Luo Min smiled, and said embarrassingly: "I just went down to the bottom of the river embankment and accidentally stepped on the mud. I lost my composure, lost my composure."
Lin Wanrong saw the old man's rare shyness, he laughed and said, "It doesn't matter if I see it, but if the inspectors of the Inspectorate see you like this, I'm afraid it will be difficult for them to do business."
Luo Min said: "Why do I work so hard? Isn't it for the benefit of the people in Jiangsu Province? Even if those inspectors and censors sue the emperor, I dare to say so."
Lin Wanrong smiled and said, "Succeed before the emperor? I think Lord Luo is looking forward to this day. After a few insults, let the emperor see that you love the people like a son, this is really a good business."
Lin Wanrong is very familiar with this kind of thing. The old fox said it nicely. Lin Wanrong didn't believe anything about "benefiting the people in Jiangsu Province".
Luo Min knew that he couldn't hide it from him, so she smiled sarcastically and said, "I'm not hiding it, brother Lin, what you said is indeed true. But if I can be promoted and benefit the common people, why don't I do such a good thing?"
This old Luo is true to Lin Wanrong. He was also an ambitious person in the past, but now that he looks at his big belly, he knows that those ambitions have already rotted in his stomach.
Luo Min called Luo Ning to bring her a clean official uniform. Seeing Lin Wanrong looking at Luo Ning, Luo Min said softly to him: "Brother Lin, what did you talk to Ning'er just now? I saw her as if It looks very happy."
When did I change from Mr. Lin to Brother Lin? I just met twice. This Luo Min is really acquainted. "It's nothing. It's just talking about ideals and life." Lin Wanrong said boldly.
"That's all?" Luo Min blinked her eyes in disbelief.
"Then what do you want us to talk about?" Lin Wanrong said with a smile. The more you look at this Luo Min, the less he looks like Luo Ning's real father. Grow into this coquettish look. How can she give birth to such a beautiful daughter? It is estimated that Xiao Luo's siblings are all like her mother.
"Ning'er not only looks like her mother, but also has a very similar personality. She is independent and assertive, with a bit of a noble personality. I rarely see anyone who can get along with her like that." Luo Min sighed, as if In the memory of his dead wife who passed away many years ago.
Lin Wanrong didn't have time to listen to his gossip, so he cut to the chase and said, "Master Luo, you asked me to come here. It's not just as simple as talking with me."
Luo Min laughed and said, "You had such a good chat with my brother that you almost forgot about the business. Brother Lin, how do you feel after seeing the embankment?"
"Very good, the scale is very large, there are many people, and it is very lively." Lin Wanrong pretended to be confused.
Luo Min smiled wryly, "Is that all?"
Lin Wanrong wondered, "What else do you want me to know?"
When a fox meets a fox, patience is more important than anything else, but Luo Min is so impatient, she can't bear it and said: "I will tell you the truth, brother Lin. I invited you here to investigate today, just to ask you to help me think of a way. Get some silver as soon as possible."
I knew that you, an old fox, had no good intentions. As expected, this was the case. Lin Wanrong said strangely: "Looking for money? Mr. Luo, you are the head of a province in Jiangsu, and all the financial power is in your hands. How can you worry about money?" ?”
Luo Min sighed: "Brother, you don't know something. I, the governor of Jiangsu, look at the glory, but I feel bitter inside. Jiangnan is abundant, the world is full, this is true, but Jiangsu's annual tax revenue is closely monitored by the higher-ups." I'm staring at you. Now the north is not peaceful, and next year there will be a war with the Hu people, and there will be troubles in the White Lotus Sect. There are plenty of places to use money. All the taxes in my Jiangsu province have been paid to the treasury, and even the rest of the money will not be paid. No."
There is some truth to this statement. The governor of Jiangsu is such a big fat job. I don’t know how many people are staring at him. I really have to worry about doing something. Besides, now that the country is in crisis and money is not enough, it is normal for Jiangsu to serve as a granary.
"This year, the Ministry of Household Affairs allocated a total of 10,000 taels of silver to the river defense in Jiangsu Province. Take Jinling City as an example. If the dams are not repaired in time for winter, the Xuanwu Lake will overflow when the rainy season comes in April and May next year." , coupled with the flood from the upper reaches of the Yangtze River, when the time comes, both inside and outside will be flooded, and the city will be destroyed and people will die, this is by no means alarmist." Luo Min said helplessly, with deep worry on his face.
"For the water control of the city of Jinling alone, the embankment of the Yangtze River costs more than a thousand taels of silver every day. There are thousands of miles of rivers in Jiangsu Province, and more than 21 counties. In addition to the natural dangers of the Yangtze River, there are also needs of the Huaihe River, Taihu Lake, and Hongze Lake. Governance. Calculated, there is a gap of more than 200,000 taels of silver, what should I do?" Luo Min complained.
