The Ming Dynasty’s Prodigal Son - Chapter 1553

[1553. Chapter 1475 The Fundamentals of the Country]

This discovery was really shocking to Emperor Hongzhi.

If this is really the case, then… all this could not be clearer.

Among the civil and military officials, there are many smart people.

How could he indulge a Ruyi bank and attract savings in Beijing with great fanfare for a year?

Previously, there was no report on this matter.

Some people just don’t know.

For example, Fang Jifan only learned about it after the fact.

There are also people who, perhaps due to biased information, do not care about these things.

Of course, there are also some dignitaries who have been paying attention to it for a long time and are interested in it.

But…doesn’t anyone really see something?

It’s not that they didn’t see it, it’s that they had already seen it, but found that there was profit in it, so they took advantage of it.

However, Fang Jifan detonated the Ruyi Bank in advance, completely ruining their plan.

Because of this, a group of people were dissatisfied with Fang Jifan. It seems that it was not just that Fang Jifan only gave them 60% of their silver.

What’s more, Fang Jifan ruined their profit-seeking plan. Their loss was not only the 40% of the principal, but also the huge gains that they thought they were bound to gain.

They are Ruyi Bank’s biggest accomplices.

But… after the incident broke out, they could still openly impeach and criticize Ruyi Bank and the other party’s successor.

Emperor Hongzhi had a sullen face, his face was sallow, and his whole body was cold.

This discovery was nothing short of a huge shock to him.

This is betrayal.

I still have a lot of preference for scholars, even if the implementation of the New Deal in recent years has deviated from their original intentions.

But now…

the steward of Jiang Mansion remained silent when he saw Emperor Hongzhi.

Fang Jifan and others seemed to be aware of the seriousness of the problem and remained silent.

The steward rolled his eyes slightly and continued: “These are all childish words… Haha… Haha…”

“Yes.” Emperor Hongzhi suddenly spoke.

He actually suppressed this anger forcefully.

Getting angry now is of no use.

Emperor Hongzhi slowly smiled: “I am here on the orders of Xishan Bank to verify the return of stolen money. Although Jiang Yushijia did not invest any money, I heard that many dignitaries did so secretly. It’s money, so I came to ask to avoid any oversights.”

The steward immediately shook his head and said, “No, no, no, Jiang Mansion has nothing to do with Ruyi Bank. It’s all nonsense, kid.”

“No?” Emperor Hongzhi smiled. He

stood and looked at the steward: “If that’s the case, then I’m sorry.”

He stood up and said, “I’m just here to verify. If you say no, then of course it’s not. Sorry.”

With that, he walked away.

The steward finally breathed a sigh of relief and was a little worried, but when he thought about it carefully, he was just a banker running errands after all, so he didn’t seem to need to take these things to heart.

…

Emperor Hongzhi led his people out of Jiang Mansion.

He remained silent, and Zhu Houzhao and Fang Jifan behind him did not dare to step forward to touch his troubles.

Zhu Houzhao only pulled Fang Jifan’s sleeve and turned it over and over.

Fang Jifan was angry and scolded in a low voice: “What are you looking for? I don’t have any money.”

Zhu Houzhao pouted and muttered: “I just saw a lot.”

“I am a conscientious person, and I gave it all to that old pawn.” Fang Jifan was straightforward. “It’s gone now.”

Zhu Houzhao said with a look of resentment: “I’m worse off than an old soldier, and I’m still in debt.”

“Huzhao, succeed the vassal.”

Emperor Hongzhi suddenly spoke.

Upon hearing His Majesty’s call, Zhu Houzhao quickly stopped, and Fang Jifan cheered up in unison, and hurriedly stepped forward and said: “Your Majesty…”

Emperor Hongzhi frowned and said in a deep voice: “Judging from the words of the steward of Jiang Mansion, this person… …I guess I know the inside story. It will be useful to note this person down.”

Fang Jifan understood the meaning of Emperor Hongzhi’s words and just said: “When will we do it?”

Zhu Houzhao also looked very excited: “Why don’t you do it now? Just go…”

“No hurry.” Emperor Hongzhi said expressionlessly.

What he tasted was betrayal.

You can be incompetent, pedantic, or even talk nonsense, but you cannot betray or treat the emperor as a fool.

Emperor Hongzhi looked ahead, his eyes far away, and said slowly: “This matter is not just one person, so there is no need to alert others.”

Fang Jifan said casually as he was accustomed to: “Your Majesty is really aware of everything…”

“Shut up.” Emperor Hongzhi retracted His eyes fell on Fang Jifan, and he scolded: “From the beginning to the end, I have been the stupidest one… It’s a blessing that you still said such things.”

Fang Jifan kicked the iron plate with his kick and felt a little embarrassed. He chuckled: “Emperors in ancient times all thought they were smart and acted on their own will. However, Your Majesty thinks he is stupid and will examine himself from time to time. This makes me admire him very much. The son thought to himself, in terms of intelligence, who can be as good as Zhuge Kongming? In the play, Zhuge Kongming can be said to be very wise and almost a monster. However, everyone has his flaws, and there will always be mistakes. A foolish monarch is stupid. Without knowing it. A wise monarch will be complacent when he has achieved some achievements. Only your Majesty, who has achieved martial virtue, can still reflect on himself. This is the most admirable thing about your Majesty. Learn more from Your Majesty.”

