Chapter 506 Those who eat meat are despicable, those who eat grains are foolish.
"Who said I would be happy to see this happen?"
In the council chamber, Lin Cheng, with an earnest expression, awaited Ouyang Rong's calm reply.
A cold, clear female voice, as cold as a thousand years of frost and snow, came from the doorway.
Rong Zhen, dressed in a plain white white dress, walked into the council hall, stood in front of Lin Cheng, and looked down at him.
Lin Cheng shrugged helplessly:
"Why is Lady Rongzhen here? Isn't she investigating a case?"
"If I hadn't come, you would have uttered all sorts of nonsense under my name."
Lin Cheng shook his head: "What are you saying?"
As he spoke in a loud voice, he glanced sideways at Ouyang Lianghan's increasingly calm expression.
"I was merely considering things from Lady Rongzhen's perspective; there was no overstepping my bounds. I was simply stating the facts. Does Lady Rongzhen not wish for the Donglin Buddha to be completed soon? Does she not wish His Majesty to be pleased?"
Rong Zhen said coldly;
"Of course I hope Your Majesty will be pleased, but the price for the early completion of the Donglin Buddha should not be a waste of life and money, nor should it affect the livelihood of the people of Xunyang."
"There's no question of influence. It's simply a matter of one party being willing to give and the other being willing to receive."
Lin Cheng said calmly:
"Jiangzhou Hall will pay the laborers, and the laborers will do the work. We will follow Chief Secretary Ouyang's method and not force them. Hmm, there are so many laborers at Xunyang Ferry. They are idle in winter. Rather than letting them be idle and not earn money, it is better to let them make statues. It is better to make Buddha statues in Xingzifang in winter than to go to the remote wilderness and the snowy Shuangfengjian to make statues. Isn't this also the drawback of Chief Secretary Ouyang's current construction of Xunyang Grottoes?"
"See, that solves the problem, doesn't it?"
Rong Zhen frowned and said:
“Xingzifang is an old town area, full of old and crowded buildings. Where would you build a statue? Where would you place the Donglin Buddha without affecting the people of Xingzifang?”
Lin Cheng smiled and said, "I have found a good place, right in the center of Xingzifang, at the location of Chengtian Temple, adjacent to Xingzi Lake. The feng shui here is excellent, in line with the metal element of my Great Zhou. It is a perfect place where metal generates water, no worse than Shuangfengjian, and even better."
Rong Zhen first turned her head and glanced at Ouyang Rong, who was strangely silent today.
He then turned around, squinting slightly, and said:
"Near Chengtian Temple? Isn't that the area around Huang Xuan's old house? Lin Cheng, it seems you weren't fully focused on the case when you were investigating it before..."
Lin Cheng clasped his hands in a fist salute to the north: "I am but a humble man who dares not forget the worries of the nation; I am merely sharing His Majesty's burdens."
Rong Zhen wasn't buying it and pressed him seriously:
“But that area is one of the most densely populated areas of Xingzifang, a gathering place for poor people struggling to make a living. If you build a statue there, the Chengtian Temple alone probably wouldn’t be enough to demolish, would it?”
Lin Cheng's expression remained unchanged as he slowly said:
"Well, it might take up a little more space, but that's alright, it's all within the budget. Anyway, those are all old houses, and the property prices are low now. We'll give all the compensation. After all, we can't let His Majesty's reputation be tarnished, can we? Eunuch Hu, Lady Rongzhen, His Majesty's reputation is something we servants always need to pay attention to, and I won't forget that either."
Rongzhen felt that something was wrong, and that things were not as simple and easy as this boy made them out to be. However, she was not good at this kind of thing, so she couldn't grasp certain key points that were not worth scrutinizing.
Her clear, cold voice:
"Lin Cheng, stop talking nonsense. Since ancient times, demolishing people's houses to build temples and statues has always been the act of tyrants. I have never seen it without causing public resentment. History records a lot of criticisms of it. You are just making His Majesty look bad! If His Majesty doesn't bear the infamy, then who will?"
