Chapter 150 Frankness
Miao asked, "What does the Fang family mean? Are they leaving too?"
Xu Zhenying said, "They also have Fang Ruyu over there, who's a real sticking point. To avoid being hunted by Prince Ming, they'll probably just take their household registration and leave without anyone else. Once the household registration for this group of refugees is finalized, I'll open the city gates, and the Fang family will definitely be the first to leave."
The room was in a daze.
The Xu family members had complicated feelings when facing the Fang family. On the one hand, they were reluctant to leave, but on the other hand, they were afraid of being implicated.
Fourth Aunt also sighed, "We finally have a place to shelter from the wind and rain, and now we have to live a life of displacement again?"
Xu Degui was also worried. "If we leave Lan County, where can we go? It's freezing outside right now, and there are bandits everywhere. Even if we want to leave, we have to wait until the road is peaceful. Otherwise, if we set off now, won't we just be on the run?"
Xu Dechi said, "That's right. If we only rely on a few of us, wouldn't we all be dead if we run into bandits? Rather than starving outside and getting killed by bandits, it's better to hide in Lan County. Aren't there many princes rebelling outside? Maybe Jinzhou Prefecture doesn't have many soldiers and can't spare any to deal with us..."
Xu Dechi's words opened everyone's minds. Huang Cui'e also chimed in, "That's right! Aren't we arranging for the refugees to go to Ye County? The county magistrate there has been killed anyway. We are helping the court to appease the refugees and solve a major problem for the court. This can be considered a meritorious deed, right?"
Xu Zhenying had never expected that the Xu family's way of thinking would change so quickly in just a few months.
Xu Huijia also said, "Mom, you're right! Besides, our Lan County is far away from Jinzhou. As long as the people don't report us, and County Magistrate Sun is in our hands, we might be able to steal the day!"
Look, look, this strategic thinking.
It turns out that forcing everyone in the Xu family to take cultural classes makes sense. Even if Xu Zhenying didn't say it, everyone in the Xu family had already rushed towards rebellion.
Huang also said, "Yes, yes, even if we want to leave, we should at least wait until all the bandits on the road are dealt with. I think we can send some trustworthy people to guard Jinzhou. If any imperial officials or soldiers come our way, they can tip us off. Then it won't be too late for us to escape!"
Everyone in the Xu family nodded frequently in agreement.
Everyone had finally found a place to shelter, and no one wanted to live the life of fleeing again.
Xu Zhenying suppressed the smile on his lips and said solemnly, "In that case, let's do as Grandmother wishes. We'll die if we leave, and we'll die if we stay in the city, so we might as well stay inside. I'll send some people to guard the Jinzhou official road. As soon as we get any news, I'll notify you immediately, and then we'll leave!"
Everyone was afraid that Xu Zhenying would insist on leaving, but now after hearing her final statement, they all smiled happily.
Only Xu Huiming and Xu Yinxi frowned slightly.
The family meeting ended like this, and Xu Zhenying called Jiang Yongkang in again.
Everyone in the Xu family left one after another. Only Miao looked at the lights in the house, shook her head and sighed, "Ying'er is too tired. She still has to deal with official business so late at night."
Lian also said: "That's right. Let's make her a bowl of chicken soup later. She is in the growth period and can't be tired or hungry-"
Strangely enough, in the past, when Xu Zhenying summoned Jiang Yongkang, Dazhuang, Ming Xiaoshuang and others alone, although the Xu family members did not say it, they felt in their hearts that it was inappropriate for a single man and a single woman to be in the same room. But now, for some reason, no one dared to have such an idea anymore.
This man and woman are alone in a room. Besides doing some dirty things, can't they talk about business?
This kind of thinking is quietly changing everyone in the Xu family.
The Xu family seemed to have less restrictions when it came to treating the women in their family.
Nonsense, if there were restrictions, how could Xu Zhenying dare to let them go out to work?
As long as you go out to do something, you will inevitably interact with the opposite sex. If you are scolded for saying a few words to other men, then I'm sorry, Xu Zhenying will immediately kick you out of the core circle of the Xu family.
Xu Zhenying now has many capable people under his command. In addition, once basic education becomes popular after the spring, a large number of talents will inevitably emerge in Lan County soon.
By then, will there still be a place for them?
