In the capital, the prince's staff reported to the prince the candidates for the report. The prince now has to inquire about everything in detail. After many failures, he feels that his subordinates cannot be trusted.
"Your Highness, Taoist Master Mao, the master of the Xiaoyun Temple outside the city, is well-known and has a good reputation. He has been gifted by the emperor for helping disasters and disasters. We can go and hire him."
The prince nodded slightly to express his approval, "Are you sure you can persuade him to enter the palace?"
An aide said: "This man loves fame and money very much. We are going to invite him with great fanfare. If he accepts, it will be fine. If he does not, we will let a person who has eaten his longevity pill die, so that Threatening him. If he still doesn't respond, we have to find someone else."
The prince snorted: "Kill him and find someone else. Don't let people think that those shameless people can get a good job here in this palace! Back then, Ji Wenzhao should have killed him!"
Everyone has now fully understood the prince's method, which is the word "kill"! No matter who it is, as long as it is not used by the prince or makes mistakes, it will be dead. The prince thinks that killing is the only way to solve all troubles. The so-called quick knife cuts the mess, and it's over after killing. It's simple and clear, convenient and trouble-free! In the past, some people told the prince that there should be other means besides killing people, but these people were all regarded by the prince as pleading for the enemy, and soon disappeared. The rest of the people didn't dare to say anything more - just kill, just kill. In history, "killing" is the only way to determine the country. Sometimes, "killing" is even the only way. Who can say that the prince did something wrong
One day not long after, people under the banner of the Eastern Palace left the palace and headed for Xiaoyun Temple outside the city in a ostentatious way.
A group of flags and chariots and horses stopped outside the watch, attracting many pilgrims and people to watch. A Taoist boy ran all the way in to inform Mr. Mao Daochang, who was very happy when he heard that he was from the Prince’s East Palace: such a visit must be It is to earn a reputation for the Taoist temple, which will naturally attract more pilgrims, and in this time of famine and calamity, there will be more income!
Mao Daochang straightened his clothes and went to the outside of the temple to welcome the distinguished guests. After the two sides saluted, Mao Daochang welcomed the staff sent by the prince into the hall inside the temple. After being seated, several Taoist boys came over and brought tea to the guests. Taoist Master Mao said apologetically: "The number of disaster victims has increased greatly in recent years. I don't have much food left in my supply all the year round. I don't have anything good to entertain distinguished guests. Please forgive me."
Knowing for a long time that this is the Taoist leader who wants to advertise himself at any time, the staff took the opportunity to put a high hat on Mao Taoist leader and said: "The Taoist leader is righteous, has a heart for all people, and is compassionate. No wonder he is superb in Taoism and can make the elixir of longevity. "
Daoist Mao immediately said modestly: "Where is that? The so-called longevity pill is just a word of praise from outsiders, it is just a pill for health..."
The prince's aides hurriedly said, "Even if it is to preserve one's health, it is an activity that benefits the public, and the Taoist priest must be a person of Taoism."
Mao Daochang laughed.
Seeing him happy, the prince's staff also smiled and said: "I am entrusted by the prince of the East Palace, and I have come to invite the Taoist priest to enter the palace. To comfort the emperor to keep in good health, and to refine the elixir for the emperor."
Daoist Mao's eyes widened in shock: Go into the palace to make alchemy for the emperor? ! This is a big deal! His name will be recorded in the history books in the future! Great glory!
Seeing that Daoist Mao was speechless, the staff thought that Daoist Mao was hesitating, so he hurriedly said: "The Taoist should also know that the harvest has not been good in the past few years, and there are countless disaster victims in various places. There is a lack of maintenance. His Royal Highness is a filial person and is very concerned about the health of the emperor. Therefore, I want to invite a Taoist priest with a great reputation and profound Taoism to enter the palace to meet the emperor and persuade the emperor to cherish his body and seek the way of longevity. If the Taoist priest can enter Palace, not only did a filial piety for the prince, but also a love for the emperor for the common people of the world... "
Mao Daochang closed his lips, twirled his long gray beard, and nodded with a smile, expressing agreement: Since the other party said so, it seems that it has been settled, and I should have some demeanor... What my senior brother told me in the past should not be too rich or poor. It is nonsense to say that if you live long and if you are rich, you will live short! This kind of good deed of gaining both fame and fortune can't be asked for by others, so how can it bring any disaster
The prince's staff also said: "If the Taoist priest goes to speak to the emperor on the method of health preservation, and seeks health and longevity with the supplement of elixir, the name of the Taoist priest will go down in history. In the new year, not only the people in the capital and surrounding areas will be familiar with Xiaoyun Temple, but also officials and people all over the country will deeply admire it. Many people will come to visit and add countless incense to the Taoist temple. This is a blessing The good thing for the people is that the Taoist leader should not do it for his own selfishness, but should also consider it for the Taoist temples and monks."
