The Ming Dynasty started with caution

Young Master does things without asking too many questions.

How could he know that Yan Chengjin was going to go out at night, so he went to the palace to invite Wang Yue.

Wang Yue was puzzled: "What is my nephew going to Jixian Tower for? That's where some poor scholars stay."

Of course, it was to "accidentally meet" Han Wen...

When he arrived at Jixian Tower, Yan Chengjin got off the sedan chair. Several beautiful women were showing off in front of the building. He didn't expect Han Wen to come here to drink wine.

Wearing a muzzle, Yan Chengjin stepped into Jixian Tower. There were people playing music and dancing in the lobby.

In a secluded elegant seat, Han Wen, who was wearing gorgeous clothes, seemed to be appreciating poems. The plump woman next to him was concentrating on writing something.

There were many women with outstanding talents in the brothel. After falling into the dust, they attracted many literati to come and exchange and discuss.

"What a coincidence?"

When Han Wen saw Yan Chengjin, he was so shocked that he couldn't close his mouth. He, who was always calm, became a little flustered.

"It's not what Lord Yan thinks. I'm not that kind of person."

After the geisha stood up and left, Yan Chengjin said, "I know that being the Minister of Revenue is stressful, and it's normal for people to indulge themselves. In fact, I'm not that kind of person."

The Ming Dynasty was not a monogamous society, so visiting a brothel was nothing.

Yan Chengjin was very open-minded.

Han Wen was shocked and looked around. Fortunately, there was no one nearby.

After Yan Chengjin sat down, he got straight to the point: "I met you. I want to discuss with you about the opening of a waterway in Liangxiang."

Even though he was caught, Han Wen still frowned: "It's too much waste, and the Ministry of Revenue can't afford it."

"The summer tax has just passed, and it's the time when the treasury is full. How can the warehouse be out of money?"

"With the opening of the canal, Liangxiang will definitely pay 60,000 taels of silver for the autumn tax at the end of next year. Lord Han will make a profit." Yan Chengjin said.

The Yan Mansion can also take out 50,000 taels of silver, but taking out so much silver at once will definitely arouse the vigilance of the Jinyiwei.

Han Wen said unhappily: "You followed me here on purpose, right?"

Yan Chengjin nodded: "I can write an IOU on behalf of Liangxiang, and I will definitely pay the Ministry of Revenue 60,000 taels of silver when the autumn harvest comes next year."

Han Wen was thoughtful. A county town paid 60,000 taels of commercial tax, which was comparable to the tax of a prefecture.

"If I don't give it, will you impeach me?"

Yan Chengjin took out an impeachment memorial from his chest. Han Wen was shocked. This bastard even wrote the memorial?

For the sake of caution, Yan Chengjin prepared three countermeasures.

Han Wen is a rare upright official in the Ming Dynasty. It is most appropriate for him to control the Ministry of Revenue. I don't want to force him to resign.

"Write the IOU."

Yan Chengjin took out another note from his sleeve.

"..." Han Wen.

Even the IOU was written...

After taking it and looking at it, Han Wen couldn't help but wonder: "Why is it signed by Zhang Xian from Liangxiang?"

"Zhang Xian is the magistrate of Liangxiang, so of course he should sign it."

Han Wen looked at him meaningfully: "I came here just to exchange poetry skills, Lord Yan, please don't impeach me randomly and cause misunderstandings."

"I have always kept my mouth shut."

...

In the early morning, the clouds were shining.

After the morning court, Han Wen came to the warm room to meet the emperor.

"Your Majesty, I beg to open the waterway from Liangxiang to Lugou Bridge."

Emperor Hongzhi's face was very complicated: "Didn't you reject Yan Chengjin's request, why did you ask for it yourself?"

Han Wen blushed, because Yan Chengjin ran into him in the brothel, "Yan Chengjin gave me an IOU last night. Next year's autumn grain, Liangxiang will pay 60,000 taels of tax silver."

Li Dongyang's heart moved.

A customs office for water transport can't collect so much silver in a year.

Emperor Hongzhi was as upset as if a big stone had fallen into an ancient well, but he kept silent: "How do you know?"

"I sent people to investigate the accounts of Liangxiang households, and Liangxiang has received as much as 170,000 taels of silver."