Once this person gets a taste of power, he will unknowingly become addicted. If he wants to leave, it will be a hundred times more difficult than quitting drugs.
While everyone was gone, Xu Huiming called out to Xu Yinxi. The two of them walked to the shadows of the corridor. Seeing that no one was around, Xu Huiming boldly asked, "Fourth sister, what's going on today... do you understand?"
Xu Yinxi told the truth: "To be honest, brother, I think what the city lord said is very strange, but if you ask me why it is strange, I can't tell you."
"I'll tell you what's strange about it. My sister isn't the type to sit back and wait. Since she's in danger of being labeled a traitor by the imperial court, how could she remain indifferent? Just now at the meeting, even though she kept urging everyone to leave Lan County as soon as possible, I have a feeling that she doesn't really want to leave."
Xu Yinxi smiled and said, "Brother, you are too suspicious. This Lan County is our base. The city lord has put so much effort into making it prosperous. Not to mention the city lord, even I can't bear to leave it."
Xu Huiming shook her head. "You don't understand... I'm in so much trouble... I don't know what she's going to do. I'm finding it increasingly difficult to understand her. Tell me, if she doesn't want to leave Lan County, why is she pretending to persuade us to leave?"
"Perhaps she's trying to retreat in order to advance? Is the City Lord trying to gauge everyone's sentiments?" Xu Yinxi wasn't as concerned as Xu Huiming. "Besides, the City Lord's thoughts are deep and difficult to guess. She must have a deeper meaning behind this."
Xu Huiming sighed, suppressing his uneasiness and reluctantly accepting Xu Yinxi's reasoning. "You're right. Perhaps I'm too paranoid... We're living this life of traitors. I'm really afraid that one day we'll be suddenly liquidated by the imperial court."
Xu Yinxi smiled, "Brother, what are you afraid of? Even if the sky falls, there is still Sixth Sister to hold it up. We have to trust her!"
Xu Huiming forced a smile, but in his heart he was thinking that he shouldn't tell Xu Yinxi the truth. After the incident with Huang Yazi, Second Aunt and Xu Yinxi were almost completely devoted to Xu Zhenying. They were afraid that if Xu Zhenying asked them to die, they would willingly hang themselves.
In Xu Zhenying's study, Jiang Yongkang came in as ordered.
Xu Zhenying said to Qian Zhenniang outside the door, "Zhenniang, go outside and guard. Don't let anyone get close."
Zhenniang took the order and walked to the main gate, guarding the gate strictly and not allowing anyone to approach.
After Jiang Yongkang entered the house, he also bolted the door.
There was no formality between the two of them, so Jiang Yongkang just sat in the lower seat.
Xu Zhenying was even more direct when facing Jiang Yongkang. "After the New Year, you should go along the several counties of Jinzhou Prefecture and take a look at the conditions in each county, as well as the situation in Jinzhou Prefecture. Make a rough estimate of the damage in Jinzhou Prefecture."
Jiang Yongkang nodded.
"Also, see how many refugees there are nearby. Change your identity and lure all the refugees from Jinzhou Prefecture here."
Jiang Yongkang's breath subsided, his brows furrowed slightly. "Does Lan County have so much land and food? From what I know, there are quite a few refugees nearby. If you count those who fled from Qianzhou, there must be at least 100,000 of them."
Xu Zhenying smiled, but with a calm arrogance, "I need people, I need cities, I need land, and I need to expand outward at an extremely fast speed."
This one sentence made Jiang Yongkang's heart beat wildly.
If it was just speculation or overt or covert testing before, then Xu Zhenying's truthful confession now undoubtedly made Jiang Yongkang's face show ecstasy!
This not only means that Xu Zhenying really has the ambition to compete for the world, but also means that he has become Xu Zhenying's absolute confidant!
At this moment, Jiang Yongkang found it difficult to express his feelings. He felt that Xu Zhenying's words made his scalp numb!
"Right now, I want to expand the city and increase the population without attracting attention. The only way is to attract refugees. You should know that apart from you, no one will support what I am going to do. If anyone sees that I want to change the world, then everyone will turn their backs on me, including my parents."
This was the first time Xu Zhenying expressed his ambitions publicly!
She said it so calmly, as if she was explaining what vegetables to buy and what to eat tomorrow.
