I want to be a grandson

Chapter 347 Confrontation
"Master Bao, I have looked up to you for a long time, I never expected to see you today, I am so lucky!"

Since Kong Yan promised the benefits, Zhang Yong began to matchmaking and hosted a banquet in honor of Bao Zhao.

When Bao Zhao thought of setting up a customs office in Jining, he had to deal with the Jining government.

Others kindly invite them, if they don't go, I'm afraid there will be a rift, which will affect the future cooperation, so I went.

Bao Zhao said politely: "Your Majesty Zhang is really polite. I have not had time to pay my lord's visit, but my lord treats you like this. I am ashamed of you."

Zhang Yong asked Bao Zhao to sit down, and said with a smile: "Master Bao didn't even say hello when he came to Jining Mansion. Poor hospitality."

"Your Majesty Zhang, you are being polite. The officer is here to inspect the place, and then he left. I don't want to disturb you..."

Zhang Yong poured him a cup of tea, and asked tentatively, "Master Bao, I don't know if you have come all the way, but have you seen any deficiencies in Jining Prefecture's government orders? Just speak boldly and listen carefully!"

There is a saying that you only talk about three points when you meet people, but you can't give up all your heart!

Always leave some leeway when speaking, and you can't say everything you think in your heart and what you see with your eyes.

Besides, Zhang Yong is the magistrate of Jinan Prefecture. The two met for the first time and they had no friendship at all. There is no reason to point out his mistakes in administration.

So he said politely: "The lower official is only responsible for inspecting the canals and waterways to see where customs can be set up to collect taxes. As for government affairs, I don't know anything about it, and I have no interest in caring about it, so I don't know it at all. Please forgive me."

The two exchanged pleasantries again, and then Zhang Yong said: "The gentry in Jinan Mansion heard that Mr. Bao is coming, and they also elected a representative to welcome Mr. Bao, how about inviting him out to meet him?"

Bao Zhao knew that the representative of the gentry students should be the Kong family, so he said calmly: "Since the people of Jinan Prefecture are so enthusiastic, it's okay to meet them."

"Okay, I'll let him come here..."

After saying that, he clapped his hands, the door of the private room of the restaurant was opened, and Kong Yan walked in.

Jishou saluted and said: "Kong Yan, a grassroots man, has met Mr. Bao."

Bao Zhao stared at him, frowned slightly and said, "You are welcome, Mr. Kong, please sit down."

Kong Yan took his seat unhurriedly, and said with a smile on his face: "Your Majesty Bao is exhausted, and it's really hard work for the court to share the worries."

Bao Zhao didn't go around in circles with him, and asked straightforwardly: "Could it be that the honorable master is the younger brother of Yan Shenggong?"

The smile on Kong Yan's face became even brighter: "My lord also knows my brother?"

"No one in the world knows the name of Duke Yansheng."

Kong Yan said something in his words: "My brother is very happy when he hears that your lord is coming, and he is very eager to meet you and see his honor. If you can talk about scriptures and Taoism with him, you must be extremely happy!"

"Jining Mansion is only a hundred miles away from Qufu, so it is very convenient to travel..."

The invitation in these words is very clear.

All he had to do was invite him to his home in Qufu to see Duke Yansheng!

But Bao Zhao was still indifferent, and just said indifferently: "Thank you Yan Shenggong for your kindness, but I have a job in my body, and I can't abolish the public for personal reasons, please forgive me!"

Of course Bao Zhao knew why he came, how could he go to see Duke Yan at this time!
Arriving at the Confucian Temple in Qufu is equivalent to arriving at the holy place in the eyes of scholars all over the world, where only the way of saints is discussed, regardless of the official position of the court,
Once he goes there, he will be three points weaker in momentum!

At that time, I was too passive!

Kong Yan's face froze. He never expected that the other party would bluntly refuse such an invitation!
And the words are still three points blunt, there is no room for relaxation!

Bao Zhao ignored him, and said directly: "Speaking of your Kong family, I think of it, you are really brave, you dare to set up tax customs privately to collect money from merchants and common people!"

Kong Yan saw that he had opened his mouth, so he stopped covering it up: "Master Bao, the land there belongs to our family, and the pier was built with the money and effort of the Kong family.
Just charge a little toll, which is not a hindrance. "

Bao Zhao glanced at him and said, "I'm not in the mood to ramble, I just want to tell you that the court wants to set up a customs office here, and you Kong family members should leave the dock!"

Kong Yan smiled and said, "My lord, you are working for the imperial court, and I admire you for your loyalty. You just invested a huge amount of money in your family to build the pier properly. The imperial court will never compete with the people for profit..."

Then he hurriedly said: "Besides, where the tax customs is built, is it not a matter of a word from the adults?"

What Kong Yan said was also the truth. The Ministry of Household Affairs sent him to investigate the area, and naturally it was to select a location for the future establishment of tax customs.

Where to choose is really very flexible, it all depends on how the person who chooses the location thinks!

"My lord, there is a better place than my wharf. If the imperial court sets up tax customs there, it will definitely collect a lot of money..."

