Chapter 901: bargain hunting
Jiang Qingzhi has been waiting for someone to show up, the higher the title, the better.
So when he learned that the person causing trouble was just a marquis, he was greatly disappointed.
Straight House.
Zhu Xizhong and Jiang Qingzhi sat opposite each other. Zhu Xizhong sighed and said, "Han De is unlucky to meet you. His ancestor once saved Emperor Chengzu, so he got the Iron Scroll. Han De is unscrupulous with the Iron Scroll in hand, and Your Majesty turned a blind eye to it, which is also considered to appease the powerful. He must have a reason for coming forward this time."
"It's nothing more than someone's promise." Jiang Qingzhi said calmly: "Old Zhu, the new generation replaces the old. If you want people to fight for the new policy, you have to let them see the benefits. Those powerful people who are occupying the toilet without doing anything should give up their positions."
Zhu Xizhong smiled bitterly, "I knew you were doing this. It's a pity that those dignitaries thought they were strong, but they didn't know that Your Majesty and you were deliberately forcing them into a desperate situation step by step. If they knew, I bet that those dignitaries would shrink at home and dare not show their heads."
Jiang Qingzhi was silent, and Zhu Xizhong said, "Since you dislike these powerful people, why don't you send the Jinyiwei out, but instead suggest that Your Majesty use the Dongchang?"
The Embroidered Uniform Guards were the emperor's lackeys, while the Eastern Depot were the emperor's household slaves.
"Using the Embroidered Uniform Guard has a bit of a public-spirited flavor, while using the Eastern Depot is a family affair." Jiang Qingzhi previously sent someone to ask Emperor Jiajing for instructions, and the Taoist's reply was: Just do it.
"Family?"
Zhu Xizhong raised his eyebrows, "Have you ever thought of slapping them to death?"
"I've never thought about it." Jiang Qingzhi smiled complacently. "If we overthrow this group of powerful people, where will so many people come from to fill the power gap? In the end, it will only be a wedding dress for those scholars. What we have to do is, step by step... moisten things silently. Have you heard the story of the frog boiled in warm water?"
"No."
"Boil a pot of hot water and throw a frog in, and the frog will jump out immediately. If you put cold water in first, the frog will enjoy itself in the water. Slowly light a fire underneath and the water will slowly heat up... By the time the frog realizes something is wrong, its skin and flesh have already rotted away."
"Pushing them step by step, forcing them to make continuous concessions, this is cannibalization!"
"Yes." Jiang Qingzhi smiled, "What's the method?"
"Great!" Zhu Xizhong cupped his hands and said sincerely, "Is this method similar to the Art of War?"
Jiang Qingzhi nodded. Compared with daily training, he preferred to study the complete set of military strategies in the study.
Later generations read the complete set of military tactics, but they had no chance to practice them, so they just read them in vain. Jiang Qingzhi was different. He combined theory with practice. The more he learned, the more he found the mysteries and gained a lot.
"As for Dalang... you should find a chance to teach him a lesson. Damn it, your Majesty and your attitude towards the rich and powerful give me chills. If the Chengguo family wants to survive for a long time, they must find a foundation to stand on. Eh!"
Zhu Xizhong looked up at Jiang Qingzhi. "When Dalang wanted to join the army, you must have persuaded him. Later, when your sister-in-law and I disagreed, it was you who guaranteed it... Boy! Qingzhi, brother... you! Is it true?"
Jiang Qingzhi sighed, "I told you not to be attached to the fields and people. There are many ways to make a fortune, why should you be attached to a single flower..."
Zhu Xizhong coughed dryly and said uncomfortably: "You son of a bitch, you have been working hard for your brother's family, but you never told them. Your sister-in-law even said that Qingzhi is selfless... The old woman is mocking you! If she knew about this, she would probably wipe her tears and say something... Qingzhi is indeed a good brother, prepare the car, I'm going to Xin'an Lane to talk to my sister-in-law..."
"Don't be so sentimental!" Jiang Qingzhi was a little uncomfortable with Lao Zhu's words. "Since we are brothers, it is natural for me to plan for you and Dalang. Why do you say it out loud?"
"At least let me know the number." Zhu Xizhong scolded, "Do you know that I, your brother, have only slept two hours a day recently? Your sister-in-law has been sighing all night, saying that our family has so many fields and people, we should report them all...it would be better to give them up. If we don't report them, Qingzhi will have a hard time living. If things go wrong, people might use this as an excuse to attack him, saying that he says one thing and does another...I am so tired of this woman that I want to divorce her."
But even so, Zhu Xizhong and his wife still had no complaints when facing Jiang Qingzhi and his wife.
This friendship!
Jiang Qingzhi stood up and walked over.
"stand up!"
"Why are you getting up?" Zhu Xizhong muttered as he stood up.
Jiang Qingzhi hugged him, harder and harder.
"Thanks, bro."
Zhu Xizhong opened his arms and said, "Why are you so affectionate, kid?"
He then hugged Jiang Qingzhi tightly and patted his back, "We are all planning for each other. I remember this friendship, and your sister-in-law knows it too. So, if you have something to say, just speak up, don't keep it to yourself.
Even though we don't have your ability, we can at least help you.
Besides, 99% of the problems in the world can be solved with money. When it comes to money, who is my Duke's Mansion afraid of? What's mine is yours. If you need money, just ask for it. "
"Yes! I know." Jiang Qingzhi let go of his hand and looked at his elder brother, "Da Lang needs to calm down, so I left him in the Tiger Guards to get rid of his arrogance."
"After returning this time, Dalang has changed a lot." Zhu Xizhong said: "He seems to be much more mature, but also a little more unfamiliar."
