Eagle-eyed and wolf-watching

Chapter 1691 The Crown Prince's Choice!

Although somewhat tempted by Chen Mingyang's suggestion, Murong Yuliang, after careful consideration, shook her head and said...
"If both the Provincial Governor and the Provincial Surveillance Commissioner were to be involved in an incident, the impact would be enormous, detrimental to the development of Jiangnan, and likely to cause widespread panic!"

"Let's just leave it to Liu Yufeng. I think Tian Yu will understand things better after seeing Liu Yufeng get arrested!"

Seeing Murong Yuliang say this, Chen Mingyang was also somewhat unwilling.

In a system like the Great Qian, even a nobody may not have a high status, but if they are close to the core of power and have some influence over it, they can still enjoy some special treatment and privileges within the system!
For example, eunuchs, attendants of the Attendant-in-Ordinary, and guards of the Imperial Guard. This principle applies not only to the emperor but also to ministers in various regions. Even the clerks, advisors, and secretaries around ministers will benefit from this!

Chen Mingyang was originally an unknown nobody in Jiangnan, but after being valued by Murong Yuliang, his status rose accordingly, and he experienced the wonder of Q-power for the first time in his life.

Those usually high-ranking bosses, managers, and even county magistrates and prefects were all very enthusiastic towards him, and some even tried to curry favor with him!

Although Chen Mingyang knew perfectly well that this enthusiasm and flattery weren't for him, but for Murong Yuliang, and that he was merely using Murong Yuliang's influence as a pretext, he was still acting out of respect for Murong Yuliang.
Although Chen Mingyang outwardly remained humble, he was inwardly quite pleased, even somewhat smug...

However, not everyone treated Chen Mingyang, the advisor, with great respect. For example, there was Tian Yu, the Provincial Treasurer of Jiangnan, and Liu Yufeng, the Provincial Surveillance Commissioner of Jiangnan!

In other regions of the Great Qian Dynasty, the Provincial Administration Commissioner and the Provincial Surveillance Commissioner were basically the top two officials, powerful regional officials with high positions and great influence. They were practically the only ones who mattered in the local area, and could be considered local emperors!
However, Jiangnan is the region with the best economic development in Daqian and is the financial pillar of Daqian, which is very important to Ye Mingsheng and Daqian.

Therefore, Ye Mingsheng was not at ease handing over such an important region to others. So, he appointed Murong Yuliang, a senior figure and his father-in-law, as the governor of Jianghuai, putting him in charge of all affairs in Jiangnan and Huainan.
Although they were under the supervision of Murong Yuliang, the governor of Jianghuai, unlike the provincial governors and judicial commissioners in other regions who were autocratic and had no say in their affairs, Tian Yu and Liu Yufeng were still second only to the governor in Jiangnan. They had great influence and high status, and Murong Yuliang trusted them both very much!

Those shopkeepers, owners, and even county magistrates and prefects had to curry favor with Chen Mingyang, but in Tian Yu and Liu Yufeng's eyes, Chen Mingyang was still that insignificant person. They treated Chen Mingyang with the same condescension and showed him no respect whatsoever.

Especially Tian Yu, who had previously complained to Murong Yuliang that Chen Mingyang was using Murong Yuliang's name to seek personal gain. Murong Yuliang had severely reprimanded Chen Mingyang for this. If Chen Mingyang hadn't been quite capable and satisfied Murong Yuliang, he would have been expelled from the governor's office after that incident…

After experiencing such a thing, although Chen Mingyang still treated Tian Yu and Liu Yufeng with the utmost respect and dared not be negligent in the slightest, he harbored hatred for the two people in his heart!
Although it was Tian Yu who reported it, Tian Yu and Liu Yufeng were always in cahoots, practically inseparable. Therefore, Chen Mingyang believed that Liu Yufeng must have discovered what he had done and then told Tian Yu, who in turn reported the matter to Murong Yuliang!
If Murong Yuliang had shown no mercy and had actually kicked him out of the governor's office, Chen Mingyang knew very well what would have happened to him, the fox, without the protection of this tiger, Murong Yuliang!
Therefore, in Chen Mingyang's view, Tian Yu and Liu Yufeng wanted to put him to death. He, Chen Mingyang, had been struggling in Jiangnan for so many years and was not someone to be trifled with, much less a kind person who would repay kindness with enmity!

