imperial clan
There was continuous summer rain outside the window. The fine raindrops hit the glazed tiles of Minyou Hall, making a continuous rustling sound, which made the hall even more silent.
Money, money.
Even if they raided the four wealthy merchants in Tongbei and got more than three million taels, facing a war that would destroy the country, this little money would only make a splash.
The eunuch came in quietly and reported: "Your Majesty, the Minister of Agriculture has requested an audience. He said he has an important matter that may alleviate your Majesty's worries."
Ning Lingyi rubbed her brows and said, "Announce."
Nong Zishi strode in, the hem of his official robe stained with mud and water, obviously he came in a hurry.
After paying his respects, he went straight to the point without beating around the bush: "Your Majesty, I have recently seen the treasury in dire straits. I have been tossing and turning, and have come up with a plan that may help raise some military funds."
Ning Lingyi looked up at him. Nong Zishi had always been pragmatic, so the "strategy" he mentioned must not be empty talk. "Oh? Minister Nong, do you have any good plans? Feel free to tell me."
Nong Zishi straightened his back and spoke in a loud voice, characteristically straightforward. "Your Majesty, I believe the court currently supports no fewer than ten thousand individuals, including princes and dukes of various ranks. The annual cost of salaries and rice allowances alone is no less than a million! This is a burden on the nation."
He said, "In my opinion, extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures. From now on, not only will we no longer have to pay these silver and grain, but we will also have to take a large sum of money from these royal family members to provide military funds!"
Ning Lingyi was stunned when she heard this, then burst out laughing: "Minister Nong, Minister Nong, you are actually trying to take advantage of the royal family?"
Nong Zishi's expression remained unchanged, and he spoke confidently, "Your Majesty, the fate of the nation rests with every man! The royal family, as descendants of the royal family, usually enjoys honor and glory, spending the national treasury. Now that the country is in trouble, it is time for them to step forward and share the burden of the country! How can they stand idly by?"
"That's easy to say." Ning Lingyi suppressed her smile and looked at him. "The royal family is very complicated. One move can affect the whole body. What do you think?"
Nong Zishi's eyes flashed with a hint of cruelty, but his tone was as calm as if he was discussing the weather. "In my opinion, these parasites, who bully men and women and exploit the people on a daily basis, aren't there enough? Killing them all and confiscating their property would be the cleanest and most efficient way. The gains would be more than tens of millions."
Ning Lingyi's hand holding the teacup paused slightly, and she looked up at him, only making a soft "hmm?" sound through her nose, and it was impossible to tell whether she was happy or angry.
Nong Zishi's aura instantly waned when he met her deep gaze. He quickly lowered his head, and his tone became much more "docile." "Of course, Your Majesty is kind and virtuous. How could you do such a cruel thing? I am only...only privately indignant."
He changed the subject, leaning closer, and said, "I've been busy in the capital for the past few years. Through my investigations, I've long since figured out which members of the royal family are guilty of the most evil deeds, and which, while enjoying themselves, are still restrained and retain some kindness. My intention is to persuade them to donate! Following the clues, I'll first visit those who are corrupt. I believe they will understand the greater good and be willing to donate."
Ning Lingyi looked at his weathered face that tried hard to look honest, and felt angry, amused, and even a little moved.
She was silent for a moment, then slowly said, "Zi Shi, do you know that once you start this, you'll be making enemies with all the royal families in the world? They'll hate you to the core, and the impeachment memorial against you could destroy this Minyou Palace! By then, public opinion will melt gold, and accumulated criticism will destroy bones. Even I may not be able to protect you all the time."
Nong Zishi waved his hand nonchalantly, returning to his usual composure: "Don't worry, Your Majesty! I have no children, no relatives, and no friends. Do they hate me? Do they want to scold me? Go ahead! If I frown, I won't be named Nong! For the sake of Your Majesty's kingdom and the food and wages of the soldiers on the front lines, I will risk my life!"
Ning Lingyi looked at him and sighed deeply in her heart.
Someone will eventually do this evil thing.
"Okay." She no longer hesitated and said in a deep voice, "I will allow you to do what you want."
She immediately picked up her pen, wrote down an edict herself, and stamped it with her seal.
