People in Hongwu, from heavenly master to emperor master

Chapter 413 The misunderstanding is huge, send Master Shen on his way
Zhouzhuang Shen Xiu was able to leave his name in the history books not because he was rich.

The so-called cornucopia, wealth that rivals the country, these things are all far-fetched things that later generations attached to him.

In the sixth year of Hongwu, Shen Xiu, a wealthy family in the south of the Yangtze River, completed the construction of the city wall for the emperor and asked the emperor for instructions. He wanted to help the emperor reward the soldiers with his own money.

This was originally an act of flattery, but it turned Zhu Yuanzhang off and wanted to kill him.

Later, Empress Ma asked for mercy and ended up being exiled to Yunnan.

Because of this story, Shen Wansan became an important material for later novelists to write books.

In particular, Lao Zhu's family was not popular because they had touched the interests of too many southern landowners.

Folk scholars have written countless stories based on Shen Wansan. On the surface, they regard him as a legend, but in fact he is Hei Lao Zhu.

The image represented by Shen Wansan is exactly that of the wealthy households in Jiangnan.

Legend has it that the emperor killed Shen Wansan for the cornucopia. This was originally a cover-up for the wealthy families in the south of the Yangtze River to Zhu Yuanzhang to suppress them.

In Zhang Yi's view, if this historical data is true, Shen Wansan was simply seeking death.

The army is their thing, the most inviolable territory in the emperor's heart.

Usually, when generals like Xu Da and others return from an expedition, they have to hand over their military power.

Who is he, Shen Wansan, who dares to pay for rewards to the three armies?

Lao Zhu wants to kill him, it is indeed not unfair.

Zhang Yi didn't doubt why Shen Wansan did such stupid things. It had nothing to do with whether a person was smart or not.

When information is blocked and knowledge dissemination is monopolized by some people.

Many things are actually the knowledge blind spots of those businessmen.

He didn't have much contact with Shen Wansan, but he had a lot of dealings with Chen Ke, so he could see the subtle difference.

Zhang Yi also understands that this is why he, a time traveler, can fool people.

The IQ of people of later generations is no different from that of the ancients, but the density and breadth of information they receive is much more than they did.

"Brother Zhang, why did you mention Shen Wansan so well?"

Kong Ne was puzzled by Zhang Yi's attitude.

Businessmen are despised people. Even if they are as rich as a country, they may not be appreciated by scholars like them.

The reason why Kong Ne was able to associate with Chen Ke and Shen Wansan was because during the period when he came to the capital, he was deserted and lonely.

Chen Ke was kind to him, and he remembered the kindness, so he was willing to date.

Even the idle businessman, Kong Ne, ignored him.

Shen Wansan was able to get close to him, and he had some relationship with Zhang Yi.

"No, I just came back after three years. I don't have many friends in Yingtian Mansion anymore!

You, Brother Kong, Xu Fu, Teacher, etc., can all be counted on your fingers...

Now that Mr. Liu and all the teachers have resigned and returned to their hometowns, there are even fewer people to see..."

Kong Na thought about it. Zhang Yi's temperament actually didn't mean he liked to go out.

In comparison, I know more friends.

"If Brother Zhang wants to move around Yingtian, I can take you there..."

Zhang Yi waved his hand before he could finish speaking.

Kong Ne was no longer the Kong Ne he was before. His identity was here. After the emperor lifted his guard against the Kong family, it would not be difficult for him to make friends.

Whether it is Huaixi or Zhejiang, or officials and children of other factions, they will give him some face.

The reputation of the Kong family, coupled with their harmless status as being unable to serve as officials.

I think it's different from a few years ago.

"I'm not interested in these, just meet old friends!"

"I don't know. Do you want to meet as Zhang Yi or Zhang Sanfeng?"

Kong Na's words made Zhang Yi laugh.

"Chen Ke and Shen Wansan have too many thoughts. If they knew that I was Zhang Yi, they might not sleep in front of my Qingxin Temple every day to seek benefits. Although I can handle it, I am too tired..."

"In that case, I'll make the arrangements!"

Kong Ne asked a servant to come over and bring him a message.

Not long after, while they were chatting, the servant answered.

When Chen Ke heard that Kong Ne wanted to see him and Shen Wansan, he immediately agreed and booked a private room in Zuixian Tower.

……

Zhang Yi hasn't seen Chen Ke for three years. Shopkeeper Chen is indeed more energetic than he was three years ago.

A person's spirit cannot be deceived. If Chen Ke was a businessman with no humble background in the past, he is somewhat noble now.

In other words, self-confidence arising from encounters.

Regarding Kongne, he was somewhat surprised by his previous attitude, but it did not affect his respect for Kongne.

"Brother Xiao Zhang!"

After three years of not seeing each other, Chen Ke didn't recognize Zhang Yi for a while.

He looked Zhang Yi up and down, secretly thinking that the servant looked better than his master.