These words are hitting Daoist Mao's heart, the pinnacle of his achievements is Xiaoyun Guan! Let the Taoist temple that I have painstakingly managed become famous all over the world, and my life's wish is enough! Taoist Master Mao said: "Pindao Sansheng is fortunate to be invited by the prince, how dare you refuse? Please give the poor dao three days to take care of the affairs of the temple, and then enter the palace with you."
The aides were very satisfied, the two sides saluted and said goodbye, and the horses and chariots of the East Palace went back all the way, but the momentum made it known inside and outside the capital that the crown prince intended to invite Taoist Mao to the palace to perform health-preserving techniques for the emperor, to show his filial piety. Everyone is really envious and jealous of Daoist Mao. You know, how many people can come to the emperor's side? No matter how famous and righteous Daoist Mao is, he can't compare with the glory of the royal family. This time, it can be regarded as entering the hall and entering the room, and his name will go down in history. For a while, there was an endless stream of fellow Taoists who came to Xiaoyun Temple to celebrate, and everyone said good things: "The Taoist priest is today, it is the result of the year-round charity and good deeds, it is a great accomplishment!"
"I wish the Taoist priest to go here, to travel thousands of miles, and to soar to the sky."
"My Guan and Xiaoyun Guan have been friends for many years, and I hope the Taoist leader will support..."
"If the Taoist priest enters the palace to refine alchemy, I believe that all the rare medicinal materials will be used by the Taoist priest. I just hope that the Taoist priest will mention my name to the emperor..."
With so many beautiful words, Mao Dao grew up like drinking fine wine. Sometimes, he would also think of the frustrating words that his crow-mouthed senior brother said about blessings and misfortunes, but after thinking about it carefully, he couldn't see anything bad about entering the palace: he practiced The health-preserving pills in this article help yang and replenish qi. If taken reasonably, there should be no harm. He has studied ancient Taoist books on health preservation for many years, and he has some experience, which will definitely inspire the emperor's health care... He will not disappoint the prince's filial piety...
Three days later, Mao Daochang sat in an open carriage surrounded by silk flowers, escorted by many Taoist priests holding banners, and followed the prince's staff to the gate of the palace.
The crown prince went out of the palace to greet him personally, and treated Taoist Master Mao very politely, and invited him to board the palace and enter the East Palace with him.
After a series of salutations, the two parties sat down, and the prince said sincerely: "I have heard for a long time that Taoist Changqing is famous far and wide, and the Changsheng Dan he made is well-known in the capital. Many people have cured their old illnesses after taking it. , Create countless good fortunes. The Taoist priest must be a god who came to the world to save the world and save the people."
Mao Daochang received such praise from the crown prince of a country, and he felt proud and satisfied from the bottom of his heart, and hurriedly said: "His Royal Highness, the crown prince, how dare you call yourself a god?" Since then, I have studied alchemy techniques, and for decades, I have gained a little." He knew that the prince wanted to invite him to make alchemy for the emperor, so he naturally pointed out his own background.
The prince was very satisfied with Taoist Master Mao's comprehension, nodded and said: "The righteousness of the Taoist school is grand and profound, and the Taoist leader's Taoist deeds are also profound and extraordinary, so he should be able to take on the important task. I am very gratified that I can find the Taoist leader for my father. The palace wishes the father a long life, and recommends the priest to go to see the father and tell the father the method of cultivating Taoism and health, so that the father can live forever and become a fairy."
Mao Daochang said: "If ordinary people want to become immortals, they have to practice for a long time, and the emperor will take care of everything..."
The prince said: "Then please ask the Taoist priest to explain the use of the elixir to the father. I hope the Taoist priest can contribute to the health of the father's dragon body."
Daoist Mao immediately agreed: "Pindao will definitely do his best."
As soon as the prince said to invite Taoist priests, the emperor knew about it. Soon, Mao Daochang's background materials were also reported to the emperor. After the emperor read it, he nodded and said, "This Taoist priest is not bad."
