Chapter 828 A Dream of Youth (360)
Years ago, Yan Xi had discussed the pros and cons of the new law with Xie Ning. The Market Regulation Law would allow small merchants to become more financially secure through low-interest financing, which would naturally increase the country's tax revenue, although it would take some time to see the results.
What we see before us is simply the declining business of big merchants.
However, so much time has passed now, and the advantages and disadvantages are evident in the data from various departments.
The emerging merchants who rose to prominence due to the market exchange law broke the monopoly of large merchants. Their competitiveness was recognized by economic bureaucrats, so there was no need for them to contact the palace eunuchs.
With their source of income cut off, those palace servants naturally felt resentment.
Yan Xi believed in the Empress Dowager's virtue. Whether in the past or present, the Empress Dowager always put the overall interests of the country first and disregarded personal interests.
Now that she is in power and the Empress Dowager is acting as regent, Yan Xi hopes that the two of them will not have any grudges, especially those caused by the "messenger".
She naturally understood the meaning behind Xiao Ding's words: one was to please her and relieve her worries, and the other was to settle a personal grudge.
Even so, Yan Xi didn't care. After all, some of the eunuchs around the Empress Dowager couldn't be kept around. Going with the flow was also a way to solve her own problems.
After witnessing the man being beaten to death, Xiao Ding, the eunuch, returned to his residence and reported to Ding, the other eunuch, "Father, the last one is dead too."
And since it was a perfectly legitimate death, it can't be blamed on them.
Ding, the eunuch, leaned lazily against the couch. He had been kneeling for a long time today, and not only were his knees sore, but his back was also aching.
He sent his godson to the new emperor's side, and after Emperor Jing's funeral, he should retire. Some things also needed to be settled cleanly.
Consort Shu is now a taboo subject, and he received a considerable amount of money when she entered the palace. He knew that Consort Shu was one of Prince Zhao's people.
It was common for families to send beauties into the palace to benefit themselves, so he didn't take it seriously. Who knew this would happen?
The only connection he could have with the eunuch in the Empress Dowager's palace who was beaten to death was Consort Shu. Firstly, she entered the palace, and secondly, the emperor had sent him to investigate the Empress's fright.
Even if he just turned a blind eye, it was just a power struggle between the concubines anyway, who would have thought it would involve so many other things.
Now that Yan Xi is the new emperor, he has to behave himself and keep a low profile, otherwise he won't even know how he died.
He is cautious enough, ruthless and decisive enough, and not greedy enough, which is why he has survived to this day.
Little Eunuch Ding poured a bowl of tea and handed it to Eunuch Ding. "The house outside the palace has been prepared long ago. Once Godfather has finished his business here, he can move in directly. Then, I must go and have a drink with him."
"You little brat, you can't drink this wine."
"What's wrong?"
Ding, the eunuch, twirled the jade beaded string, his mind racing. "Sell that mansion, then have someone buy a small courtyard in the inner city, and then add some money to build a Taoist temple on the mountain."
Today he met Xie Ning and they talked about retiring from the palace. Xie Ning also asked him if he had a place to stay.
Ding, the eunuch, didn't hide it. He had served the emperor for so many years and had collected a lot of gold and silver. He could afford to buy a large house and squander it for a lifetime. Not to mention that he was now being supported by Xiao Ding, and the court officials he had befriended in the past would also occasionally give him money.
He won't lack money.
Xie Ning didn't say anything else, but only talked to him about the customs and social norms of the Great Zhou Dynasty.
In the early days of the founding of the state, the Great Zhou Dynasty advocated a frugal lifestyle. It was rare to see everyday utensils made of precious metals such as gold and silver. There were few scholars and officials who boasted and competed with each other in extravagance. The court officials also regarded frugality as a noble virtue.
That's all for now; Eunuch Ding will figure out the rest himself.
What Xie Ning wanted to say was that Yan Xi would definitely take steps to change the social atmosphere in the future. He had indeed retired, but he had also pushed his godson to the side of the monarch.
Whether it's Xiao Ding or himself, they should act in accordance with the monarch's wishes. This is the way to ensure long-term success, and perhaps other opportunities will arise.
Ding, the eunuch, has been with Emperor Jing for so long; what hasn't he seen?
Therefore, his material desires are extremely low, while some people are the opposite extreme. Because they have seen too many good things, they want to possess all the world's treasures and indulge in enjoyment.
That's not all; he also wanted the whole world to know about his extravagance.
Ding, the eunuch, was well aware of the principle that wealth should not be flaunted and nobility should not be shared alone. He could enjoy life, but he could not indulge in it, nor could he reveal it to others.
We should also do some good deeds. "If we build a bigger Taoist temple, then those eunuchs who are lonely and helpless after leaving the palace can find a place to settle down there. It can be considered that we are showing consideration for our own people."
Little Eunuch Ding's eyes lit up. "Godfather, you're still the best!"
Isn't this a way to win people's hearts? Hopefully, it'll be too effective.
"Stop talking nonsense. Doesn't His Majesty need grain? Why donate some money to him? It's your way of showing your support, and His Majesty will like you even more." With that, Eunuch Ding sighed.
"Although we are all rootless people, we are still half men. Her Majesty is a woman, so she will definitely prefer the nanny and head maid by her side, as well as the eunuchs who used to serve her... You are a newcomer, so don't be jealous. Just be honest and dutiful."
His Majesty will trust you more and more.
Once you've gained their trust, things will be stable from now on.
The eunuch Xiao Ding bowed his head and replied, sensing the new emperor's distrust of him. But it didn't matter; everything could be done slowly. After all, he wasn't like others who had grown up with Yan Xi.
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