The decree clearly stated that Nong Zishi was specially appointed as the "envoy to comfort the clan" to express condolences to the clan members on behalf of God, and specified that Wang Mengzi, the Marquis of Wuyi, would lead a team of elite soldiers to accompany him. Although it was called a guard, the purpose was self-evident.
"Take this imperial edict." Ning Lingyi handed it to Nong Zishi and looked at him deeply. "You can handle it yourself. I want money and food, but don't let it become a bloodbath or something out of control."
Nong Zishi took the imperial edict with both hands, as if he had received a royal sword: "Your Majesty, I obey your command! I will live up to your trust!"
*
At the first stop, Nong Zishi kicked open the door of Prince Yong’s Mansion.
Yong Wang Ning Kai is the cousin of Ning Lingyi. He is of a high generation and is always taking advantage of his seniority to bully others. He is greedy for money and goods. He owns countless land and shops and has done many things to bully others. He is a well-known Pi Xiu in the royal family who only takes in money and never gives out.
When Prince Yong saw Nong Zishi holding the imperial edict, followed by the ferocious Wang Mengzi, he felt a little uneasy and put on airs: "Nong Zishi? What do you mean by this? You brought troops to my palace, are you planning a rebellion?"
Nong Zishi's face remained expressionless as he unfolded the imperial edict and read it aloud. He then said, "Prince Yong, Your Majesty is deeply concerned about the soldiers of the Northern Frontier, but the treasury is empty. As an elder of the imperial clan, you are highly respected and virtuous. It is fitting that you step forward at this time to share Your Majesty's concerns and set an example for the world. I have come here to ask Your Majesty to donate to the military pay."
When Prince Yong heard about the request for money, he jumped up like a cat whose tail was stepped on. "Donate to what? Donate to what?! I don't even have any grain left in my palace! You are blackmailing me! I want to see His Majesty! I want to file a complaint!"
Nong Zishi wasn't annoyed. He leisurely pulled a pamphlet from his sleeve, flipped it open, and read slowly: "In the third year of the Guangqi reign, the prince forcibly seized 300 acres of fertile farmland in Lizhuang, in the western suburbs, and forced five tenants to death. In the first year of the Shenggong reign, the prince's silk and satin shop sold inferior goods as high-quality ones, colluded with the government, and suppressed its competitors, causing three merchants to go bankrupt... Do I need this humble servant to continue reading? If this is reported to Your Majesty, do you think your palace, with no surplus food, can withstand an investigation?"
Prince Yong's face instantly turned from red to white, and then from white to blue, with cold sweat pouring down.
He looked at Wang Mengzi's big hand pressing on the hilt of the knife, as if he was about to draw the knife and chop someone at the next moment. Then he looked at Nong Zishi's iron-faced and impartial look, and his calves went weak.
"You...you..." He pointed at Nong Zishi, his lips trembling.
Nong Zishi closed the booklet and said earnestly, "Your Highness, spending money can ward off disaster. Should you keep the money and risk losing your head, or donate it to earn a reputation for loyalty and patriotism, and protect your family? You decide for yourself, His Majesty is watching."
Finally, Prince Yong slumped in his chair and waved his hands weakly at the butler: "Donate...donate! I will donate...three hundred thousand taels!"
Nong Zishi frowned, "Your Highness, the Beishuo cavalry are countless. Three hundred thousand taels is probably a drop in the bucket. In my opinion, Your Highness is wealthy. At least five hundred thousand taels is needed to show your loyalty."
Prince Yong almost lost his breath. Finally, under the pressure of Wang Mengzi who took a step forward, he said with a sad face: "Five... five hundred thousand is five hundred thousand!"
*
The second family, Nong Zishi went to Prince An’s Mansion.
Prince An Ning Jun was a smiling tiger who was used to flattering everyone. His family ran a money shop, where he lent money at high interest rates, forcing many families to be ruined.
When he saw Nong Zishi, he was much more enthusiastic than Prince Yong. He personally went out to greet him and kept saying, "Thank you for your hard work, Minister Nong."
After hearing the purpose of the visit, he kept smiling but started to cry poor: "Minister of Agriculture, you don't know. Although I bear the title of a county prince, I am actually weak inside. There are hundreds of people in this mansion waiting to be fed, and the harvest on the farm is not good. I really have the will but not the ability."
