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Chapter 514: The Rear (I)

In fact, Pingzhou has been the princess's territory since the day when Dr. Sun and his son went to Pingzhou. However, the words "legitimate" and "justifiable" are too important.

Lu Cong became the governor of Pingzhou, and he could truly and thoroughly control Pingzhou. In the future, Pingzhou and Nanyang County would look at each other from a distance and respond to each other, and then use the rapidly expanding Tang's grain shop to spread its influence...

"Ten years," Chen Changshi suddenly uttered two words in a low voice.

Only Feng Changshi could understand these two meaningless words: "It won't take ten years. Eight years will be enough for Nanyang County to cover the north."

"The princess has displayed her divine power in the court. There are many smart and capable provincial governors in various states, and many of them have privately shown goodwill to our Nanyang County." Chen Changshi smiled happily and stroked his beard.

Feng Changshi smiled and continued, "In the past few months, more and more refugees have come to seek refuge here. To be honest, I can't even count the exact number now."

The north had experienced several years of natural disasters, and countless people had abandoned their homes to escape famine. The fact that Nanyang County privately accepted refugees had long been quietly spread. Tang's grain store became the best channel for refugees to flee to Nanyang County.

Nanyang County was expanding rapidly, and the influx of people had even equaled the original population. The total population had doubled. In other words, the number of people registered in the household register was already 200,000, far exceeding the number of northern counties.

Population is the greatest wealth. Refugees are still rushing in, including many skilled craftsmen and some wealthy middle-class families. If this continues, the population of Nanyang County will reach an astonishing number in the next few years.

Nanyang County has its own strict rules and regulations for settling refugees. Under the strict implementation of the 14 county magistrates, there has been no major chaos. However, there are countless trivial matters. Thanks to the concerted efforts of Feng Changshi and Chen Changshi, the two Changshis have managed Nanyang County in an orderly manner when the princess is not at home.

"The Royal Guards have been expanding and recruiting new soldiers." Feng Changshi habitually took out his abacus, made a few calculations, and became a little worried: "Maintaining troops is really too expensive. No matter how rich our palace is, we can't afford to spend it like this."

Chen Changshi smiled and flattered his friend: "You are the chief steward of the palace. With you taking care of the internal affairs, the princess can stay in the capital with peace of mind, and I will feel at ease too."

"The Minister of Finance in the capital is just better off than you in terms of family background. His daughter was the former queen, and his granddaughter is Princess Baohua. But in terms of his ability to manage money, he is far inferior to you."

Feng Changshi's eyes flashed with a hint of complacency, and he smiled and rolled his eyes at Chen Changshi: "Okay, stop trying to fool me all day. I'm used to working like a slave for the princess. I won't quit just because you complain a few times."

"You say, the princess is so powerful in the capital that she will be dazzled by power and stay in the capital forever?"

Having tasted the power in your hands, can you give it up so easily?
Chen Changshi thought for a moment and said, "The princess said she would come back before the New Year, so she will definitely come back. We must trust the princess."

Feng Changshi was still a little uneasy, and whispered: "What if, I mean what if, the princess only allows Chen Sheren to come back to get married and stay in the capital, how should we deal with it?"

Chen Changshi had obviously considered this possibility: "If that is the case, we will continue to protect Nanyang County for the princess. No matter when, Nanyang County is the princess's base camp and the basis for her to stand proudly in the court."

This makes sense.

Feng Changshi agreed with it and nodded vigorously.

At this moment, a long-servant hurried in with a pile of documents. Chen Changshi immediately went to work, and Feng Changshi also returned to his own account room and called Tang Youyin over. "Bring all the account books of the Tang family grain store this month. I want to calculate them carefully."

Tang Youyin bowed and accepted the order, then quickly went to find a stack of account books.

With the princess's instruction and full support, Tang's grain shop has now opened more than 20 stores. Each grain shop is equipped with one or two hundred highly skilled "housekeepers".

The main business of the grain shop is to sell new grains and various fruit and vegetable seeds. At the same time, it also shoulders the important task of secretly absorbing refugees and gathering local news.

It can be said that Tang's grain shop is the tentacle of Nanyang County's infiltration to the north. It is very important. Every branch shop sends account books back to the palace every month. The energetic Feng Changshi personally counts the account books every month, and also intends to supervise the grain shop.

Tang Youyin had already put himself in the right position. When Feng Changshi was checking the account books, he was ruthless and even more demanding than Feng Changshi.

Feng Changshi smiled and said, "Don't keep a close eye on him. It's not easy to run a grain store outside. The shopkeeper and the shop assistants have to work hard away from home. The princess has instructed that there can be a slight error in the calculation of the accounts."

Tang Youyin said, "That won't do. Greed is fostered by indulgence. We must check the accounts strictly from the beginning. Once we find someone playing tricks, we will expel them from the Tang family."

Every Tang family grain store had a shopkeeper with the surname Tang. Some were from the direct branch, some were from the side branch, and some changed their surnames to become Tang family adopted sons. In short, they were all Tang family descendants.

Tang Youyin was familiar with his brothers and nephews, so he was particularly vigilant when checking the accounts. This month's account book found a family with problems.

Tang Youyin was very angry in his heart, but his face was calm. He held the account book of the grain shop in front of Feng Changshi and said, "Feng Changshi, the account of this grain shop is not true. The shopkeeper is called Tang Youliang, my sixth uncle's cousin. He has been greedy since he was a child, and he likes to secretly make money in everything he does. He made a mistake when selling grain in the past, was severely punished, and has been locked up at home."

"Last year, the grain store was short of workers, so my father gave him a good scolding before letting him go out to work. It's only been a year, and he's back to his old ways."

"On the surface, the account book is balanced. However, the other grain shops have some surplus, only this grain shop has been losing money. There must be something fishy. Please ask Chief Secretary Feng to order someone to go to the grain shop for a thorough investigation."

Although Feng Changshi didn't say it, he actually admired Tang Youyin's ability and decisiveness. Hearing this, he asked, "Who do you think is the most suitable person to go?"

Tang Youyin responded without hesitation: "I'll go!"

Tang Youyin's biological father, Tang Wu, is the head of the Tang family. Now that Tang Youyin is working in the palace, it would be most appropriate for him to go and check the Tang family's grain shop in person without causing any gossip.

Feng Changshi thought for a moment and nodded in agreement.

Tang Youyin moved quickly. He packed his luggage that day and left quietly in the afternoon.

Feng Changshi praised Tang Youyin in front of Chen Changshi: "He is a man with a plan. He knows what is most important!"

……