“Ms. Rongzhen, this time is different. We can try a different approach to take care of them gently.”
"What's the difference? How is your behavior any different from that of the Yangzhou merchants before? They were merchants, pursuing profit, while you are an official, pursuing imperial favor... Stop beating around the bush and just tell me directly, if you demolish the houses of those poor people, where will they live? Even in the slums, there are cheaper rental houses in Xunyang City."
"Hey, these are all minor issues. We can always find a solution by discussing them."
Lin Cheng sighed, seemingly helpless against the unreasonable, cold, palace-dressed girl.
However, his attitude remained very sincere, and he said earnestly:
"Therefore, I have come here today to propose this plan in order to discuss it with Chief Secretary Ouyang. If Chief Secretary Ouyang were to join us, he would understand the people best and step in to help, which would surely prevent these things from happening again. Chief Secretary Ouyang, what do you think?"
"Oh, I see. So Ouyang Lianghan will bear the blame, right?"
Rong Zhen turned her head with a stern face and looked at Ouyang Rong, who was sitting quietly with his sleeves folded.
She asked, puzzled, "..."
“Ouyang Lianghan, why aren’t you saying anything? Does that mean you’re tacitly agreeing? This relocation plan suits your tastes. Have you been convinced? What about the Xunyang Grottoes?”
Seeing Ouyang Rong lower his eyes and remain silent, Rong Zhen's pretty face showed great dissatisfaction:
"Didn't you previously painstakingly explain to me that the Xunyang Grottoes were the best solution, beneficial to the country and the people, and wouldn't affect the livelihood of Xunyang residents in the slightest? It's a win-win situation. Where has that enthusiasm gone now?"
Taking a deep breath, she calmed herself down slightly and said, word by word:
“Ouyang Lianghan, don’t forget how you swore an oath in front of the Temple of the Sage Confucius, amidst the anger of thousands of scholars, to the people of Xunyang that building a Buddha statue would not be a waste of life and money, nor would it affect the livelihood of the people of Xunyang!”
"I used to respect you as a gentleman who spoke up for the people."
Ouyang Rong seemed to snap out of his daze and glanced at her sideways.
Lin Cheng shook his head and said:
"Lady Rongzhen has truly misunderstood me, but it's alright. Chief Secretary Ouyang should understand. I have written down this Xingzifang plan in detail. You can take a look, and Lady Rongzhen should take a look as well. After reading the detailed plan, you won't ask these somewhat naive questions anymore."
Before Rongzhen and Hufu could react, Ouyang Rong suddenly reached out and took the proposal document handed to him by Lin Cheng.
He opened the folded document and began to carefully peruse it.
Seeing this, Lin Cheng smiled broadly. Dealing with smart people is so comfortable.
There was none of the undignified scene of ordinary people yelling and being tailed.
Rong Zhen immediately fell silent, then turned to Lin Cheng and said coldly:
"Lin Cheng, what exactly are you up to?"
Lin Cheng shrugged:
"I didn't sell any medicine. I just wanted to share His Majesty's burdens and offer a suggestion. It's just a suggestion. Now I'm putting it out there for everyone to brainstorm. Lady Rongzhen, there's no need to get so excited."
Rong Zhen flicked her sleeves: "Then the suggestion is invalid. I do not agree."
Lin Cheng sighed and pleaded, "Prefect Ouyang, look at Lady Ouyang, she..."
"The report is well written, but I have a small question."
Ouyang Rong suddenly closed the memorial and nodded.
"Please ask, Chief Secretary Ouyang."
Lin Cheng smiled and spread his palms out.
Ouyang Rong nodded slightly, and just as everyone was waiting for him to ask about the details of the plan in the document in his hand, he asked with a serious expression:
"Back then at Yunshui Pavilion, on the day that I, the young master, and Wei Shaoqi clashed, the person Princess Anhui was waiting for in the VIP room was actually you, Brother Lin, wasn't it?"
