Chapter 582 Shortcuts to Merit and Subordinates Competing for Favor (This chapter was missing and has been corrected. Please refresh the page!)
[Merit: 2708]
In a pure white and tranquil space, Ouyang Rong's gaze fell on an ordinary little wooden fish.
"Thump—"
The little wooden fish would occasionally make a sound, and each time it did, a single digit of the row of cyan-gold numbers hanging above it would jump up.
The sound of the wooden fish echoed throughout the pure white space, carrying a subtle sense of Zen.
At this moment, a slight smile appeared on Ouyang Rong's lips.
Last night, after speeding up the journey and sending my junior sister back to Jingyi Courtyard, I only had a little over 1,900 merit points.
In just one night, it increased by nearly 800.
Among these, taking the embroiderer to the lantern festival, plus the subsequent act of "passing by the bathroom door without entering" and watching over her until she fell asleep, probably earned me nearly two hundred merit points.
The remaining 600 merit points are harder to distinguish.
For example, the praise and acclaim that a single poem, "Green Jade Table - Lantern Festival," received overnight:
The group included Prince Li Xian, Princess Wei Mei, his mentor Xie Xun, Xie Xue'e, and possibly even the little princess Li Guo'er who acted alongside him at the Lantern Festival banquet.
The merit points brought by these close relatives are considerable. It seems that he may have underestimated the terrifying influence of this "Number One Lantern Festival Poem".
In addition, the series of crisp wooden fish sounds that suddenly rang in my ears just now increased my merit points by about one hundred.
Ouyang Rong pondered for a moment and couldn't help but think of the grandfather and grandson surnamed Sun who were outside the lantern riddle corridor last night.
This increase of nearly 100 merit points likely came from their side.
Of course, it could also be due to Pei Shisan Niang. After this whole affair involving the mandarin duck jade hairpin, this beautiful woman might have become even more devoted to him.
Anyway, that's pretty much it.
It is foreseeable that with the spread of this poem "Qing Yu An: Yuan Xi", it will be possible to earn some merit points in the coming days.
It can be considered a stable growth point in a short period of time, similar to the fame that came with "On Chrysanthemums" and "On Teachers" not long ago.
Although the fame of these kinds of poems is limited, the sheer volume of them is overwhelming.
There will always be people who, because of the fame of these poems, turn their attention to the people behind them and develop a fondness for them.
In particular, the name "Ouyang Lianghan" is associated with the persona of a virtuous gentleman.
Whether it was his courageous remonstrance in the past or his recent refusal to obey imperial orders, these are all glorious deeds.
People who didn't pay much attention before, after hearing about it, would all give it a thumbs up.
Those who already knew can search their memories again, relive the experience, and deepen their positive impression.
And if you have this good first impression, and then you deeply agree with his deeds of speaking up for the people, and feel grateful and respectful... then you'll accumulate merit points.
Therefore, having a good reputation is still very important.
Ouyang Rong had previously been indifferent to the reputation of being a "righteous gentleman" that had made him famous throughout the world.
It's because they know that maintaining this kind of fame and persona requires a lot of investment and also restricts their actions.
He is different from the original owner of this body after all. The things he has to do cannot be simply defined by the four words "a gentleman".
Moreover, if something goes wrong, it can easily backfire.
Throughout history, those who create gods and those who destroy them are actually the same group of people...
That's what they say, but now that they've tasted the sweetness of fame, to be honest, it really is "sweet".
Just as he was lost in thought, the little wooden fish struck about thirty more times.
[Merit: 2708]...[Merit: 2742]
Ouyang Rong shook his head, his consciousness leaving the Tower of Merit.
"It's exhilarating, and it's fine once or twice, but you can't do it every day. Ultimately, it's not as reassuring as visiting places like the Zheyi Canal or the Xunyang Grottoes..."
He lowered his eyes to adjust the crimson cuffs of his official robes.
Moreover, just now at the Censorate, Rong Zhen was once again surprised by his literary talent because of his Lantern Festival poem, but Ouyang Rong brushed it off. He asked her seriously, "What does what the Prince's son did have to do with me, Ouyang Lianghan?"
He secretly wiped away a bead of sweat, thinking that if he copied too many times, Rongzhen might ask him for his own poems again someday.