Eunuch Sun said on the side: "This Taoist master was educated by Qing Xuzi, a Taoist master. He has been around the capital for more than 30 years. His Taoism is indeed well-known. His Taoist temple has also changed from a small one to the largest one outside the capital. gone."
The emperor pointed at the dossier: "It's easy to do one thing, but it's rare to get more and more famous in the past 20 or 30 years. It can be seen that he is a man of virtue."
Eunuch Sun said in a low voice: "The prince put his heart into it."
The emperor pressed his temples with his hand and hummed.
He hasn't been feeling well lately.
When people are young, they don’t think that they will be old. Occasionally, they think that one day they will really be old, and they think that they are still themselves, except that their hair is gray, their skin becomes looser, and maybe they just walk more slowly. People don't know that when old age comes, the joints will swell inexplicably, and the next step will feel dizzy. Tossing and turning in the night, obviously sleepy, but unable to sleep well. His eyes were too dazzled to see clearly what was in front of him, and he could only see what was in the distance. Obviously, what I just said, I forgot everything in a blink of an eye... The most indescribable thing is a kind of physical and mental exhaustion. It's not that I don't have time, but that I don't have the energy to do things, and I feel upset when I see everything...
At this time, someone came to tell him how to keep in good health, which really put his heart into it. Besides, over the years, how many young women have been accepted in the harem, but none of them are pregnant. Taoist housework has been famous since ancient times, and it also pays attention to health preservation and anti-aging... The prince's recommendation of this Taoist master Mao finally did something to please him.
The prince accompanied Mao Daochang to meet the emperor. Mao Daochang was wearing a Taoist uniform, with a long beard over his chest, and his eyebrows stretched out. Seeing this, the emperor nodded secretly.
Mao Daochang came forward to pay respects, and when he rolled his eyes, he saw that the emperor's complexion was dark and his eye sockets were sunken, so he knew that the emperor's health was not good, and the toxins in his body were not discharged. Naturally, he wouldn't say it outright, but just summed up his symptoms in his heart.
The prince said: "Father, my son heard that Taoist Mao is well versed in the art of health preservation and alchemy, so I brought Taoist priest here to see Father." After finishing speaking, he stepped aside.
The emperor said to Taoist Mao: "The Taoist priest can explain to me the meaning of Taoism's health preservation."
Mao Daochang has been making alchemy and medicine for many years, and he has a lot of insights into health preservation. He hurriedly said: "Thanks to the emperor's inquiry, our sect teaches rebirth and hates death, and seeks longevity and immortality. God. People's health is based on daily maintenance, and with the help of elixir, it is not a delusion to stay young forever. It is not necessarily necessary to become a fairy, but it is also important to strengthen the body and maintain the longevity. When people grow old, there are always various Discomfort, dizziness, heavy body, stiff movements, inexplicable pain, loss of appetite, tasteless food, trouble sleeping at night... My Taoist school has many cultivation methods. Breathing, massage, guidance, in the room, bigu, storage, obedience, and chanting can all help people live long and healthy.…”
These words were like fairy music to the emperor's ears. The priest expressed his usual feelings and gave him hope! Unlike those imperial doctors who just hew and haw and prescribe a bunch of unpalatable medicines every day! Those who hold the highest power in the world, who doesn't want to stay young forever? Qin Shihuang pursued the way of longevity everywhere, and made generations of emperors yearn for immortality. I am the emperor, so I naturally have to go this way...
Out of the corner of his eye, he caught a glimpse of the prince standing aside with a submissive expression, and felt that this son was much more pleasing to the eye than before.
After listening to Mao Daochang's talk, the emperor was very satisfied. From then on, he gave Mao Daochang a permanent residence in the palace. According to Mao Daochang's design, he began to build an alchemy room at the auspicious place of the eight trigrams, casting alchemy furnaces, and preparing for alchemy. At the same time, the emperor stayed with Mao Daochang for an hour or two every day after he went down to court. Under the guidance of Mao Daochang, he practiced the art of guidance and learned how to breathe... After a month, the emperor really felt more comfortable, at least the heaviness at the neck was much less.
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Now that he has decided to go to the seaside, Zhang Yunzheng carefully recalls the Li's site that Marquis Pingyuan asked him to remember, and finally mentions the northernmost seaside town, Jiaocheng. Shen Wen and the others traveled east across mountains and mountains. At the beginning of April, they finally approached the coast, and went to Jiaocheng with inquiries all the way.