Three years ago, Zhang Yi was considered a child, but three years later, he was considered a half-grown boy.

The saying that he is handsome and looks better than Pan An is an exaggeration, but there is no way Zhang Yi can get along with the handsome boy.

Chen Ke was as enthusiastic as before:
"Brother Zhang, you secretly went back to Shandong to find a wife, but that's not true..."

Zhang Yi laughed sarcastically. Kong Ne gave him a very outrageous reason. Now he could only continue:

"Mr. Chen, please don't laugh at me. This is the custom in our family. We have established a family relationship. The young master feels sorry for me, so he gives me my freedom..."

"Then you are back now, but..."

Chen Ke looked at Zhang Yi and Kong Ne, wondering what their relationship should be now.
"I'm used to staying at the Kong family, and I don't know how to make a living, so I just came back to feed the young master's wound..."

"No, you are not my servant now!"

Kong Ne and Zhang Yi had already discussed it, and their identities were decoupled to a certain extent.

The conversation between them made Chen Ke thoughtful.

The little Zhang in front of him had made a lot of money from him, and he originally wanted to pave a way for this little guy to be used by him.

It's a pity that he left Yingtian inexplicably. Chen Ke didn't feel anything at first.

It was only after this kid left that he realized that Kong Ne rarely paid any attention to him, and he understood the importance of this little guy.

Kong Ne is a young man from an aristocratic family who is seeking fame and reputation. He is aloof and not down to earth.

He thought that by virtue of his kindness to Kong Kejian, he could draw closer to Kong Ne, but after Zhang Yi left, Chen Ke discovered that the interaction between the children of such aristocratic families and himself was actually very boring.

Conne did remember his favor, but several times he wanted to cooperate with Conne, but was rejected by Conne.

Only then did he realize that Kong Ne was actually not down to earth.

A lot of business was done between them thanks to his clever little servant.

Now that Zhang Yi is back, Chen Ke naturally has many thoughts:

"The little brother redeemed his life but did not forget the kindness of the Kong family. It is really rare...

By the way, I would also like to thank Brother Zhang! "

Chen Ketu said seriously and bowed to Zhang Yi.

His actions shocked everyone present.

“Without the guidance of my little brother to open an auction house, I wouldn’t be where I am today!
Brother Zhang is my lucky star, and I have always wanted to thank Brother Zhang..."

Chen Ke praised Zhang Yi very much, and Zhang Yi quickly waved his hand:

"Back then, I just listened to the conversation between the young master and the others and wrote down some things!" "Brother Zhang, I see that you are no longer a thing in the pool, haha...

Speaking of which, Shen also received favors from his little brother! "

Shen Wansan was on the side and had never had a chance to interject, so he quickly said something now.

Zhang Yi looked at Shen Wansan. He hadn't seen him for three years. The old man's face was also glowing, but he was a little thinner.

Zhang Yi said deliberately:
"Mr. Shen, what's happened to you recently? You've become a lot thinner?"

Shen Wansan pretended to be worried:
"Forget it, His Majesty recruited people to build the city wall, and I got a title. Working hard for the country will inevitably lead to a lack of food and drink..."

Although he was complaining in his mouth, his face was full of "please come and praise me" expression.

Zhang Yi chuckled secretly:

"Mr. Shen can take care of the country's worries. If he does well, he will definitely please His Majesty!"

These words must have been said against one's will. To put it bluntly, the imperial court allowing rich people like Shen Wansan to build the city wall was in itself a kind of robbery of wealth.

The imperial court did not want to provide money, but handed over what it should do to the wealthy households in another way.

This is actually equivalent to a disguised tax.

But even so, rich people like Shen Wansan are still very willing to do it.

There is no other reason. The social status of businessmen is too low, and the tasks given by the court are often regarded by them as opportunities.

A reward from the emperor is nothing short of glorious.

But they don’t know that those in power may not look at them twice.

Chen Ke is like this, Shen Wansan is like this.

This is true as long as class exists nakedly.

Naturally, he would not expose Shen Wansan's vanity.

At this time, Chen Ke answered: "Maybe it's the reward given to you by that adult..."

"Which lord?"

Zhang Yi and Kong Ne looked at each other. Is Shen Wansan also a noble person?

Chen Ke laughed and said:

"You remember the Yang Xian case back then, the outbreak of this case was caused by his old man Shen. Our shopkeeper Shen kept it secret. I thought he was a hero, but who knew he had a backer...

If he hadn't been drunk last time, who would have known6"

"Old Chen..."

Shen Wansan came in mysteriously and stopped Chen Ke.

"Don't mention that adult's name casually!"

Shen Wansan said seriously: "Your Excellency has been very kind to me and knows how to repay his kindness. I would like to visit him, but on the surface he ignores me at all!
I, Shen Wansan, don’t want to use your reputation as an adult to go out and mess around, otherwise..."

