Inside the restaurant.
Qian Qianyi was bragging about his business with Ruan Dacheng.
"I have read Brother Ruan's poems, which are truly brilliant! I have also listened to his operas several times, and they are truly top-notch works!" Qian Qianyi clasped his hands together, his face full of flattery.
"Brother Qian, you are too kind! They are all clichés that are not worthy of being mentioned!" Ruan Dacheng blushed and began to compliment the other party after accepting the compliment. "I have also read Brother Qian's book several times and I just can't put it down!"
"Haha, Brother Ruan, you're too kind! I'll use tea instead of wine to toast you, Brother Ruan!"
"cheers!"
The two of them raised their teacups and drank the tea in them as if they were drinking wine.
Just as I put down the teacup, someone knocked on the door from outside.
"Come in!" Qian Qianyi ordered.
The door opened, and the messenger walked into the room and introduced himself: "Greetings, my Excellencies. I am a messenger sent by the Governor-General of Southern Zhili, Ma Shiying."
Ruan Dacheng nodded slightly in response.
Qian Qianyi nodded first, then sighed: "Alas, Yaocao (Ma Shiying's pen name Yaocao) lost many troops in the Battle of Fengyang. I thought he had no hope of promotion. I didn't expect that in just a few years, he was not demoted, but promoted to the governor of Southern Zhili."
“It’s really unexpected!”
Ruan Dacheng explained: "Brother Qian, Brother Yaocao may not be good at leading troops in battle, but he is very good at being an official!"
"Every year when the summer and autumn grains are collected, his office always collects the taxes and hands them over to the court in the first place! It's hard not to get promoted..."
"That's right!" Qian Qianyi nodded in approval.
The most important indicator for evaluating local officials is tax collection, followed by public security and imperial examinations.
"Let's do it!" Qian Qianyi pointed to the chairs next to the table and motioned for them to sit down.
The door closed and there were only three of them left in the room.
Ruan Dacheng was the first to say, "Congratulations, Brother Qian! Congratulations, Brother Qian!"
"Where does the joy come from?" Qian Qianyi asked knowingly.
Ruan Dacheng's face was full of smiles: "I heard that Brother Qian's favorite student Xie Sanbin became the Minister of Revenue. Isn't this a happy event?"
"The court has six ministries and nine ministers, and a mere Minister of Revenue is not worth mentioning!" Although Qian Qianyi said nonchalantly, there was a proud look on his face.
No wonder he is arrogant.
You know, the last time the Donglin Party served as the ministers of six ministries was nearly ten years ago!
This time, he not only served as the Shangshu, but also served as the Shangshu of the Ministry of Revenue, the most important of the six ministries.
Ruan Dacheng continued to flatter him: "Brother Qian is so annoying! The Ministry of Revenue is in charge of the country's money and grain. As the Minister of Revenue, Xie Sanbin will soon be appointed as a prime minister!"
The messenger followed Ruan Dacheng's example and bowed to Qian Qianyi to congratulate him: "Congratulations, Mr. Qian!"
Qian Qianyi laughed: "We are all family, so don't talk about your differences! Xie Sanbin's becoming the Minister of Revenue was a risk-taking move, but it was also your contribution."
"Our...contribution?" Ruan Dacheng was a little confused. He touched the back of his head and asked, "Brother Qian, what do you mean by that?"
"If you hadn't united to resist the currency reform, the former Minister of Revenue Fang Yuegong would not have been dismissed. If he hadn't been dismissed, Xie Sanbin would not have had the opportunity to take the position! So...it's your contribution that Xie Sanbin became the Minister of Revenue!" Qian Qianyi's smile became even wider.
"In that case, Brother Qian, don't forget us!" Ruan Dacheng said with a wry smile.
"Of course, have tea!" Qian Qianyi put away the smile on his face and invited the two to have tea.
After a cup of warm tea, the atmosphere in the room became more harmonious.
"Tell me, what do you want me to do?" Qian Qianyi put down the teacup in his hand and looked at Ruan Dacheng and the messenger.
Ruan Dacheng put down his teacup, put away the remaining smile on his face, and said seriously: "We came to Brother Qian this time to ask him something."
"What's up?"
"We want to know how Xie Sanbin implemented the currency reform!" Ruan Dacheng said seriously, "The most important task of the Ministry of Revenue is to promote currency reform in Jiangnan. Xie Sanbin must have a corresponding countermeasure, otherwise he would not dare to take over as the Minister of Revenue."
"Mr. Qian is Xie Sanbin's teacher, so he should know some information. I hope Mr. Qian can reveal something!"
Qian Qianyi looked puzzled: "I do know some information, but... why are you asking these questions?"
"We have no intention of confronting Donglin. This move is just to plan as early as possible and reduce losses!" Ruan Dacheng explained.
"Hmm..." Qian Qianyi pondered for a moment, "It's a coincidence that even if you didn't come to me, I would still come to you."
"Oh?" Ruan Dacheng's tense nerves finally began to relax. He personally stepped forward and poured Qian Qianyi a cup of hot tea. "What does Mr. Qian want to talk to us about?"
"It's about currency reform!" Qian Qianyi took a sip of tea and pushed the teacup forward.
"Mr. Qian wants us to cooperate with Xie Sanbin to promote currency reform?" asked Ruan Dacheng.
"Yes," Qian Qianyi nodded, "currency reform is a national policy, and it cannot be stopped by human power! It is better to go with the flow than to try to stop a chariot with one's arms."
Ruan Dacheng forced a smile and said, "Mr. Qian, we all understand the truth and are willing to cooperate with the Ministry of Revenue to implement national policies, but the premise is that there will be no loss of interests or only a small loss of interests!"
He was afraid that Qian Qianyi might misunderstand him, so he quickly explained: "It's not just us who think so, all the gentry in Jiangnan have the same idea!"
"I know!" Qian Qianyi nodded seriously, "So I have something important to discuss with you."
"Please speak, Mr. Qian!" The messengers sent by Ruan Dacheng and Ma Shiying quickly sat up straight and listened attentively.
Qian Qianyi reached out and picked up the teacup on the table. After drinking the tea, he said leisurely: "If we regard currency reform as a task, the difficulty and resistance in implementation will definitely be great."
"But..." Qian Qianyi changed the subject, "If we treat currency reform as a business, not only will it not be difficult, but it will also bring us considerable profits!"
"Business?" Ruan Dacheng was a little confused. "What business? How do you do this business?"
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