In areas with a maritime climate, winters are humid, and some trees do not wither. Even in winter, there are green jungles or weeds. Early spring is even more green.
When they found Jiaocheng, Zhang Yunzheng looked disappointed: From a distance, it looked like a small village with low walls, dilapidated gates, and few pedestrians on the road. Zhang Yunzheng frowned: "Is this still called 'City'? It's almost called 'Jiaocun'!"
Shen Wen laughed, now she finds Zhang Yunzheng's complaints and dissatisfaction very funny.
Zhang Yunzheng said: "This should be a site, what can you do if you are so poor?"
Shen Wen said: "Don't underestimate this place, there must be something to sell in the endless land near the sea."
They led the team to the edge of the city, and there were two yamen servants guarding the city gate. Zhang Yunzheng reported that he was looking for Li's shop, and the yamen servants took the money to enter the city and waved them in. They entered the city and walked on the only street in the town, surrounded by old houses and shabby shops, most of which sold sun-dried seafood, and the air was filled with the peculiar smell of dry goods, which was somewhat smelly and fishy. There are also some beggars on the roadside. Zhang Yunzheng looked around and said worriedly: "I hope my mother's shop is bigger, otherwise how can we eat and drink for free? The people I bring have appetites..."
Shen Wen couldn't stop laughing.
After walking for a while, they saw between the shops that a broken city wall had collapsed in the distance, and the sea could be seen outside. People were coming and going from there, without going through the city gate at all. Zhang Yunzheng said angrily: "Isn't this cheating us outsiders?! We should get back the money that went into the city!"
Shen Wen laughed again: What's wrong with me, whenever Zhang Yunzheng spoke, she laughed.
Li's store is not big, and it looks a bit dilapidated. It is a grocery store that sells North and South goods. It sells all kinds of goods, from brooms and dustpans to rouge hair ropes. It is the only department store in the town.
The owner of the grocery store was a little dubious when he heard the report that the people from the Pingyuan Houfu came, but when he went to the door, he saw a few carriages and some burly men, so he believed it. With a fish-shaped seal given by Mrs. Li, the owner is completely convinced that this must be a direct descendant of the ultimate boss, Mrs. Pingyuanhou. Don't neglect, and stammered with a smile: "My... next... surname... Zhou... Zhou... "
Zhang Yunzheng saw that the owner of this grocery store was in his fifties, he was a little fat, with small eyes, and his thick lips were half-opened, looking very dull, so he immediately classified him as a "bad boy" and ordered him on the spot. Getting angry: "Then trouble shopkeeper Zhou." With a swipe of his hand, he pulled the fourth prince and Shi Helin who got out of the car: "These are guests from the Pingyuan Houfu, please treat them well!"
Shopkeeper Zhou nodded vigorously: "Okay, okay..."
Although the fourth prince recovered from his illness, Shen Wen, Su Wanniang and Shi Helin did not allow him to ride a donkey for a long time, saying that he could avoid wind and evil from invading his body, so he could only ride for a while every day, most of the time he was in a carriage with Shi Helin. People who have galloped thousands of miles on the grassland on horseback will feel very uncomfortable in the car. The fourth prince stretched his waist and kicked his legs vigorously as soon as he got out of the car, complaining to Shi Helin: "Mr. Shi, the weather here is not so cold, so we should be able to ride for a day, right?"
Shi Helin still shook his head: "Impossible, after all, it's the beginning of spring, and the wind, cold and humidity are penetrating..."
Shopkeeper Zhou said from the side, "Are you going to the south?"
The fourth prince glanced at Zhang Yunzheng, saw that he didn't shake his head, and said, "Exactly."
Shopkeeper Zhou said: "This is the seaside. We should go by boat. Why ride a mule? There are often boats going south here. Our boats have all gone south. We won't come back until summer, otherwise we will just catch them."
The fourth prince has never been on a boat before, and he heard Shen Wen talk about long-distance voyages along the way. He looked at Zhang Yunzheng very excitedly, and Zhang Yunzheng nodded and said, "That's our original plan. Shopkeeper, help me find the boat going south." .”
Shopkeeper Zhou hurriedly responded: "I didn't say anything. But..." He looked at several carriages and big mules: "These carts..."
Zhang Yunzheng thought about it and said: "I will let them go south from the land, maybe meet us somewhere in the south."