Jiang Yongkang's heart was pounding, and he almost blurted out, "Unless you achieve something first, such as taking in these hundreds of thousands of refugees?"
Xu Zhenying smiled and nodded, "That's right. Rebellion is like investing. I'm a dead stock right now, and no one will invest in me. But once I start to rise, everyone will see my value, and then they will change their minds, and even be willing to risk their lives to follow me and give it a try. The four words 'follow the dragon's merit' are enough to make them give up everything and take a gamble. Once I take in all the refugees in Jinzhou Prefecture, build the city, divide the land, educate the people, and train the army, people will naturally persuade and beg me to rebel."
Xu Zhenying smiled and spoke word by word. She analyzed human nature so calmly that it made Jiang Yongkang's back numb.
This thirteen-year-old girl understands human nature, uses human nature, and plays with human nature. She is like an outsider, watching the direction of this world calmly and rationally without any emotion.
No wonder he felt that she was extraordinary the first time he saw her!
This time, Jiang Yongkang won the bet!
With a thud, Jiang Yongkang knelt on the ground. His eyes were slightly red and his voice was hoarse: "City Lord, even if everyone in the world abandons you, I will not. I will always follow you, sacrificing my life and blood, until the Great Zhou Dynasty is destroyed!"
Xu Zhenying sighed.
She had already noticed Jiang Yongkang's deep hatred for the Great Zhou Dynasty.
What kind of hatred would make Jiang Yongkang obsessed with rebellion?
"You stand up first. I've already told you I don't like people kneeling, and I'm not being hypocritically polite."
Jiang Yongkang was puzzled. He always thought that these words were deliberately said by Xu Zhenying in order to portray an approachable ruler. But looking at Xu Zhenying's serious expression at this moment, Jiang Yongkang seemed to understand something.
"You don't believe it because you don't know what kind of world I want to create." When Xu Zhenying said this, his expression was calm, but there was a smile in his eyes, as if he was yearning, as if he was reminiscing.
"I want to create a world where everyone is equal. I want to create a fair world. In my world, there will be no unrest or poverty, no social classes, no lowly servants, and no distinctions between scholars, farmers, merchants, and artisans. Everyone will be rewarded for their efforts. If you love to study, then study; if you love to be a soldier, then join the army; if you love to cook, then become a chef; if you love needlework, then sew. Every profession is respected and can support itself, and everyone can find a career they love. In my world, there will be no unrest, and girls will dare to go out at night without fear of being abducted or their innocence jeopardized. Everyone will dare to do what they want without worrying that their achievements will be taken away by the court, their family, or their fellow tribesmen. Everyone can find their own value. Everyone can live a happy and joyful life."
Jiang Yongkang listened blankly, feeling goosebumps all over his body.
Aren't all the things Xu Zhenying said exactly "When great virtue is practiced, the world is shared by all. The virtuous and capable are selected, trust is emphasized, and harmony is cultivated. Therefore, people are not only kind to their own relatives and their own children, but also ensure that the elderly have a place to live, the strong have a place to work, the young have a place to grow, the poor, the widows, the orphans, the lonely, and the disabled are all provided for, and men have their share and women have their home. Goods do not need to be hidden if they are thrown away; and strength does not need to be used for personal gain. Therefore, conspiracies are not aroused, thefts and robberies are not committed, and the doors are not closed. Is this what is called great harmony?"
No, the world she described was more dreamy, so dreamy that it seemed to exist only in dreams.
How lucky would a person be if he could live such a simple and happy life?
If such a society could really be realized, then it would not be a pity to let him go to hell forever!
Jiang Yongkang wanted to mock Xu Zhenying for being a dreamer, but who was Xu Zhenying? She was an absolute pragmatist, never a daydreamer. The fact that she had said this meant she had already given deeper thought to how to create this world, and what kind of world to create.
Jiang Yongkang's mind went blank. Cold sweat streamed down his forehead. His heart was beating rapidly. He was too excited to think. He could only mutter, "Such a world...such a world...is it really possible?"
"We have to take it one step at a time. Fortunately, I still have plenty of time. We'll start from Lan County, first occupy Jinzhou, then cooperate with the chieftain of Qianzhou and develop vertically. While we're developing ourselves, we'll disrupt the enemy and buy time. We'll strive to achieve a decisive victory within ten years and change the world with minimal cost!"
