can eat delicious food with the stink in their noses. Who would like that?"
Shen Lian was startled, "You have some method in speaking."
"Haha!" The old beggar laughed, "You are covered with thorns, be careful or you might get thorns when you go in."
"Oh!" Shen Lian glanced at him and walked into the alley.
"Wang Tou." A beggar walked up to the old beggar, squatted down and asked, "Why are you targeting him?"
The old beggar took a mouthful of food, squinted his eyes and enjoyed it. After swallowing, he said, "It's obvious that this guy is here to cause trouble. He's a thorn. By the way, there have been a lot of strangers coming recently. Keep an eye on them. If you find anything wrong, report to the Earl's Mansion."
"Don't worry, Wangtou."
"By the way, Wangtou, the Bofu said they want to give us something... a coat that can be used as a quilt."
"This is a token of my love, just accept it." The old beggar looked at the men standing beside him, sneered, and said, "If you warm your body, your heart will be warmed too. I'll get you a few more later."
"Want to take action?"
The old beggar nodded. "It looks cold today. It's not surprising that a few people froze to death."
After the buffet was set up in the alley, the passage in the middle became much narrower, and one had to be careful of children suddenly jumping out. Shen Lian frowned and walked to the main door of the Bo's Mansion. At this moment, the side door was open and someone came out with dishes.
When Menzi saw Shen Lian, he thought for a moment and said, "It must be Shen Lianli!"
"It's me." Shen Lian said, "I have something to see Mr. Jing Chuan about. Please let me know."
"Okay. Would you like to come in and have a cup of tea?" asked Menzi.
"No need."
Shen Lian turned around and looked at the neighbors who were enjoying the feast. The old man grabbed his grandson who wanted to run away, stuffed a piece of fat into his mouth, and gave him a piece of cake. The grandson broke free from his grandfather's restraints and ran to the side to play with his friends. The grandfather was drinking with the neighbors while distractedly watching him, his eyes full of love.
The men gathered together, drank, and talked about what was happening outside, and the topic of their conversation turned to the new policy.
"This is the flesh of a nobleman. With the flesh of a nobleman, the court will be more well-off and our lives will be better."
"That's what... robbing the rich to help the poor."
"Yes, rob the rich and give to the poor."
"It is said that the uncle insisted on it."
"The uncle is one of us, and he always considers us when doing things. Look, even if he is a noble, he will have to pay taxes in the future."
"That's a good feeling."
"As long as you pay taxes, we won't feel bad about paying taxes."
Shen Lian frowned slightly, wondering if Jiang Qingzhi was trying to win people's hearts?
Yes.
The most important thing about the new policy is not the means, but the people's support.
Why was Shang Yang's reform successful?
The support of the monarch is one thing, but the fundamental thing is that the reform itself brings benefits to the majority of people.
--fair!
No matter who you are, your title will be determined according to your merits.
How many levels does it take to kill one person? How many levels does it take to kill two people...
As long as you have the ability and courage, no one can covet your merits. Merits can be exchanged for land and rewards, which is an opportunity to change social class.
Everyone can see the opportunity to make the big leap, so who would not support Shang Yang's reforms?
Have.
Those with vested interests.
They could have relied on their status to gain privileges and wealth for generations. But Shang Yang's reforms took away those privileges with a single blow. If you want to keep your status, you have to strive for merit.
The nobles, who were so delicate and precious, actually had to compete for credit with a group of peasants... What angered the nobles the most about Shang Yang's reforms was that the princes were punished the same as the common people when they broke the law. The favored sons of heaven had to obey the law and follow the rules just like those peasants!
Shang Yang's severe punishments made the entire Qin State live under strict rules. Over time, even the common people became quite dissatisfied.
Emphasizing agriculture and suppressing commerce will offend merchants.
Each and every one of them is a way to seek death.
And now?
Shen Lian smelled the aroma of braised pork and sniffed, "Jiang Qingzhi is smart. He won over the people and gave them benefits."
Shen Lian has always been curious and wary of Jiang Qingzhi.
This person's appearance was very abrupt. He was the cousin of Emperor Jiajing, and he was finally found after years of searching. Once he came to Beijing and became a close minister of Emperor Jiajing, this path was predictable and not surprising.
But after arriving in Beijing, Jiang Qingzhi's series of actions made people see his extraordinary qualities.
This was not something an ordinary teenager could do. His vision and methods reminded Shen Lian of Tang Shunzhi.
Extremely smart!
They are all extremely smart people!
Shen Lian, like Xu Wei, was very arrogant, but he had to bow his head under the brilliance of Tang Shunzhi.