Shopkeeper Zhou's small eyes couldn't be seen behind half-closed eyelids: "In that case, can you bother me to take a batch of goods to the south for me? The carriage of the young master seems to be quite empty, and now there is no need to carry people. The boss said that our sea shell and ginseng are selling well in the south... "
Only then did Zhang Yunzheng look at shopkeeper Zhou, but shopkeeper Zhou still had a smiling face, Zhang Yunzheng muttered in a low voice: "Why is no one stupid in this world?"
Shopkeeper Zhou knew that this was done, so he smiled even more, and greeted the fourth prince and Shi Helin: "Come here quickly, I'll have someone prepare a bath."
After Shen Wen dismounted, he helped Su Wanniang out of the car. Su Wanniang came to Kuishui, and her actions have been slow for the past two days. Shen Wen remembered that he was sixteen years old in his previous life, and he came to Guishui when he was about to get married. Su Wanniang is almost seventeen now, and it's time. In later generations, with the development of modern society, girls' menstruation comes earlier and earlier, but now, it is normal.
The fourth prince dared not look at Su Wanniang. He thought Su Wanniang was ill the day before yesterday, and was anxious for a long time, only to understand after Shi Helin vaguely nodded. He used to study in the past, and he also knew that Tian Guizhi, a woman, would be able to have children. He has always been sad: Su Wanniang is an adult, and he is nineteen. According to ordinary people, it is time to get married and have children, but once he returns, he will stay in the imperial mausoleum. He felt very frustrated when Su Wanniang was acting like a maid...
Shopkeeper Zhou saw that there were female relatives in the group, but the maids were not like maids, and the master was not like the master, so he didn't dare to ask more questions, so he just asked people to prepare more bath water and make dinner early.
Shi Helin called Su Wanniang's pulse, prescribed a prescription, and asked someone to cook brown sugar ginger water. Shen Wen helped Su Wanniang take a bath, and then lay down. Naturally, they didn't go out for dinner. sleep well.
At the dinner prepared by shopkeeper Zhou, there is enough rice and noodles, as well as sea fish, squid, kelp and other sea foods. For travelers like them who only ate dry food along the way, it was really rich, but the fourth prince was a little distracted.
Seeing that the fourth prince was in a low mood, Zhang Yunzheng asked shopkeeper Zhou: "Is this near the sea? Can we go to the seaside for a walk?"
Shopkeeper Zhou hurriedly said: "Of course, of course, you only need to walk for a quarter of an hour, and you will be able to reach the beach. After we have dinner, I will accompany you for a walk."
After the meal, shopkeeper Zhou led several of them and Yulan and other guards out of the city wall from the cave-in, and arrived at the seaside not far away.
In the evening, the setting sun slanted, and the golden glow was reflected in the blue sea water. Waves came crashing down on the shore. On the beach, there are people carrying baskets to pick up seaweed and clams, and some refugees are sitting dry. There are several fishing boats moored in the distance, with fishing nets hanging around.
Where have people like Zhang Yunzheng seen the sea? Immediately, the mood was lifted, and the group hurried to the beach. Some started to pick up shells along the beach, some reached out to touch the sea water, some dug the sand with their hands, and some threw stones into the water...
The fourth prince looked far away and saw that apart from the shadows of a few islands, there was more of a line connecting the sky and the water. He immediately felt refreshed and thought to himself, no wonder those Westerners that Shen Wen said wanted to explore the sea. I also want to know what it's like to be on the other side of the sea, even if I can't reach it, sailing all the way to the distance can satisfy some people's desire to explore...
He grew up in the palace since he was a child, and was cared for by his mother. He was a well-behaved child, and he couldn't go crazy on the beach like others, so he found a log that was stranded on the beach and sat down, looking at the sea. Shi Helin also felt that he was a little old, so he sat next to the fourth prince with Shopkeeper Zhou who was used to seeing the scenery. Both of them are considered elders, so naturally they talk condescendingly about those young people.
Shi Helin said: "These children have never seen the sea, so the shopkeeper made a joke." It seems that he is the parent.
Shopkeeper Zhou said with a smile: "What's the matter? They are all very well. The people from Pingyuanhou's mansion are naturally good."
Shi Helin glanced at the fourth prince. He was used to calling him Mr. Jiang, and sometimes he forgot that he was actually a prince. Now shopkeeper Zhou was talking about the background, Shi Helin was afraid that the fourth prince would not like being regarded as someone from the Marquis of Pingyuan, so he asked the fourth prince, "Aren't you going to play with them to the beach?"
The fourth prince was a little cautious: "Well, I'd better not play..."