Nong Zishi didn't waste any time talking to him and said directly to Wang Mengzi, "General Wang, on my way here, I heard that there seemed to be several murders at the Tonghui Money House under the name of Prince An a few days ago, and the victims seemed to be about to stop the emperor and file a complaint? What do you think is..."
Wang Mengzi understood and said in a booming voice, "Don't worry, Minister Nong! I'll send someone to investigate right away! We'll get to the bottom of this and won't let a single bad guy go!"
The smile on Prince An's face froze instantly, and he broke out in a cold sweat.
His bank has a very shady background. If they really investigate, he'll be in big trouble.
Nong Zishi then turned to Prince An and spoke earnestly, "Your Majesty, you are a wise man. Money is something you can't bring with you when you're born, and you can't take with you when you die. Now that our country is in crisis, giving some away can buy peace and tranquility, and even earn you a good reputation. Isn't that better than losing everything in the end?"
Prince An's expression shifted from one face to another. Finally, he sighed deeply and forced a smile uglier than crying. "Minister Nong is absolutely right! I was confused. I will... donate two hundred thousand taels! No, three hundred thousand taels! To show my loyalty!"
*
Nong Zishi held the imperial edict and brought Wang Mengzi, the door god, to visit each house.
He used a variety of methods, including direct threats, indirect attacks, evidence presentation, and kind advice, and he specifically targeted those members of the royal family who had dirty tricks and rich families.
Nong Zishi did not spare not only the royal family in the capital, but also the princes in their fiefdoms. Letters with earnest words were sent to various places by express horses.
The letter first praised His Majesty's benevolence and the country's difficulties, then hinted at how the princes in the capital had "understood the great cause" and "made generous contributions." Finally, he mentioned that General Wang Mengzi might visit various places to express his condolences in the near future...
Which of those princes in the fiefdoms is not a shrewd person? After seeing this letter and inquiring about the rumors in the capital, how could they not understand the seriousness of this matter?
In just two or three months, Nong Zishi's mission of "extorting money from the emperor" was actually accomplished by him!
When he presented a summarized list to Ning Lingyi, even Ning Lingyi was a little surprised.
The list contained a huge amount of items, totaling three million taels of silver!
"Your Majesty, I have fulfilled your mission!" Nong Zishi bowed and said, his face showing fatigue after the wind and frost, but his eyes were surprisingly bright.
Ning Lingyi looked at the list, then looked at the thin but straight-backed old minister in front of her, and felt mixed emotions.
These three million taels are life-saving money, and are also what Nong Zishi exchanged for his own reputation and safety.
"Thank you for your hard work, Zishi." she said softly.
Nong Zishi waved his hand nonchalantly, "It is the duty of an old minister to share your majesty's worries."
Just as Ning Lingyi expected, Nong Zishi's action completely offended the royal family.
Impeachment memorials flew into the Minyou Hall like snowflakes, calling him a "cruel official", a "traitor to the country", and a "villain who alienated the royal family". The words were so harsh that they seemed to wish they could eat his flesh and sleep on his skin.
Some members of the royal family even jointly wrote a letter threatening to resign their titles and report to the Taimiao.
But what about Nongzi Stone?
He still attended court on time every day, never gave in on his political views and argued for everything. After leaving court, he immersed himself in his "Daily Lessons for Farmers" and educational affairs in various places, turning a deaf ear to the insults and treating them as passing wind.
Someone blocked his way and cursed him on his way home from court, but he walked straight past without even raising his eyelids.
Someone threw feces in front of his house, but he asked his servants to wash it away the next day as if nothing had happened.
During a grand court meeting, a prince from the royal family could not help but pointed at his nose and cursed him in person, "You shall not die a good death."
Nong Zishi then slowly raised his head, glanced at the man, and said, "I have no children, no ties, and no worries. I'm dead, so why should I fear death? But you, who normally eat the people's food and donate nothing when helping them in need, have the nerve to bark at me now? I only want to have a clear conscience, to be worthy of His Majesty, and to be worthy of the people of the world. As for my reputation after death, you can bark at me as much as you want!"
These words made the prince blush and speechless for a long time.
Ning Lingyi sat high on the throne, looking at the lonely and arrogant figure of Nong Zishi below, feeling indescribable emotions in her heart.
She glanced at the noisy royal family and said nothing.
Just wait for her.
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