"It's Aoran!" Jiang Qingzhi knew the truth. "That kid thinks he has killed the enemy and done a great deed. This is a great feat that the Chengguo family hasn't done in many years! He joined the army to kill the enemy and made great contributions, bringing glory to the family. The kid is proud."
"So you want to give him the cold shoulder for a while."
"Yes. Young man, being cold is not a bad thing." Jiang Qingzhi smiled, "By the way, tell my sister-in-law later that fields and other things will be worthless after a while."
Zhu Xizhong slapped his forehead. "Yes, once the tax is collected, the land in the hands of those powerful people will be accumulated. If there is no profit, they will definitely sell it. At that time... who the hell is willing to buy it?"
"Those who don't pay taxes are naturally willing to buy, but the prince broke the law, and he is guilty of the same crime as the common people!" Jiang Qingzhi grinned and said, "Most of the good land in the capital area is occupied by the powerful and the literati, and the price of land is high. This time I want to bring down the price of land..."
"What?"
“Acquisition!!”
"Brother, once the taxes are paid, the remaining profits... you might as well go begging!" Zhu Xizhong sighed, "I know all about this." "It was the court and Your Majesty who purchased it," said Jiang Qingzhi.
"Who are you collecting it for?"
"You will know then."
Jiang Qingzhi said: "I call this bottom fishing."
"It's not too late to take action now!"
Zhu Xizhong hurried back home and called the housekeeper.
"Find some reliable men immediately."
Dozens of servants gathered in the hall, and Zhu Xizhong said, "You should go to various places quietly and sell all the fields."
The housekeeper was startled, "Duke! Selling land?"
Zhu Xizhong nodded. He was worried that the Duke's wife would be reluctant to let him go, so he took action as soon as he got home, not giving the old woman a chance to react.
Dozens of people were shocked.
The housekeeper asked, "But we are short of money? If so, we can borrow some. The land is our ancestral property and must not be sold."
In the housekeeper’s opinion, as long as the land remains, the Duke’s Mansion is still the Duke’s Mansion.
"Don't say anything more. I have made up my mind." Zhu Xizhong said in a deep voice, "You should set off immediately. When you get there, check the market price and sell it immediately. Remember, don't hesitate."
The housekeeper looked at Zhu Xizhong steadily, "Did the Duke drink?"
"Drink shit!" said Zhu Xizhong.
"Then... then he must have been possessed by evil spirits!" The housekeeper said firmly, "Let's ask a Taoist priest to take a look. If that doesn't work, we can go to the temple and burn some incense."
"Go quickly!" Zhu Xizhong stood up, thinking that he had been confused recently and had forgotten about this matter. But it seemed that it was what my brother said... He was blinded by greed and only saw the pain of losing flesh, and forgot about the crisis.
"My Lord!" The housekeeper looked at Zhu Xizhong in panic, "No! That is our ancestral heritage! It is the foundation of the Duke's Mansion that has been passed down from generation to generation! If the foundation is moved, the Duke's Mansion will be like a rootless duckweed! No!"
"Fools!" Zhu Xizhong sighed; "Now the land inspection outside is in full swing, those people are reluctant to leave, full of anger, and have not thought about the follow-up. Once they react and find that the land has become useless, how many people will sell their land? At that time, the land will be worthless. Go quickly!"
When the Duke's wife heard the commotion ahead, she sent someone to investigate.
"Ma'am, it's not good."
The maid who went to get the news went in and said, "The Duke wants to sell all the land in the family."
"What?" The Duke's wife was startled, then she closed her eyes. "No wonder I said I forgot something recently. That's it. Then the land will be a burden in my hands. Selling it... is fine!"
"The Duke is here."
Zhu Xizhong strode in and glanced at the maid who had just yelled, "Detain her and interrogate her!"
The maid knelt down, "Duke, I..."
"Shouting and yelling, what kind of family rules are these?" The Duke's wife sneered, "Are you trying to tip off someone? Detain him and interrogate him."
Once the couple got over their reluctance, they immediately regained their former shrewdness.
Zhu Xizhong sat down and said sternly: "Anyone present today is not allowed to talk to outsiders or leave the backyard within ten days. Those who violate the rules will be treated as spies of other families!"
"Yes."
The Duke's wife waved her hand, and after everyone had left, she smiled and said, "I had actually forgotten about this matter. Fortunately, my husband remembered it. Otherwise, if the land price had dropped, our family would have suffered a huge loss."
The amount of land owned by the Duke's Mansion is enormous. If the price fluctuates a little, the money lost would be enough to make ordinary dignitaries feel distressed.
"Qingzhi reminded me of this." Zhu Xizhong looked at his wife and said, "Qingzhi had already planned this. He still remembered that Dalang had joined the army..."
"I remember! How is it related to this matter?"
"At that time, Qingzhi was planning for our future." Zhu Xizhong sighed, "Let Dalang join the army and become the Huben Zuowei. With Qingzhi watching over him, what can go wrong? No one will dare to suppress him if he makes achievements. Ten years later, if Dalang can rise in the army, the Duke's Mansion can be converted to a military position. My lady, this is rebuilding the foundation!"
The Duke's wife was stunned for a moment. "I was wondering... I was wondering why Qingzhi, who loves Dalang so much, would let him join the army and face danger. So that's it."
"Qingzhi has feelings for us, but he has never said anything. This brother... is even closer to me than my mother's own brother!"
"Yes. In order to compete for benefits, the brothers in those powerful families regard each other as mortal enemies. Qingzhi... someone come here!"
The Duke's wife stood up and said, "Prepare the car. Hey! The weather is good today. Let's go to Xin'an Lane to talk to my sister-in-law..."
Zhu Xizhong: “…”
(End of this chapter)