Lin Wanrong thought for a while, and said: "Master Luo, with all due respect, this water control strategy cannot be completed overnight. It can take ten years at least, or a hundred years at most, and it can't be done in a hurry."
Luo Min nodded and said: "I also know that there is no need to rush, but I don't want to repeat the same mistakes. In order to keep Jinling, the great flood four years ago was forced to release water in the upper suburbs, flooding thousands of miles of fertile fields. I am really ashamed of this. Fathers of Jiangsu."
This is no wonder, it turned out that there was a tragic experience, upstream flood discharge, to protect important targets, this is no way, and it is understandable to be scolded by the common people.
Lin Wanrong said: "Master Luo, I admire your determination. It's just about raising money, you should discuss it with the master in the house. I'm just a small servant, at most I can run a restaurant and earn a little money. Saying that doesn't help."
Luo Dun sighed: "To tell you the truth, brother, I have done everything that should be done, such as fundraising, apportionment, all kinds of means have been used, but the gap of hundreds of thousands of taels of silver, how can I make up for it?" Can it come up? Without the silver, the Yangtze River embankment will stop working in a few days. If the embankment is not completed before the frost, next year the flood will come, and we will be helpless.”
"Brother Lin, Ning'er mentioned to me that you are nimble, quick-witted, and quick-witted. She once asked you for help. That's why I took the liberty to invite you here, and I also asked you to help me, brother. It is also for the benefit of the people of Jiangsu. It's gone." Luo Min spoke so sincerely that even Lin Wanrong couldn't tell the truth from the fake.
Alas, it turned out that the girl Luo Ning recommended me to his father. Said that Lao Tzu is good at making money. It's just that I can do it again. Not in the blink of an eye. Get you hundreds of thousands of taels of silver? If you have the ability. I'm still standing here talking nonsense to you, and I went straight home to count the money and play.
"Master Luo, I have no official, no right and no money, how can I help you?" Lin Wanrong smiled wryly.
"No official, no power, no money, but brother Lin, you have intelligence and intelligence. This is something you can't buy with ten thousand taels of gold." Luo Min flattered her.
Judging by Luo Min's appearance, she was indeed desperate, otherwise she wouldn't have gone to the doctor in such a hurry. Lin Wanrong grew up by the river, so he naturally knew what the embankment meant to ordinary people. This Luo Min really looked like he wanted to do something practical. He sighed and thought, Mom, do you really want me to be the savior for once
Lin Wanrong walked up and down on the embankment, thinking silently. Luo Min didn't speak either.
Luo Ning over there looked up, but saw that the two people on the river embankment were all frowning, she sighed in her heart, could it be that even Brother Lin, a profiteer, can't do anything about it
Lin Wanrong walked a few steps, then turned around suddenly, and said firmly, "Master Luo, I can help you think of this method, but whether you can do it, and whether you are afraid of being scolded, this is up to you."
Luo Min said happily: "Just say it, I, Luo Min, have not been scolded once or twice, and one more time, it's nothing."
Lin Wanrong nodded. This old Luo has no shortcomings except for his big belly and slippery personality.
"Master Luo, how many people are needed to build the embankment?" Lin Wanrong asked.
"We still need at least 3,000 strong men." Luo Min replied, "But we have already run out of money and food, so it may not be feasible to recruit more men."
Lin Wanrong said: "If you want to recruit men with money, of course it won't work, but there are still many strong men in the south of the Yangtze River who don't need to pay, why don't you take advantage of them?"
Luo Min said happily: "Where is there such a strong man?"
"Jiangsu Commander's subordinates, three battalions of soldiers and horses, more than tens of thousands of people, are all living on land, food and wages, and there is no battle to fight right now, why not invite them to repair the embankment?" Lin Wanrong said lightly.
Luo Min was startled, and recruited soldiers to repair the water conservancy. This idea is really bold, but Dahua has never had such a regulation, can it work
Luo Min sighed and said: "Brother Lin, you are not in the officialdom, so you don't know the knowledge here. Cheng De, the commander of the capital of Jiangsu, although he is under my control in name, has never listened to my orders. If you want to conscript I'm afraid it will be difficult for his soldiers to get through."
Lin Wanrong shook his head and said, "Lord Luo, this is something you need to consider. I'm just helping you think about it."
Luo Min frowned, Lin Wanrong shook his head and said with a smile: "It's up to man, if this Cheng De doesn't listen to orders, you can sue him. Don't say anything else, just grab his disregard for the life and death of the people, and sue him in the capital, sue him Go to the emperor, it’s best to let everyone know today, let the people in Jiangsu know him. Maybe someone will come to his door in the middle of the night to throw shit.”
Luo Min didn't understand what he meant, that he wanted to make Cheng De a bad name, and it would be best to make the masters behind him bad by the way, forcing them to send troops to repair water conservancy.
Luo Min gritted her teeth and said: "So, I will give an order to Cheng De tonight, and at the same time, I will report it to the imperial court urgently in eight hundred miles, requesting the Ministry of War to transfer the order, and then give the emperor a report."