Shopkeeper Zhou said: "There's really nothing interesting now. It's the best if you come in summer. There are many shells on the beach, and the weather is hot. You can go swimming in the sea..."
The fourth prince shook his head and said, "I can't swim."
Shopkeeper Zhou said: "If you can't swim, you can play with the sand. The sand is hot, and many people built castles with sand, which is very beautiful."
The fourth prince nodded and said: "Okay, I will come here in summer next time."
While talking, a black shadow passed by, and the three of them were startled. Turning their heads, they saw a branch thrown from the air, and a little yellow dog galloped behind to chase the branch. When the branch fell, the little yellow dog took it and shook it. He ran over to a young man striding forward with his tail.
Shopkeeper Zhou smiled and shouted: "Hong Er, I have guests here, so don't throw them around. It's not good to disturb the officials. They are looking for a boat heading south."
A young man named Hong Er walked over with a smile, with high cheekbones, messy hair, half-tucked short shirt, only twenty-two-three, with sparse stubble on his face. He saluted and said: "Master Zhou!" Then he clasped his fists at the fourth prince and Shi Helin, and said, "Our family's boat has been heading south recently. Shopkeeper Zhou will help you to say good things. I..." The person beside him Seeing him talking to someone, the yellow dog jumped while biting the branch, with its front paws on his front abdomen, almost standing upright, whining in its throat, Hong Er took out the branch from the yellow dog's mouth, threw it far away, and the branch swished Flying away with a sound, the yellow dog barked and ran over.
Only then did Hong Er go on to say: "Our family's boats are the most reliable. It's been several generations. Manager Zhou knows that, doesn't he?"
Shopkeeper Zhou nodded and said, "Of course, your father is at the helm, right?"
Hong Er smiled with teeth all over his mouth: "I'm pretty good too!..."
A fisherman who passed by behind scolded: "Not bad?! Be careful, I told your father to let him beat you! There is no hair on your mouth! Shopkeeper Zhou, don't be fooled by this kid! His father never let him beat you!" He went out to sea alone, crazy, calling the dog his son..." Walked by.
Hong Er shouted at the man's back: "Does a dog take a mouse know what it means?"
The man said without turning his head: "You were caught by your dog..."
Hong Er punched the air and said, "Seeing how old you are, I'll let you go!"
Shopkeeper Zhou said: "Now is a time of famine, you still have such a dog, be careful if someone catches it and stews it."
Hong Er said: "Then I have to fight him hard! I take it with me when I go out to sea. This is my son."
Shopkeeper Zhou laughed and said, "You're such an idiot! Are you still human? Stop talking nonsense! Go and ask your father when the boat to the south will leave and where it will go, and then come and tell me."
Hong Er nodded carelessly, and was about to leave, but he stopped and said, "The shopkeeper should know, right? My father said that he doesn't want money, but food. Depending on the distance, last time the guests were two hundred catties of food per person."
Shopkeeper Zhou nodded again and again: "Okay, okay." Only then did Hong Er walk towards the yellow dog that was running towards him again.
Seeing that he was gone, shopkeeper Zhou beckoned Zhang Yunzheng who had just turned around to watch, and said to Zhang Yunzheng, "His father Hong Laoduo is a well-known helmsman here. He has traveled north and south for decades. Their boats are also strong. If you go In the south, you can consider using their house. Their price is more expensive than others, but we have food."
When Zhang Yunzheng saw the sea, he was already provoked to try it out, and he was even more moved when he heard what shopkeeper Zhou said, and said, "Let's go back and discuss it." Then he turned around and went to play in the water again.
Shi Helin asked shopkeeper Zhou: "When we came from the inland, we saw that the drought was severe. How can you say that there is food here?"
Shopkeeper Zhou said: "A few years ago, the boss asked us to buy grain to prepare for the shortage. At that time, the grain was very cheap. Besides, we are near the sea, relying on the mountains to eat the mountains and the water. Everyone lives by fishing, and we will not be hungry. No matter what Stronger than the Outback."
The fourth prince asked curiously: "This place can be spared in disaster years, and it should be more prosperous in normal years. But when we came into the city, why did we see the streets so dilapidated?"
Shopkeeper Zhou chuckled, then looked left and right, and whispered, "Have you heard of this gentleman? There is nothing in the world that can satisfy people's greed. Greed has no limit, and no matter how rich you are, it's useless!"
Shi Helin suddenly said: "Is it the government?..."