Lady Historian, you trust him as your close comrade-in-arms, but you can't keep being so disrespectful every day, can you?
Ouyang Rong closed his eyes to rest and rode in a carriage. Just as he arrived near Xingzi Lake, Yan Liulang approached him.
"Your Excellency, Wang Caozhi is looking for you."
Where are they now?
"It's right by Xingzi Lake, not far from... that courtyard. But Madam Pei stopped him for you."
"How did he find us?" Ouyang Rong asked, opening his eyes.
"It's all Yuan Changshi's fault. Wang Caozhi went to the main hall of Jiangzhou to look for you. Yuan Changshi said that you've been busy with the mess in Xingzifang these past two days, either at the Xingzi Lake construction site or at Chengtian Temple... so Wang Caozhi came over."
"I really thank him, okay."
Ouyang Rong sighed and ordered the carriage to turn in another direction.
...
Inside a luxurious carriage next to the Xingzi Lake construction site.
Pei Shisan Niang and Wang Caozhi sat facing each other in a quiet atmosphere.
Wang Caozhi would occasionally lift the carriage curtain to look at the lake outside. After waiting for a quarter of an hour, he couldn't help but ask:
"Sister Pei, what is your brother-in-law busy with?"
Pei Shisan Niang lowered her eyes, not looking at the short, smooth-talking young man:
"How could I possibly inquire about the young master's whereabouts? But without a doubt, it's official business concerning the well-being of the people. Manager Wang, just wait patiently. We servants don't seek to share the young master's burdens, but we certainly shouldn't cause him any trouble."
Upon hearing this, Wang Caozhi frowned, then nodded solemnly.
“What my dear sister says is true.”
The beautiful woman sat upright with her back straight, her plump, round lips slightly parted: "It's good that Manager Wang understands."
"Of course I understand, I understand completely, and I will continue to understand."
Wang Caozhi smiled and nodded, looking at Pei Shisan Niang in front of him, agreeing readily, but inwardly he scoffed... You've only been here a few days, and you're still calling me "Young Master" all the time, not even using my official title. What are you doing, acting all familiar with my brother-in-law in front of me?
"Oh, right."
Wang Caozhi pointed out the window and asked with concern:
"Sister Pei, I heard that Governor Wang and Lord Lin died tragically at the foot of the Buddha that day. I hope you weren't too frightened. I also heard that a vice president of your chamber of commerce died. He must have been quite close to you, Sister Pei. Ah, life is unpredictable, please accept my condolences, Sister Pei..."
Hearing Wang Caozhi's extremely sincere words of comfort, Pei Shisan Niang's lips twitched slightly, and she looked straight ahead as if she hadn't heard him.
"How can you comfort someone like that? Madam Pei, please don't mind him. Cao Zhi is just like that, he sometimes talks nonsense."
Ouyang Rong then boarded the carriage.
Wang Caozhi and Pei Shisan Niang immediately became obedient and respectful, bowing and greeting him.
"Young master."
Pei Shisan Niang covered her chest with one hand, bowed slightly, and said calmly, "Manager Wang has been waiting here for a long time. By the way, young master, are you finished with your work?"
"Hmm." Ouyang Rong sat down.
"Then I'll take my leave." Pei Shisan Niang observed the situation and withdrew voluntarily.
"good."
Watching Pei Shisan Niang get out of the carriage and walk away, Wang Caozhi immediately muttered to himself:
"Brother-in-law is really good to this businesswoman. He didn't even hold it against her for misjudging him before. Hey, brother-in-law, I've heard that mature women like this know how to please young men, especially since they're very experienced in that area. But in the end, it's all an act. No wonder a young virgin is so sincere..."
Ouyang Rong smiled:
"Don't worry, I don't share your interests."
"..."
Wang Caozhi's expression changed slightly, but he quickly composed himself, waving his hand with a hearty laugh as usual:
"Haha, brother-in-law, you're joking. By the way, since you've accepted this woman and seem to trust her, let's get her involved and let her invest in Xunyang Grottoes..."
Ouyang Rong glanced at Wang Caozhi, who was worrying about him and offering advice.
She smiled gently and nodded in agreement with him.
"Then so be it. I hadn't originally planned to do this, as it would have broken the rule of first come, first served, since I'd need the consent of you elders. But it seems you're all quite open-minded, so..."