Zhang Yong on the side asked: "Oh, there is such a treasure land? It would be great to be able to increase taxes for the court! I don't know where it is?"

Kong Yan opened the folding fan and said with a smile: "The waterway between Huishan Lake and Nanyang Lake connects the two lakes. The area hundreds of miles north and south is under control. It's a good place!"

"All the surrounding prefectures and counties have to pass through these two lakes. Merchants come and go frequently, and the trade is extremely prosperous. If the imperial court can set up tax customs there, it will be the best choice!"

As he spoke, he looked at Bao Zhao intentionally or unintentionally, but there was no expression on Bao Zhao's face.

He said indifferently: "Mr. Kong probably didn't have a field survey and didn't know the details. It's the best place, but it's far inferior to Jining Mansion!
Only Jining Prefecture is the most suitable place to set up tax customs, and no other places will work! "

Staring at Kong Yan again, he said, "Your Majesty, let the people from your residence leave the dock. It is imperative for the imperial court to set up tax customs here!"

Kong Yan's face immediately became very ugly. He obviously gave the other party a step, but he just couldn't go down!

The pier in the middle of the two lakes is definitely not as good as here, otherwise, according to the greedy personality of the Kong family, I am afraid they would have occupied it long ago!
At this time, Kong Liang brought in a dish with a serious face, put the dish on the table, and took advantage of the opportunity to whisper a few words to Kong Yan's side.

Hearing Kong Liang's report, Kong Yan's expression changed, and he couldn't help clenching his hands, obviously a little nervous.

After Kong Liang finished his report, he glanced at Baozhao and retreated.

Seeing this situation, the magistrate Zhang Yong knew that something must have happened, otherwise the Kong family would not be so unreasonable and dare to barge in to disturb them!
At this time, he didn't dare to say more, so he took off the prayer beads from his wrist and twisted them lightly,
He said with a smile: "Forgive me, both of you, I'm tumbling in my belly, excuse me for now..."

After saying that, he stood up and left the box.

Bao Zhao picked up the teacup in front of him and drank it all in one gulp, acting as if nothing to do with him, without saying a word.

Kong Yan adjusted his mood, and with a smile on his face again, he picked up the jug and poured Bao Zhao a glass of wine.

Then he said: "My lord Bao is dedicated to serving the public. I admire it very much. It is really not easy for your lord to be admitted to the Taixue..."

"The family ancestor taught the descendants of the Confucian family that it is their duty to educate the world, so that more people in the world can read and write, which is really a great deed!
So I am willing to spend [-] guan every year to build a school in your hometown, what do you think? "

Bao Zhao glanced at him, and said coldly: "The most holy master, after the saint, will he also bribe the officials' ghost tricks!"

How could Bao Zhao not know about such disguised bribery!
I am the emperor's grandson's confidant, if I take bribes, I would be extremely stupid!

Kong Yan's face turned pale immediately, and he gritted his teeth secretly, but he also knew the seriousness of the matter, so he could only bear it for now!

Said: "I just want to educate everyone, sir, don't think too much..."

Taking a deep breath, he continued: "Since my lord thinks it is most appropriate to set up a tax officer at the pier, it is inconvenient for me to say more, my lord can just let it go, the Kong family will definitely support you!"

Bao Zhao silently did not speak, still very calm.

Kong Yan continued: "Your Excellency will definitely need land when setting up the tax customs. The Kong family is willing to donate the hundred acres of fertile land around the wharf to the imperial court, and please accept it."

Seeing that he was so obedient, Bao Zhao's grievances subsided a bit, and he nodded and said, "That's very good."

Kong Yan exhaled a foul breath, and gently fanned the folding fan in his hand, as if to blow away the boredom.

The folding fan in his hand was made of ivory bone, bordered with gold lines, a big mountain was drawn on it, the lower half was the mountain body, and the upper half seemed to be painted with white snow, it was chilling to look at.

Next to this mountain, there are three characters written, but they are written in Japanese characters.

This fan is luxurious and elegant, and only a wealthy family like Kong Yan can afford it!
Kong Yan said: "My lord, before some unruly people framed the Kong family, saying that our family robbed their fields, it is really nonsense! It is unreasonable!"

"I heard that they sued before the adults to slander the Kong family's reputation, it is really unbearable!

If your lord sees these people, please be aware of the details, and don't fall into the tricks of the thieves, so as to shame the saint! "

Bao Zhao understood that when Kong Liang came in just now, he must have told him about taking over Zhuangzi, that's why he gave in so easily!
However, Bao Zhao did not show favoritism, and said frankly: "Whether it is making trouble for the people is still to be considered, but since the people have grievances to avenge, and they have written a pleading paper and sent it to the official, then there is no reason for the official not to accept it." !"

Kong Yan's face immediately darkened, "My lord, the Kong family is willing to give up the dock so that my lord can do things for the court.
Why does my lord still listen to rumors and humiliate the reputation of my ancestors? "

Bao Zhao said with sharp eyes: "The customs is a matter for the imperial court, so what does it have to do with your Kong family?

Redressing the grievances of the common people is also the duty of this official, so there is no need for your superior to dictate! "

(End of this chapter)