"Master Luo, according to my Dahua law, what crime should it be for disobeying the constitution?" Lin Wanjing said softly.
"If it is light, he will be dismissed, if it is serious, he will be beheaded." Luo Min said.
"In this way, you took the order from the Ministry of War to ask Cheng De to send troops. If he didn't obey, you would kill him on the spot. It's not an exaggeration?" Lin Wanrong said intentionally or unintentionally.
Luo Min was startled, and thought to himself, this Mr. Lin was indeed a bit ruthless, he nodded and said: "According to Dahua's law, it is like this."
Lin Wanrong smiled and said: "My lord, I have come up with a solution for you. Whether you can solve it or not is up to you. Let's talk about money next."
Luo Min nodded, there was no other way at the moment, just as Lin Wanrong said, if Cheng De didn't get tough, he would never give in.
"Lord Luo, what do you think is the most profitable industry in Jinling City?"
Luo Min thought for a while and replied, "Restaurant!"
Lin Wanrong vomited blood, you old fox, do you want to get my restaurant idea? He smiled sarcastically and said, "Master Luo, don't be joking. The most profitable business in Jinling City is the brothel. By the Qinhuai River, There are many brothels, let’s say there are hundreds of houses, they are selling gold. Of course, the girls in the brothels, they sell smiling faces, and they are in the flesh and blood business. They should earn a little money. But most of the money, But it didn’t fall on these sisters, wouldn’t your lord think of a way from here?”
A light flashed in Luo Min's eyes and said, "You mean, tax increase?"
"It is not necessary to increase the tax. New taxes can be introduced. My lord, on the Qinhuai River, every inch of land is expensive. There can be many names for this tax, such as house ownership tax, land value-added tax, and industry additional tax. There are so many names. I can’t count them all.” Lin Wanrong said with a smile.
For industries such as brothels, the addition of new taxes is indeed very attractive, but as Lin Wanrong said, although it only touches the interests of a small number of people, it is conceivable how much infamy it will receive.
Seeing his hesitation, Lin Wanrong cursed secretly, you old fox, you don't want to offend others, and you want to be a good official praised by the people, is there such a cheap thing in the world
Luo Min nodded and said: "Brother Lin's words are very reasonable. I think not only brothels, but all industries with huge profits can be taxed heavily. This way the scope of involvement is not large, and it can be supported by the people. What do you think?"
As he spoke, he narrowed his eyes and glanced at Lin Wanrong, but there was a lot of meaning on his face.
Lin Wanrong's heart skipped a beat. Damn, this old fox won't impose heavy taxes on my perfume and soap, will he? Damn, this time he shot himself in the foot.
Luo Min seemed to see through his thoughts, and said with a sly smile: "Brother Lin, the profit of your restaurant is very meager, and the Xiao family's affairs have just started, and this tax will not be levied on you for the time being. "
This old fox took advantage of me, and came to sell my babe. Lin Wanrong was angry and funny, and was about to speak, when she saw Luo Ning over there personally bringing two cups of tea, and said with a coquettish smile, "Father, Big Brother Lin." , you are all tired, drink some tea."
With Lin Wanrong's advice, Luo Min was in a very good mood, took a sip of the tea and said, "Ning'er, Mr. Lin has been of great help."
Luo Ning had just seen that they had a happy conversation and came here to inquire about the news. Hearing this, she said happily, "Really, Brother Lin?"
Lin Wanrong smiled slightly, but before he could speak, he heard a noise and cursing from afar.
The three hurriedly looked up. But it turned out that when a 40-50-year-old peasant passed by with a mud bag, he saw the geniuses painting and saw the gods. The sand fell down and landed on Hou Yuebai's table, turning the picture of Jiangshan The bird's eye view is smudged.
The man, a grass-roots man, had never been in such a disaster, his face was pale with fright, his legs were trembling, and he raised his sleeve tremblingly to wipe the trace, but the more he wiped, the more dirty he became.
"Young master, the little old man didn't mean it." The old man knelt down on the ground in fright, kowtowed and cried.
Warriors love knives, while literati love paintings. This map of mountains and rivers was specially made by Hou Yuebai to please Luo Ning. Seeing that it was destroyed by a vulgar person, how could he not be furious, and he kicked the old man in the face hard. Going up, he said angrily: "You mud-legged pariah, do you see this painting?"
Pa, Lin Wanrong was so angry that he threw the teacup on the ground, rushed up a few steps, grabbed a young man who was carrying sand and said, "Brother, do you want to make money?"
"think."
Lin Wanrong took out ten taels of silver from his pocket, picked up another stone, handed them to him together, and said, "I'll pay ten taels of silver, you come with me."
The man asked, "Brother, what are you going to do?"
Lin Wanrong looked at Hou Yuebai, gritted his teeth and said, "Beat him."