Wang Caozhi's smile froze for a moment, then he immediately shook his hand, sighing in embarrassment:
"Haha, brother-in-law is joking. No... but of course I have no objection. It's mainly some stubborn and conservative brothers..."
"Okay, enough joking around."
Ouyang Rong interrupted, saying casually:
"From now on, Madam Pei will mainly be in charge of the renovation of the old houses in Xingzifang. She will not interfere with the Xunyang Grottoes. You will keep an eye on the statues in the Xunyang Grottoes."
"Since you're here in Xunyang City this time, don't leave. Consider it helping me out. Sometimes I might not be at the Xunyang Grottoes, so you'll be in charge of coordinating with Lady Rong and the others to advance the statue-making process..."
"Okay, okay."
Wang Caozhi immediately showed a look of joy.
The initial funding for the construction of the Xunyang Grottoes was negotiated by Ouyang Rong and about ten grain merchants from Jiangnan, including Wang Caozhi, who were considered the initial shareholders.
However, Wang Caozhi and others initially regarded the Xunyang Grottoes as a political achievement to maintain their relationship with Ouyang Rong, and as an investment in the future of this promising young official.
Who would have thought that the Donglin Buddha would become so important? Wang Caozhi had long ago prepared to put aside his business affairs and come to "assist" Ouyang Rong.
Unfortunately, Lin Cheng's intervention later led to the relocation of the site to the Buddha statue and a renewed effort to raise funds from Yangzhou merchants like Pei Shisan Niang. Wang Caozhi and the others were initially disappointed, but no one could have predicted the immediate reversal of events...
With the Xunyang Grottoes now reopening and receiving strong support from the imperial court, Wang Caozhi immediately rushed to assist his "good brother-in-law" without hesitation.
Ouyang Rong remained calm, knowing full well the source of his subordinates' hostility towards Pei Shisan Niang, this "newcomer."
After calming Wang Caozhi down, Ouyang Rong waved his hand:
"Then you can go ahead and get busy."
"No rush, no rush. Let me chat with my brother-in-law for a bit longer. It's been a long time since he had any free time."
The short young man, with a sincere expression, shamelessly asked:
"By the way, brother-in-law, I see there are so many vacant lots in Xingzifang. Are you going to hand them all over to Madam Pei? Cough cough, actually, I also have some experience in managing residential land, could I...?"
Ouyang Rong glanced sideways.
Good grief, you were just wary of Mrs. Pei taking a slice of the cake, and now you're trying to take a slice of hers, right?
Ouyang Rong listened silently for a while, then, under Wang Caozhi's expectant gaze, slowly spoke:
“That makes a lot of sense… It’s acceptable in principle.”
Wang Caozhi was initially delighted upon hearing the first sentence, but the second sentence plunged his heart into despair.
"Good brother-in-law..." he called out eagerly.
Ouyang Rong patted him on the shoulder:
"Cao Zhi should focus on the task at hand first. The Xunyang Grottoes are the top priority. We can't be distracted by other things. Why rush things at Xingzifang? It'll definitely take longer than the Donglin Buddha. We'll reconsider after the Donglin Buddha matter is settled..."
"All right."
Ouyang Rong's words were reasonable and well-founded, so Wang Caozhi could not ask for more, otherwise he would be disregarding the overall situation.
However, his face immediately brightened. At least his "good brother-in-law" had given the go-ahead. If the Donglin Buddha statue was successfully installed at the Xunyang Grottoes, and his "good brother-in-law" was so happy that he changed the "can in principle" to "cannot in principle," what if he kept his word?
There's a lot to look forward to!
Wang Caozhi was eager to get started.
"Brother-in-law, you go ahead with your work. I'll be going now. Oh, by the way."
Before getting off the bus, he turned back and muttered to himself:
"Brother-in-law, I really don't have a particular fondness for that kind of thing, please don't listen to those rumors... but if you insist on discussing it, I have a friend..."
"..."
Ouyang Rong remained silent, then waved his hand impatiently, and Wang Caozhi left with a laugh.
The car quieted down. Having mediated the conflicting interests of his subordinates and painted a rosy picture, he turned and glanced at the quiet courtyard...
(End of this chapter)
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