Shopkeeper Zhou waved his hand: "Where is there any government office? It is said that it is government taxes, but in the end it all goes into people's pockets."
The fourth prince was stunned and said: "How can this be?"
Shopkeeper Zhou said in a low voice: "How can it be otherwise? Nearly half of a shipment of fish here is taxed. How can the court collect the fish? It is transferred to private merchants, dried and sold far away, and the money is not here. I went straight to my hometown. After the disaster, I didn’t open a granary, and the grain was sold at a high price. Our place is rich in products, but it’s located in a remote place. A county magistrate is the emperor. Who dares to say anything? It’s been like this for many years. Then one, take this place as a fat job, and leave when I have enough. I am the biggest merchant here, and I don’t have enough respect for them. If I didn’t hold the signboard of Pingyuanhou’s Mansion in the capital to block it, I would have done it earlier. I can't go down."
The fourth prince frowned and asked, "How to block it?"
Shopkeeper Zhou said: "For example, when the county magistrate first took office, he came to find fault every three days, and even found an excuse to put me in jail, because a relative of his came here with him and wanted to eat up our business. The man sent a letter to the capital, and the Marquis of Pingyuan sent a few people, without naming their names, to catch a pig and kill it at the gate of the yamen. The pig was tied to a chair, and the belly was slowly disemboweled. If you don't kill it right away, the pig screamed so loudly that the people ran away in fright. Those people thought they had been soldiers, and while killing the pig, they got the blood all over their bodies and laughed to see it. Those magistrates and yamen servants, the magistrate let me go the next day after people inquired about their origins."
Both Shi Helin and the fourth prince laughed wryly, and shopkeeper Zhou sighed: "From then on, as long as we give money and goods, he won't bother us. Thank God."
This is also called thank goodness? The fourth prince shook his head depressedly: "It's really..." He couldn't find the right words.
Shopkeeper Zhou thought that the fourth prince was also from Pingyuanhou's mansion, and he seemed the most stable in the group, so he wanted to say more good things about Pingyuanhou: "Pingyuanhou is a righteous man, if you go back to Beijing, Say thank you for me…”
Shi Helin hurriedly interrupted: "This Young Master Jiang...is not from the Pingyuan Houfu."
Shopkeeper Zhou snorted, and said apologetically, "I thought the young master belonged to Pingyuanhou's residence." He was afraid that what he just said would be spread by outsiders and ruin Pingyuanhou's reputation, so he hurriedly defended Pingyuanhou and said: " Marquis Pingyuan is really good. Those of us who do business think this official is the most terrifying. If we don’t get along with them, we have to wait to be dealt with by them. In some places, officials and businessmen have colluded and made enough money, but other businesses have no business. There is no way out. If the officials and bandits are together, the people will suffer even more. Although Marquis Pingyuan is an official, he really did not harm anyone, he just protected the business of the boss... "
The fourth prince hurriedly said: "I also received the favor of the Pingyuanhoufu." Isn't it all the money spent by the Pingyuanhoufu this time
Shopkeeper Zhou hurriedly nodded and said, "That's good. Mrs. Pingyuan Hou is very kind and righteous, and has inherited the handicraft of the old owner. You see, the Li family's inland business outlets ran out of food during the disaster year, or they were robbed. If they couldn’t do it, they all withdrew to the south. Many people dragged their families from my place to the south by boat, and waited at the old club, and came back after the disaster year passed.”
Shi Helin said in surprise: "Is this so? The Li family will support people who have no business?"
Shopkeeper Zhou nodded and said: "The old owner has already said that the Li family will never treat those who work for the Li family badly. If the business goes bankrupt due to natural disasters or man-made disasters, or people get sick or old, the Li family will take over. I think there is something, but look at the disasters in the past few years, some places have heard that people cannibalize people, but those who work for the Li family, not only no one dies, but the whole family has a place to escape. The old boss said, If the Li family stays up for a day, everyone will have food to eat. Our boss is the daughter of the old boss, and we can only do better. The Li family is a family of good deeds."
While listening to the greed of the court officials, the fourth prince felt very uncomfortable when he heard that a businessman with a low social status was praised so much, and asked, "Is anyone who works for the Li family corrupt?"
Shopkeeper Zhou replied: "People are greedy, and the old boss knows it very well. The Li family's business has three barriers. The person who spends and manages the money is not the same person, and the person who keeps the accounts is another person. On top of this, Every two years, people from the Li family in Jiangnan will come to collect the account. The other is more ruthless, that is to encourage the buddies to report, and if it is true, the buddies can replace the shopkeeper."