Lin Cheng looked puzzled:
"I didn't understand what Chief Secretary Ouyang was talking about, or what kind of person he was talking about."
Ouyang Rong sighed softly:
"The husband that the Liang Prince's Mansion chose for this Princess Anhui was actually Brother Lin. Wei Shaoqi brought his cousin to Xunyang specifically for you, didn't he? The Wei family is really willing to spend money to win over Brother Lin. No wonder Brother Lin is so helpful in Wei Shaoqi's clamor to overturn the case... So, when I met you at Yunshui Pavilion that day, you were actually there to keep your appointment. And Wei Shaoqi chose Yunshui Pavilion as the venue for their secret meeting, which was also your choice, right? Wei Shaoqi's meeting with Lady Qin at Yunshui Pavilion was only secondary."
"When we first met, I took Brother Lin to Yunshui Pavilion. Brother Lin said he liked the teahouse's ambiance and would come often. That's true, Brother Lin is indeed honest. But Brother Lin probably never expected to run into me and the Crown Prince again. So, the Crown Prince's unexpected rudeness towards the Princess later made Brother Lin hold a grudge against the Crown Prince and me?"
Lin Cheng frowned, looked around, and asked in a puzzled tone:
"What is Chief Secretary Ouyang saying? It's all nonsense. Stop talking nonsense and let's get down to business... Chief Secretary Ouyang, this relocation plan is to relieve His Majesty's burden. I have no intention of denying your and the Xunyang Prince's Mansion, nor am I helping the Wei family. I do not take sides."
Ouyang Rong shook his head calmly, interrupting:
"To share His Majesty's burdens is nothing more than climbing the ranks by any means to gain His Majesty's favor. The so-called not taking sides just means not tearing off the mask, like today."
"But when necessary, in order to achieve the goal of 'sharing His Majesty's burdens,' Brother Lin wouldn't be foolish enough not to lend a hand. Besides, the Wei family's daughter has already offered herself up. This matter can not only bring promotion and wealth, but also help the Wei family suppress the Xunyang Prince's Mansion and me. By offering betrothal gifts, we can live off the woman. What a clever plan!"
"So Brother Lin, you can deceive others, but don't deceive yourself too."
“If Chief Secretary Ouyang doesn’t agree, then so be it. Stop talking nonsense and change the subject.”
Lin Cheng immediately put away the folded document, shook his head, and prepared to leave.
But the calm words from Ouyang Rong behind him made him pause slightly:
"Brother Lin, did you submit a memorial to the court before you came here? You should have laid out all the necessary arrangements. You've kept a low profile for so long, deceiving everyone. The relocation plan is so complete, is there still any need for discussion?"
"Brother Lin, you came here today, are you thinking of trying to win me over? Well, it doesn't matter if you can't win me over, just kick me out. Whether you agree or not, it doesn't matter."
"A fine move of using courtesy before resorting to force. Brother Lin is a man of principle; he thinks highly of me."
Lin Cheng frowned, stared at Ouyang Rong's face for a while, and asked with some doubt:
"What's wrong with Prefect Ouyang today, spouting a bunch of baseless accusations? I was merely offering a suggestion. Why does Prefect Ouyang have such a vivid imagination? If you don't accept this proposal, just say so. Just pretend I said nothing. There's no need for such sarcastic remarks."
Lin Cheng, somewhat disappointed, took out a memorial from his sleeve, gestured to everyone, and sighed:
"This memorial was written with great care and was intended for His Majesty. It was full of praise for Prefect Ouyang, just like that of Envoy Hu. Prefect Ouyang, take a look if you don't believe me. But now Prefect Ouyang..." His tone was filled with disappointment.
Ouyang Rong smiled, glanced at the memorial, and nodded, saying:
"Brother Lin, you really think too highly of me. You've kept it a secret for as long as possible, as if you're afraid I'll cause trouble prematurely? Hmm, are you afraid that if it's leaked too early, you'll drive me to a dead end, or even force me to take the risk of silencing you? Are you afraid that you won't be able to leave Xunyang City? But I think Brother Lin is quite bold."
