"Fifty thousand taels..."

"The Prime Minister is really rich."

"Just for a painting, he spent fifty thousand taels."

"A dan of fine rice costs about fifty coins. One tael of silver is worth a thousand coins, which can buy twenty dan of rice. Fifty thousand taels of silver is enough to buy over a million dan of grain! A normal soldier's annual salary is only two hundred dan of grain, but that's enough to support five thousand elite soldiers!"

Ouyang Zheng was sitting opposite Ning Que.

He is not very old, only about thirty years old.

He was about to leave for Linzi County to serve as the prefect. He was thinking of visiting Ning Que before leaving, since he had personally recommended him. Furthermore, Linzi County was officially Ning Que's fiefdom. However, Ning Que had surrendered it to the state, enjoying only the land rent and no right to govern.

Seeing Sima Changqing spend fifty thousand taels for a painting, Ouyang Zheng immediately showed dissatisfaction. He was a pragmatic person and would never spend so much money on a painting.

"Mr. Ouyang, there's no need to be so excited."

“That’s a lot of money!”

Ning Que smiled, pushed the tea leaves over and said, "This is how the world works. Mr. Ouyang's idea is good, but it's unrealistic. Human nature is evil, and when one has absolute power, evil tends to breed. In fact, the Prime Minister's family is considered good. They have a high salary, and they also run a business."

"I am just feeling resentful!"

"You all are humble servants."

"They don't know how to serve the country and the people, but are like termites that have burrowed into the towering tree of Dafeng, stealing nutrients. Eventually, the termites will grow larger, and the tree will become rotten wood. They steal copper today, gold tomorrow. If they are not restrained, how can the people survive?"

Ouyang Zheng became more and more excited as he spoke.

I wish I could go downstairs and scold these people right now.

Ning Que looked at his blushing face and felt helpless.

It's really not easy to change this kid's idea!