He was unwilling to admit that Jiang Qingzhi could stand shoulder to shoulder with Tang Shunzhi. When the news came that Jiang Qingzhi had led his army to a great victory, no matter how uncomfortable Shen Lian felt, he could only admit that Jiang Qingzhi was no less capable than Tang Shunzhi, and perhaps... even better.
Several of his poems shocked the literati.
Wu led the army to fight and turned the tide.
Young people like this should enjoy wealth and prosperity, right?
Jiang Qingzhi, however, strongly advocated the necessity of implementing the new policy, even saying... If there is no reform, the Ming Dynasty will only last a hundred years at most.
This is alarmist!
Shen Lian sneered and then sighed.
But Tang Shunzhi felt that Jiang Qingzhi was right.
"Chunfu."
Tang Shunzhi's voice came from behind. Shen Lian turned around and saw that his face was slightly red, but he still had a gentle smile and was wearing a cloth shirt and straw sandals.
"Brother Yingde." Shen Lian bowed. After the two exchanged a few pleasantries, Tang Shunzhi said, "Would you like to go in for a drink?"
"No." Shen Lian said. He looked at Tang Shunzhi and said softly, "The storm in the capital is strong. If you are not careful, you will be swept into it. Lu Bing wants to invite you to be his staff. He said that you can come and go freely. Brother Yingde can go there temporarily and decide whether to stay or go when the storm calms down."
Since Tang Shunzhi fell out with the School of Mind, he has been wandering around the world like a lone ranger. Without the School of Mind, his former supporter, the powerful officials tried to win him over, hoping to find a great talent as their aide.
Tang Shunzhi was a man of such character that he naturally rejected all of their requests.
The nobles had very bad tempers, so some people threatened them, saying that it was not easy to live in the capital.
This was a threat to Tang Shunzhi. If he didn't obey, he would be in trouble.
There were many people of Xinxue in the officialdom. With them around, the powerful officials were a little bit afraid of Tang Shunzhi and did not dare to force him to recruit him. In history, Zhao Wenhua made a move, but Tang Shunzhi refused. Zhao Wenhua was able to endure it because he was afraid of the people of Xinxue behind him.
So Shen Lian thought this was a good way to have the best of both worlds.
Furthermore, after coming into contact with Lu Bing, those people who want to attack Tang Shunzhi in the future will have to worry about whether Lu Bing will help them.
"Is this Lu Bing's intention?" Tang Shunzhi asked.
"Yes." Shen Lian disdained to lie and said that it was his own idea.
"No need." Tang Shunzhi said in one voice, "I'm fine now."
He saw the implication behind this invitation at a glance. Shen Lian said, "It's been rough lately."
"I know." Tang Shunzhi smiled, "I appreciate your kindness."
Shen Lian sighed, "You have been wandering around the country without a stable mind. You are a talented person with a good reputation, but the more people you invite, the more people you offend. It's not appropriate to have no backer...
Lu Bing has a bad reputation, but he always praises you. When you go to Jinyiwei, he will definitely treat you as a guest of honor..."
"No need." Tang Shunzhi refused again. Just when Shen Lian was disappointed, Tang Shunzhi said, "I am now in Xin'an Lane."
"Hmm! Hmm?" Shen Lian was startled and asked, "You... moved here?"
"No." Tang Shunzhi shook his head. "I was traveling in the south this time. I wanted to go out to sea to have a look, but I saw countless drawbacks in the south. Chunfu, the Ming Dynasty has reached the point where it has to change. I am also thinking about action after being quiet for a long time. I want to do something for the people of the world..."
"Then take up a career as an official!" Shen Lian's eyes lit up. As long as Tang Shunzhi was willing to take up a career as an official, Xinxue would accept him again.
After all, Mr. Jing Chuan, a free and easy-going man, is not as valuable as Tang Shunzhi, an official.
"I'm recommending myself today." Tang Shunzhi smiled gently, "Come to Xin'an Lane to help Chang Wei Bo do some work..."
Shen Lian didn't listen to what was said afterwards.
His head was buzzing.
Tang Shunzhi was actually willing to assist Jiang Qingzhi!
This seemingly gentle Mr. Jing Chuan, who was actually more proud than himself and Xu Wei and others, and looked down on the meat eaters of the time, actually...
"Mr. Jingchuan, I asked you to go drink!"
"I'm coming."
"Chunfu..." Tang Shunzhi looked at Shen Lian.
Shen Lian forced a smile, "Go to hell."
"See you later." Tang Shunzhi walked over with a smile. Xu Wei grabbed him and whispered, "We'll work together later to get the uncle drunk..."
"Oh! Why?"
"Mr. Jingchuan, don't you want to listen to the wise words of the uncle?"
"Alright."
(End of this chapter)