Zhang Yi looked at Shen Wansan's righteous tone and didn't believe the other person's lies at all.

If Shen Wansan didn't want to say it, he would never be drunk.

A businessman's status is humble, and it is his instinct to cling to powerful people. If he has no backer, a ninth-grade sesame official can kill him, the richest man in Jiangnan, at will.

Most of Shen Wansan's relationship was because he couldn't get enough of it, but he was unwilling to do so, so he deliberately kept it mysterious.

Making others feel that there is someone behind him is Shen Wansan's way of survival.

Normally no one would believe this kind of thing, but Shen Wansan was indeed the trigger of the Yang Xian case.

He said that someone was pointing from behind, which made sense, but who was that person?
Zhang Yi walked over and pulled Shen Wansan's sleeve:

"Mr. Shen, you are biased. How come shopkeeper Chen knows that we can't know? Does it mean you don't regard us as your own?"

After Shen Wansan refused, he really couldn't refuse, so he mysteriously dipped a little tea and wrote the character "Li" on the table?
Li Shanchang?
Zhang Yi and Kong Ne were surprised, so the driving force behind Yang Xian's case was Li Shanchang?
If so, this would make sense.

The two of them quickly shut up. It was one thing to know the backer behind Shen Wansan, but if it was involved in a major court case, they'd better stay away!
Zhang Yi was deeply touched. Under the shadow of history, undercurrents surged!

"I, Shen Wansan, will never forget that gentleman's kindness. It's a pity that he doesn't want what happened that night to be exposed, so I can only shut up. Everyone, please don't tell anyone..."

"You'd better pray that this doesn't reach Li Shanchang's ears!"

Zhang Yi secretly smiled, Shen Wansan was also a wonderful person, and his impression of him was not bad.

Shen Wansan was alone and said:

"After repairing the city wall this time, I have lived up to the divine grace. After a while, I heard that the palace would summon me. I thought of our Majesty's achievements. Shen felt that it was not enough. Everyone, Shen has something to ask you! "

"Brother Shen, please tell me!"

A trace of envy flashed in Chen Ke's eyes. It was a very good opportunity to meet the emperor.

Zhu Yuanzhang was considered an emperor who was willing to meet the common people, and he had seen many ordinary people.

But it is not easy for businessmen to get this opportunity.

Shen Wansan spent huge sums of money to build the city wall, which gave him this opportunity. Not to mention whether other businessmen have Shen Wansan's wealth, there is no opportunity...

"I looked at those soldiers and followed the civilians to build the city wall. We people worked hard, and those military officers also worked hard, so I want to tell the emperor that I will fund it and reward the three armies!"

After he finished speaking, several people present took a breath.

This old guy is so generous!

How many troops will he reward, and how much money or materials will he reward?
If he were to succeed in this matter, his reputation as Shen Wansan would probably spread throughout the world.

Chen Ke lowered his head and pondered, with a tangled expression on his face.

Zhang Yi, on the other hand, raised the corners of his mouth slightly. History has its own inertia. As expected, this guy returned to the path of seeking death.

"Brother Shen is so generous!"

Chen Ke first smiled bitterly and clasped his fists, expressing his admiration for Shen Wansan's behavior.

Shen Wansan was overjoyed. Sure enough, they also thought this was a good idea?

drink!

Lao Shen was happy, poured a glass of wine, and had a drink with Chen Ke.

Then he turned to Konne and wanted to hear his opinion.

Kong Ne struggled there for a long time, but had no idea.

Although he is good at reading, he is also an idiot when it comes to this kind of thing.

Now that Chen Ke had agreed, Kong Ne also followed Chen Ke's wishes and said:

"Shopkeeper Shen is very generous. Your Majesty knows that Shopkeeper Shen is sincere. Even if he disagrees, he will still miss Shopkeeper Shen!"

When Shen Wansan heard this, he smiled happily.

The most important thing for a businessman is investment, and Shen Wansan himself thinks so.

If the emperor agrees with his approach, he will naturally have a bright future.

But if the emperor disagrees, he himself will lose a favor, so why not?

"drink wine!"

Kong Ne and Chen Ke both agreed, and Shen Wansan felt it was okay.

He didn't ask Zhang Yi's opinion. Although Zhang Yi was indeed very smart, he also recognized Zhang Yi.

But this kid was born as a servant after all, so what does he know about the world?
"Respect Brother Shen!"

Kong Ne and Chen Ke both toasted seriously, but found that Zhang Yi didn't move.

"Zhang Yi, why don't you toast to Shopkeeper Shen?"

Kong Na, as Zhang Yi's former "master", saw that he was rude and reminded him.

"I just don't understand. Should I pay for this wine as a tribute to Shopkeeper Shen, or as a gift to Shopkeeper Shen?"

His words made the expressions of the three people present change drastically.

(End of this chapter)