"Don't worry, Brother Lin, this game was indeed very clever. It was a brilliant feint, a clever maneuver. I only just realized what was happening, and it might already be too late. Yes, I have great faith in Brother Lin's meticulousness and caution."
Rongzhen and Hufu looked on in astonishment and turned to look at Lin Cheng with wary eyes.
Lin Cheng didn't look at them, maintaining his smile, he gazed at Ouyang Rong's handsome and calm face, and said in a rather serious tone:
"I don't understand what Chief Secretary Ouyang is talking about. Let's not change the subject. Chief Secretary Ouyang, please make your opinion on this plan. If you disagree, just pretend I didn't mention it. It was just a small suggestion, and the decision-making power has always been in Chief Secretary Ouyang's hands."
He then pointed at Khufu, his expression serious, and said:
"And regardless of whether it works or not, I intend to return to the capital soon and present this memorial. When I came here this morning, I had already made an appointment with Envoy Hu, and the boat has been booked. Today, besides offering my suggestions, I have also come to bid farewell to Chief Secretary Ouyang."
Hu Fu nodded, which was considered as his testimony on this point, but he also looked at Ouyang Rong with a hint of suspicion in his eyes, seeking advice.
Ouyang Rong didn't answer, but turned to stare at the sky outside for a while, then nodded and said:
"Lin Cheng, you always refer to yourself as 'this humble one,' and now it seems you are right. Those who eat meat are indeed contemptible."
Lin Cheng suddenly fell silent, staring intently at Ouyang Rong, his voice echoing throughout the hall: "You call me a carnivore, then what about you, Ouyang Lianghan?"
"Fool."
Rong Zhen and Hu Fu heard Ouyang Rong's immediate reply, and they saw him speak solemnly:
"Those who eat meat are base, those who eat grains are foolish. I eat grains, the grains of the common people, so what if I'm a little foolish?"
Lin Cheng pointed to his own face with his index finger, then pointed to Ouyang Rong's face:
"Very well, what a fool! I understand now. I thought that Prefect Ouyang was like me, a poor scholar who received the emperor's salary, but also a clever man."
"No, Brother Lin is too clever; I am not clever enough."
"No, no, no, we are the same kind of people, we are all poor scholars. It's just that Chief Secretary Ouyang has had too smooth a life. He has never experienced the great malice this world has towards poor scholars."
"So, Brother Lin, who has suffered malice, will you also turn around and join this evil?"
“I have never had any ill intentions towards Prefect Ouyang.”
Lin Cheng shook his head, waved the memorial full of praise for Xunyang Grottoes and Ouyang Lianghan in the air, and then casually tossed it onto the table in front of Ouyang Rong.
This Xia Guanlingtai Lang walked past Ouyang Rong, who was sitting upright with his hands behind his back, and left the Jiangzhou main hall quickly.
Hu Fu looked at Lin Cheng's back with a mixture of surprise and uncertainty in his eyes.
Rong Zhen first picked up the memorial and glanced at it twice, then frowned and looked at Ouyang Rong:
"Is this fake?"
At this moment, Yan Liulang squeezed through the door, his hand on the hilt of his sword. He gestured towards the door with his eyes towards Ouyang Rong, and asked with a serious expression:
"Mr. Ming, should we..."
Ouyang Rong shook his head and vigorously rubbed his tired face.
All they heard was him muttering to himself:
"You're still a bit too hasty. Are you that afraid of me? You've already made so many moves ahead, and you still weren't at ease, so you came to test me. Now look what's happened, the test has turned into a showdown... So I should be the one who's anxious. What are you so afraid of?"
The young clerk, seemingly in a moment of realization, nodded.
"Oh, so you know I'm incredibly foolish and would rather die than compromise... Looks like your trip to Dragon City wasn't in vain."
(End of this chapter)
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