The fourth prince was surprised and said: "Wouldn't it be impossible for the upper and lower levels to be of one mind?"
Shopkeeper Zhou smiled at him and said, "Young man, where did you ever have a single heart? The Li family has laid down the rules in this way, and there are still rules, which are easy for everyone to abide by. Unless you are really greedy, who wants to tear your face apart?" Did the master kill you? When you make a fuss, in fact, the Li family doesn’t send officials away, they just chase back the money they can get back, and then drive them out, and don’t tell everyone about it, even the descendants will not be hired by the Li family.”
The fourth prince gasped: "Isn't this even sitting?"
Shopkeeper Zhou said: "The Li family feels that the upper beam is not upright and the lower beam is crooked. If the parents are not good, how can they expect the children to be good? Besides, those who are greedy for money are also used to support their children. They have gained the benefits of corruption. Can you hire them again?"
Shi Helin also shook his head: "If you commit a crime, you will hurt your descendants, and your reputation will be bad."
Shopkeeper Zhou said: "Exactly, if a businessman wants to be in business for a long time, he must pay attention to his reputation. If anyone loses his reputation, he should stop messing around."
The fourth prince looked at Hai and sighed: "Who among the scholars doesn't care about fame?" Why doesn't the imperial court talk about ancestral shade? But when I became an official, I still see money...
The sun had completely set, and there were a few gorgeous clouds in the sky. Zhang Yunzheng wanted to pull Shen Wen out to look at the sea, so he said, "It's getting late, let's go back."
Shopkeeper Zhou agreed: "Naturally, you can come every day and watch the sunrise over the sea in the morning. It's very spectacular."
He walked back with a group of people. It was after dinner, and people were getting ready to go to bed. The doors of every house were closed, and beggars and refugees curled up in the corner. When they entered the gate of the courtyard, the fourth prince saw a distant gate face, which was very tall and majestic, and stood out from the crowd among the residential houses.
Seeing the eyes of the fourth prince, shopkeeper Zhou said in a low voice: "That's the Yamen, it was just demolished and rebuilt last year."
Shi Helin said with a smile: "We found that the yamen is always well built along the way."
The fourth prince was rarely angry: "It's a disaster year, and the government actually..."
Shopkeeper Zhou pulled him and pulled him into the door. After closing the courtyard door, he said in a low voice: "You can't talk nonsense. How can we people mess with that yamen? The sky is high here, and the emperor is far away. I heard his His immediate boss is his distant relative, no one can control him, don't mess with them."
The fourth prince frowned and asked, "What's the name of that county magistrate?"
Shopkeeper Zhou was stunned: "County magistrate? His name is Luo Youcai, and his name is Wensheng. Are you going to tell Marquis Pingyuan?"
The fourth prince was silent - he might tell the third prince later. Shopkeeper Zhou whispered: "Let's forget it. It is said that the people above him are related to the palace in the capital. He rebuilt the Yamen to get rid of bad luck. A few years ago, his family took a fancy to a piece of land. I want to buy it at a low price. That family came from other places to open up wasteland. They planted fruit trees a few years ago. After a long time, the fruit trees grew up and they didn’t want to sell them. He waited for the fruit to ripen soon, and then sent someone to cut down the trees. The family originally borrowed a loan, but if they didn’t repay the loan, the land was gone. The man of the family sued and was ignored, and finally hanged in front of the yamen. The woman went to the yamen to make trouble, but was pushed and shoved by the yamen During this time, she hit her head on the stone steps in front of the yamen, and died there bleeding all over the ground. But the yamen servants said that she fell by herself, and her death was in vain. The only child left in the family became a beggar , and was often chased and beaten by the yamen servants..."
The fourth prince pursed his lips tightly, and shopkeeper Zhou patted him on the shoulder: "Young man, don't be angry. This is the way of the world. The government oppresses the people, and it has been like this since ancient times. It's okay to die a few people, as long as you don't force everyone into it." There is no way out, this day can still go on, go wash and sleep."
Just as they were about to split up and sleep peacefully, they heard the door slamming, and Zhang Yunzheng and several of his subordinates who had already entered the guest room came out again. Shopkeeper Zhou signaled to a clerk, and the clerk came to the door and yelled: "Who is it, the store is closed, and everyone is going to sleep."
Someone outside also shouted loudly: "Open the door! From the county government! Come and check your shop!"