Xu Zhenying has even considered things for the next ten years. This shows that she is not joking.
Jiang Yongkang's eyes turned red with excitement. Although they had only occupied the small Lan County at present, he seemed to have seen a wider landscape.
Starting from here, they will gradually erode the world of the Great Zhou!
"City Lord, since you have no reservations about me, then I will also be absolutely loyal to you. I have two things to confess to you!" Jiang Yongkang stood up, a dark light surging in his eyes.
He stared at Xu Zhenying but remained silent for a long time, as if he was considering something.
Xu Zhenying guessed that Jiang Yongkang was going to confess his identity. He thought that this heart-to-heart talk was not in vain, as Jiang Yongkang was finally willing to tell him the truth.
Jiang Yongkang kept saying he was a servant of the Jiang family, but which servant could speak eloquently? Which servant dared to incite her to rebellion?
If Xu Zhenying was born to be rebellious, then Jiang Yongkang definitely had a blood feud with the Zhou Dynasty.
Not to mention this person, it is very likely that even the name Jiang Yongkang is fake!
Xu Zhenying pretended to listen attentively and waited for Jiang Yongkang to organize his words.
"Actually, I'm not a servant of the Jiang family. My name is Jiang Yunkang, and I'm the only son of Jiang Zhao, the Emperor of the Great Zhou Dynasty."
The first piece of information made Xu Zhenying explode.
Xu Deyuan was implicated in the timber case in the beginning, and now the real culprit has been by her side all the time?
"The previous emperor, a devoted Taoist, built numerous Taoist temples throughout the Great Zhou. The Grand Supervisor conned my father out of a huge sum of one million taels. After the emperor's death, Uncle Zhu denied the debt, and the Grand Supervisor also refused to acknowledge it. So they sent people disguised as bandits to kill my entire family. That night, my mother and I had a brief argument about marriage, and I rode alone to a farm in the countryside to relax. When I returned late at night, I saw my entire family slaughtered, and I was lucky enough to escape death."
"Afterwards, I fled everywhere, but the Grand Supervisor repeatedly sent people to hunt me down. I had no other choice but to take a different approach. It just so happened that one of my loyal servants, my son, got into trouble, so I took the blame and was thrown into prison, eventually being exiled all the way here."
Xu Zhenying pondered for a moment, "No wonder you are both civil and military, you certainly don't look like you were born into slavery. No wonder you harbor such strong hatred for the Great Zhou court."
"The City Lord is wise. The Zhou family father and son seized my property and murdered my family. They hold a deep blood feud with me. Furthermore, they are obsessed with pleasure and allow their subordinates to bring disaster to the people. They are truly unfit to be emperor. People say that if the emperor wants his subjects to die, the subjects must die. But as the City Lord said, why? The Zhou family bullied, humiliated, and killed me, and they expect me to swallow my anger and allow them to do so. There is no such thing as a reversal of right and wrong in this world! As long as I am still alive, I will use my life's efforts to bring the Zhou family down from the throne!"
Jiang Yongkang's voice was resounding, and every word he said was heartbreaking, echoing in the house.
At this point, Xu Zhenying also understood where the hostility in Jiang Yongkang's eyes came from.
She and Jiang Yongkang hit it off perfectly, one wanting to avenge her family, the other wanting to protect herself in troubled times.
Xu Zhenying listened quietly without interrupting.
Because Jiang Yongkang said that he had two things to confess.
The first one was such a hit, I hope the second one will live up to her expectations.
As expected, Jiang Yongkang calmed down. He took a deep breath, stared straight at Xu Zhenying, and said slowly, "City Lord, the second thing is that I have 560,000 taels of silver on hand!"
Xu Zhenying was stunned.
"My father saw the court's reluctance to honor the debts, and he had a vague suspicion. He'd been in the business world for so many years, so surely he didn't know the principle of a cunning rabbit having three burrows? So, within a year before the timber case, he began transferring large amounts of money from our family."
Xu Zhenying's eyelids twitched and he looked at Jiang Yongkang in surprise.
Jiang Yongkang laughed heartily, his eyes flashing with coldness. "I offer 560,000 taels of silver to ask the City Lord to help me avenge my death. What do you think, City Lord?!"
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