His belief is that an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth; if you can't kill me, then I will definitely kill you.

The reason he had been patient was simply to wait for the right opportunity. Now was the time for him to take revenge. Thinking of this, Chen Mingyang wanted to continue to persuade Murong Yuliang to bring Tian Yu along as well!
However, before Chen Mingyang could speak, Murong Yuliang looked at him.

Feeling Murong Yuliang's gaze, Chen Mingyang suddenly felt that Murong Yuliang had seen through his thoughts.

At the same time, Chen Mingyang realized that Murong Yuliang had made up his mind. If he forced a conversation, not only would he not drag Tian Yu into it, but it might also have some adverse effects...
Despite his reluctance, Chen Mingyang had no choice but to shut his mouth.

Just then, Murong Yuliang thought for a moment and asked again:

What do you think of Zhang Baoping?

Upon hearing Murong Yuliang mention Zhang Baoping's name, Chen Mingyang realized Murong Yuliang's thoughts. Although he instinctively wanted to agree, he thought of how friendly Zhang Baoping had been to him, how he had treated him like a brother despite being a prefect, and how Zhang had helped him a lot. So Chen Mingyang wanted to try to persuade his "Brother Zhang" to join him.

After a quick thought, Chen Mingyang had an idea:
"Lord Zhang is the Prefect of Lin'an, and he is in charge of many specific tasks in the commercial sector of Jiangnan. If something happens to Lord Zhang at this time, it will also affect the Provincial Surveillance Commissioner Liu Yufeng, which may have some impact on the development of Jiangnan. Moreover, the problem in Huainan this time is also quite significant!"

Murong Yuliang remained silent upon hearing this, simply sitting quietly in her chair, lost in thought. Chen Mingyang also kept quiet, not daring to disturb Murong Yuliang in the slightest.

After pondering for about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Murong Yuliang finally made his decision and said:
"That's Liu Yufeng and Wei Gaojie. Wei Gaojie made a lot of money in Huainan. The other day I made them spit out their money, and this bastard complained the most. He deserved it, so don't blame me!"

Upon hearing that Murong Yuliang had decided to make Liu Yufeng, the Provincial Surveillance Commissioner of Jiangnan, and Wei Gaojie, the Provincial Administration Commissioner of Huainan, take the blame, Chen Mingyang had no objections.
"Your Excellency is wise..."

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Zhuoxian, Jixiang Inn

Jingren stood aside, watching the other children playing on the swings in the yard, a hint of envy appearing in his eyes.

Although he really wanted to play with the children, Ye Mingsheng had made a three-point agreement with them before the inspection: they must follow orders when working together outside and must not act without permission.

So even though he was very envious, Jingren didn't dare to play with them without his father's permission.

Jingren, increasingly envious, simply stopped looking and returned to the inn. Just then, a guard carrying a lunchbox headed towards Ye Mingsheng's room.

Seeing this, Jingren couldn't help but ask:
"Is this bringing food to my dad?"

"Yes!"

"Let me do it!"

When the guard saw that Jingren was about to deliver food to Ye Mingsheng, he was taken aback. But by then, Jingren had already taken the lunchbox from his hand and walked towards Ye Mingsheng's room.

Although the guards were somewhat helpless, they did not snatch the lunchbox back from the Crown Prince Jingren. They simply watched silently as Jingren took the lunchbox and walked into Ye Mingsheng's room.

Just then, Jing Ren walked into his father's room with a lunchbox and found that his father and Zhang Hu were both looking up at him.

Seeing this, Jingren became slightly nervous, then picked up the lunchbox and said:
"Dad, I've brought you your food!"

Upon hearing this, Ye Mingsheng glanced at Zhang Hu, who immediately bowed and took his leave. After Zhang Hu left, Jing Ren brought the lunchbox to Ye Mingsheng and asked with some curiosity:
"Father, what is Guard Zhang reporting to you?"

Faced with this question about his son, Ye Mingsheng instinctively wanted to avoid it, as he didn't want Jingren to be exposed to the dark side of the underworld so early! However, Ye Mingsheng reconsidered, realizing that the purpose of bringing Jingren along on this inspection tour was to let him see the realities of life at the bottom of the Great Qian Dynasty, and the Zhuoxian incident presented a rare opportunity…
Thinking of this, Ye Mingsheng also spoke up:
"Jingren, after you went back, did you think about that question carefully?"