Xiao Jing, who had been following quietly, had a twitch on his face.

He was quite happy when he heard Emperor Hongzhi reprimanding Fang Jifan. You see, he was unlucky.

But now after listening to Fang Jifan’s words, although his desire to compete for favors has subsided, his heart still couldn’t help but feel a little bit. Damn it, this Fang Jifan is not only better at being quick-witted, but also better at being thick-skinned. We are really not as good as him.

Emperor Hongzhi couldn’t help but smile bitterly when he heard this.

What else can I say?

Emperor Hongzhi sighed bitterly: “I want to know how many people like Jiang Yan there are. So…”

Emperor Hongzhi took a deep look at Fang Jifan, and then continued: “Xishan Bank, you need to check the accounts carefully, sir. How many of the nobles have secretly invested money? This is the bank’s business. There must be evidence and there must be no omissions.”

Fang Jifan nodded quickly and said, “I understand.”

Emperor Hongzhi sighed: “The palace. “I don’t want to go back. In that palace, I am like a blind and deaf person, being deceived everywhere. I… suddenly want to drink.”

Zhu Houzhao’s eyes suddenly lit up and he said enthusiastically: “Drink, Father. There is…”

Fang Jifan immediately interrupted: “Your Majesty, don’t listen to the prince’s nonsense. Neither the prince nor the prince like to drink, but if the father wants to drink, I will think of a way.”

… …

There is plenty of wine in Xishan.

After all, the garrison station is here, and there are countless grains from the experimental fields piled up in mountains, a considerable part of which is used to make wine.

Wen Yansheng has nothing to do every day, and occasionally thinks about making wine.

Therefore, when he brought a jar of wine from the cellar, Emperor Hongzhi saw that he looked familiar, thought for a moment, and couldn’t help but said: “But Wen Yansheng, the former magistrate of Ningbo.”

After Wen Yansheng saluted, he said with a smile: “That’s right. Common people.”

Emperor Hongzhi looked at Wen Yansheng strangely: “You are an official of the imperial court, why do you live here as a mere cook?”

Wen Yansheng looked at Emperor Hongzhi deeply.

He acted calm.

After all… if a person is no longer interested in fame and wealth, he will naturally have no desires and desires. Without desires, he will be strong. Therefore, even if he meets the emperor, he will not be too excited and frightened.

Wen Yansheng said: “Because…freedom.”

“Freedom…” Emperor Hongzhi read these two words, showing confusion.

Wen Yansheng smiled and said: “In this world, everyone wants to seek fame and fortune. It can be said that thousands of troops and horses cross the single-plank bridge. In order to have a place in the temple, they rack their brains. Every day is like a burning fire. Days like this …What’s the benefit? But the common people are different. No one in the world wants to be a cook, so they stay away from cooking. All the talented people in the world are becoming officials. The common people are not talented and cannot compare with these talented people. It’s better to be a cook comfortably than to be an official. Why not?”

Emperor Hongzhi was stunned and seemed to think there was some truth.

At least, the Wen Yansheng in front of him had a rich face and a very nourishing look.

Although he is the emperor, he has gray hair early…

Emperor Hongzhi sighed and said: “What you said makes sense, but it’s a pity… I inherited the inheritance from my ancestors, just want to be a cook and do something I like. I’m afraid I won’t be able to do it. Come… Sit down at Qing’s house, and you can accompany me.”

Then Emperor Hongzhi glared at Zhu Houzhao who was sitting beside him: “Sit down.”

Zhu Houzhao looked pleased with himself.

He likes Wen Yansheng because Wen Yansheng can do what he likes. Just like he wants to be a general, or a top spinner, or a doctor, but even if that doesn’t work, he can still be a scientist who is deaf to what’s going on outside the window, but it’s a pity…he can’t do it.

It would be good for his father to listen to Mr. Wen more.

Maybe he would be willing to let him do what he likes.

Who would have expected…

Under the gaze of Emperor Hongzhi, he had no choice but to sit down obediently and give up his position to Wen Yansheng.

Wen Yansheng was not afraid of these red tapes and looked very comfortable. He sat next to Emperor Hongzhi and said with a gentle smile: “Your Majesty, this is wine brewed by ordinary people. It uses the distillation method and the grain used is all from the fields.” The wine produced in the experimental field is extraordinary and very spicy. I’m afraid your majesty won’t be used to it.”

Emperor Hongzhi smiled and said, “Isn’t it too wasteful to use such good food to make wine?”

After all… he still did not deviate from his responsibilities as the emperor. In his opinion, a good emperor could not condone drinking and making wine. After all… wine at this time was a luxury and was made from grain. Yes, food… is the foundation of the country.

(End of chapter)