"170,000 taels!" Emperor Hongzhi said in a lost voice.

Yan Chengjin always told me that Liangxiang was poor...

"Where did all the money go?"

Han Wen took a deep breath: "Your Majesty, don't worry, Liangxiang did not embezzle. It spent so much money on purchasing iron tools for refugees, paying summer taxes, and building a library."

He was also shocked when he heard such an account.

Emperor Hongzhi snorted coldly: "Summon Yan Chengjin and Zhang Xian to see me!"

"Your Majesty, Zhang Xian is far away in Liangxiang, I'm afraid it will take a while..."

"Summon Yan Chengjin to see me!"

The eunuch hurried to the yamen of the Censorate. Emperor Hongzhi waited in the hall for nearly half an hour, but Yan Chengjin did not come.

"Why hasn't this guy come yet!"

Li Dongyang muttered: "This guy must have heard that your majesty was furious, so he deliberately delayed."

Emperor Hongzhi suddenly realized that this guy was extremely cautious and was afraid that I would chop off his head, so he deliberately delayed coming. "Xiao Banban, go and bring him here."

A moment later, Yan Chengjin strode into the hall: "Your servant Yan Chengjin..."

"Liangxiang collected so much tax silver, why didn't you hand it over to Taicang? You actually embezzled the tax silver privately, do you know what crime you committed!" Emperor Hongzhi's voice was mixed with anger.

Yan Chengjin ruthlessly presented two sketches, a Shangfang sword, and a gold medal of immunity from death.

Emperor Hongzhi's old face twitched suddenly: "You just... went back to the palace to get the Shangfang sword?"

"Your majesty is wise."

Han Wen's face was weird, he knew all about this dirty gold medal of immunity from death.

Emperor Hongzhi snorted coldly and looked at the two paintings. One showed starving people everywhere and inhumanity, while the other showed people living in peace and prosperity.

"What is this?"

"If the tax silver is paid, the first picture will be the future Liangxiang. If the tax silver is left, the second picture will be the future Liangxiang. Liangxiang is too poor." Yan Chengjin glanced at Emperor Hongzhi secretly: "Most of the silver was spent on the library. There are accounts in the household of the government office."

Emperor Hongzhi felt a pain in his heart, and he was reluctant to spend so much money on the repairs in the palace.

"If the waterway is opened, can the autumn grain harvest next year be 60,000 taels of silver?"

"Yes."

Emperor Hongzhi knew that this guy was cautious, so he secretly added 20,000 taels and said: "I won't bother with you. The silver collected from the autumn grain next year will be more than 60,000 taels, right?"

In fact, 120,000 taels can be collected throughout the year.

Since Your Majesty always gives him a 20% increase, Yan Chengjin has already reduced it by 50%. Your Majesty adds 20%, and there is still 30% left.

"Your Majesty, do you agree that the Ministry of Revenue will allocate silver?"

Emperor Hongzhi nodded and said, "I will keep this IOU. If I cannot collect it, I will settle the account with you!"

"I will use the imperial sword as a guarantee!"

Li Dongyang blushed and lowered his head. Anyway, he would be too embarrassed to tell others that this guy was his student in this life.

...

Zhang Xian organized the refugees and prepared to open a waterway in Liangxiang.

There is a Qianwei River in Liangxiang. The river water was diverted through Liangxiang County and together with the Lugou River, the grain transport in Liangxiang was established.

"This is the waterway map. Dig according to the waterway on the map. Three meals a day will be provided, and three cents will be paid."

Zhang Xian took a look. This waterway passed through the skyscraper in Liangxiang and connected to the Lugou River.

"I will do it right away."

In winter, the refugees' straw huts leaked air. There was little difference between staying inside and outside, and working could also relax the body.

Hearing that they would be provided with food, the refugees brought their own iron tools and came to the government office to sign up for service.

Finally, they had a way to make a living in the winter.

…

After reviewing the memorials today, Emperor Hongzhi decided to go to the Zhanshi Mansion. As he walked, Xiao Jing said, "Your Majesty, there is something that I find very strange. The servants I assigned to be your tutors have all disappeared."

Emperor Hongzhi was slightly startled and turned around to ask, "Is this true?"