"Dad, are you referring to the issue of why those landlords, like Huang, don't want tax exemptions or tax reductions?"

"That's right, that's the problem!"

"I thought about this seriously after I got back! But I couldn't figure it out. I think it's really possible that those factory owners have a sense of nostalgia!"

Upon hearing the word "sentiment" from Jing Ren, Ye Mingsheng couldn't help but sneer:

"Jingren, a businessman's nature is to pursue profit, so when a businessman goes against his nature and starts talking about ideals, you'd better be wary!"

"Of course, we can't generalize and condemn all businessmen. There are certainly some businessmen with ideals, but such people are a very small minority in life!"

"When most businessmen start talking about ideals and passions, they're actually looking to pursue other interests!"

Jingren blinked, then asked thoughtfully:
"Dad, what profits are those factory owners seeking?"

"Jingren, what aspects do you think we need to consider when opening a factory?"

In response to his father's question, Jingren thought for a moment and said:
"To open a factory, you need land to build the factory buildings, workers to work for, and you also need to consider taxation!"

After speaking, Jingren also looked at Ye Mingsheng.

Ye Mingsheng nodded slightly and said:

"Jingren, you've covered most of it. So, in these respects, what benefits do you think Zhuoxian County has given them?"

Guided by Ye Mingsheng, Jingren pondered for a moment, then suddenly spoke:
"Were the land and people given away?"

Seeing that Jingren had answered correctly, Ye Mingsheng no longer concealed anything and said:
"The land occupied by these factories was all acquired from the local people with the help of the Zhuoxian County government. The factory owners only paid a very low price to obtain thousands of acres of land. In addition, the farmers who lost their land were also put into the factories under the arrangement of the government!"

"These factories are all XH factories. These people work at least five hours a day, and their food and lodging are comparable to those in prisoner-of-war camps. Their lives are so hard, but they only receive very meager wages!"

"Under such circumstances, the production costs for these factory owners in Zhuoxian County are very low. This is why these factory owners are willing to forgo tax exemptions and tax reductions to build factories in Zhuoxian County!"

Upon hearing this, Jingren was stunned and speechless. After a few seconds, he still spoke with some disbelief:
"How dare that Magistrate Wang do such a thing?"

Seeing Jing Ren's shocked expression, Ye Mingsheng said quietly:
"Jingren, what makes you think they wouldn't dare to do that?"

"Father, aren't they afraid of retribution?"

"Retribution? Hahaha, sometimes God is blind!"

Hearing his father say this, the Crown Prince of Daqian, who had not yet come to terms with reality, had a very complicated expression.

Upon seeing this, Ye Mingsheng continued his education:

“Jingren, remember this: whether it was the Great Zhou Dynasty or the Great Qian Dynasty, the system is all about superiors. A thousand complaints from the common people are not as good as one good word from your superior!”

"So if you want to get promoted and make a fortune, you have to satisfy your superiors as much as possible. As for the common people, they don't matter at all! Unless you push them to the limit and make them willing to risk everything, they can't decide your promotion!"

Upon hearing his father's words, Jingren instinctively wanted to retort, but Ye Mingsheng continued:

"Let me give you a real example!"

"About twenty years ago, a county magistrate of the Great Zhou Dynasty discovered that the dam built by the previous magistrate was now at risk of collapsing!"

"He now has three repair options. The first option is the most effective and safest, but also the most expensive. The second option is the second most effective, but also the second most expensive. The third option is better than nothing, but also the cheapest!"

"Jingren, if you were the magistrate, which option would you choose?"

Faced with his father's question, Jingren answered without hesitation:
"I would choose the first option; the lives of the people are the most important!"

Hearing his son's answer, Ye Mingsheng felt a little gratified, but still said coldly:
"Where will the money for repairing the dikes come from?"

Jing Ren said matter-of-factly:
"The taxes collected are taken from the people and used for the people!"

“Jingren, please note that the background of the events I mentioned is twenty years ago, at the end of the Zhou Dynasty. At that time, land annexation was rampant, and the land was all in the hands of the gentry. They were unwilling to pay taxes, so ordinary people could only become tenants under them!”

"So where do you collect your taxes from?"

"In reality, most government offices in the Great Zhou Dynasty were struggling to make ends meet. They were even in arrears with the wages of their servants, and had to borrow money from local gentry to pay their wages. Where would they get the money to build dikes?"