Chapter 181 181 Three-in-one Proposal (Two-in-one 4000 words)
While Su Sanlang and Su Silang were making a lot of noise, someone politely asked at the door, "Young Prince, can my son come over for a meal?"
Su Ruojin turned her head and looked over. This time she recognized him. This was the Fourth Prince's man.
She turned around and whispered, "Could it be that the bakery opposite belongs to the Fourth Prince, so when he saw you, he came over to have a meal?"
That's not the opposite side. Anyway, the fifth floor of Fengle Building is not accessible to ordinary nobles.
He lowered his head and smiled, "I'll go and greet Fourth Brother. Don't be nervous, just treat him like usual." After saying that, he stood up to greet him.
Su Ruojin quickly slid off the stool, signaled to her parents, and followed the young prince to greet the guests. She trotted over and quickly pulled in her older and younger brothers.
Su Yanli gave Su Xiaomei to Mao Ya and took his wife to follow.
Turning around, the whole family followed Zhao Lan and stood at the door to welcome the guests.
Zhao Jing smiled and appeared in everyone's sight, "Zi Jin, I'm here to bother you again."
"You're welcome, fourth brother." Zhao Lan introduced to Zhao Jing, "My teacher—Dr. Su from the Imperial Academy."
"I didn't expect Zijin's teacher to be so young and handsome."
Su Yanli bowed his head and saluted.
"Teacher, this is His Royal Highness Prince Yan."
"Your humble servant Su Yanli greets His Royal Highness Prince Yan." He was about to kneel down and perform a solemn ceremony, but was stopped by Zhao Jing. "This is not a formal occasion, Dr. Su, you don't have to perform a solemn ceremony."
"Thank you, Your Highness."
Zhao Jing was led to the main seat by Zhao Lan. Only after he sat down did the Su family members dare to finish their formalities. The Su family members, who were already a little restrained, became even more restrained now.
Zhao Lan had to entertain Prince Yan and was unable to take care of the Su family. Although His Royal Highness Prince Yan had always been amiable and friendly to the people, he was the emperor's son and was very different from the Su family. No matter how approachable he was, the Su family still remained cautious and dared not say much in front of the prince who had the power of life and death.
Most of the dishes were served almost as they were served. After the long and rich meal was finally finished, Zhao Lan and the Fourth Prince sat at the small table by the window to drink tea to digest the food.
The silent private room finally became popular.
Prince Zhao Jing of Yan asked Su Yanli to sit down with a smile, and asked in a gentle and homely tone, "How many children does Dr. Su have?" When asking this, he glanced at the four children in a row, even bringing out the one he was holding in his arms.
Zi Jin must like Dr. Su very much, otherwise he would not have invited the whole family to Fengle Building for dinner.
Su Yanli bowed and stood up to reply, "Your Highness, except for my eldest son who is studying at Dongshan Academy, all my children are here."
"Dr. Su is so blessed to have so many children."
"Thank you, Your Highness."
"I heard that Dr. Su is still renting a house?"
No one expected that His Royal Highness the Prince of Yan would ask this question, but it seemed that this was all they talked about, so there was nothing wrong with asking it.
Of course, the Su family still rents a house.
"Yes, your highness."
Zhao Lan always thought that the teacher bought the house himself. He looked at Su Ruojin in surprise. As far as he knew, the money earned from the Su family's business was enough to buy a decent large house with two entrances and two exits.
Why didn't they buy it? Did the Su family have other uses for the money they earned? Or was there someone secretly collecting money from the Su family?
Su Ruojin felt guilty when Zhao Lan looked at her, but then she changed her mind and realized that the house she lived in didn't belong to the building shop, and it wasn't a case of rich households encroaching on the resources of the poor. So why should she feel guilty? She smiled instantly and thought, she lived well there, and she would think about buying a house when she wanted to.
Seeing that the young lady didn't care at all, Zhao Lan suppressed his doubts for the time being, turned his head slightly, and glanced at Yan Wang Zhao Si. He felt that he seemed to be anxious about the affairs of the building store.
Yes, it’s already October and the public housing has not yet started to be renovated. The first heavy snow of winter might come at any time.
He lowered his eyes and thought to himself, the teacher is just a doctor from the Imperial Academy, what can he do to help him solve his problems?
Zhao Si always had a smile on his face.
Su Yanli was puzzled to see that he was still waiting for his reply. He had already replied, so why was he still waiting? Could it be...
He immediately added, "The courtyard I rented is not a public housing unit of Loudianwu, but a private courtyard house."
“Have you rented it before?”
"Your Highness, we moved out of the public housing three years ago."
“Why did you move out?”
Su Yanli certainly couldn't say that he had finally jumped out of the pit because the evil servants of Prince Jin's Mansion had encroached on public resources. Instead, he said embarrassedly, "I have too many children, and the public housing is too small, so I had to move out."
"Oh, I see."
Why did the Prince of Yan keep asking about public housing? Could it be that the job he was doing was related to public housing? And Su Ruojin immediately thought of why a prince in charge of the Ministry of Works was related to public housing.
As expected, the next sentence, King Yan asked, "What if you used to rent a public housing and the house leaked or the wall was leaking?"
"Of course, since..."
Su Ruojin coughed quickly.
Su Yanli subconsciously glanced at his daughter.
"Dad, I wasn't blown by the wind or caught a cold. I'll come out and play again next time."
His daughter was a smart kid, and it was absolutely impossible for her to interrupt him and say such childish words for no reason. After all, Su Yanli was a teacher standing on the podium facing many people. He was quick-witted when encountering things, and he realized the problem immediately after his brain started to work.
He first pretended to blame his daughter, then turned around and continued to reply, "My eldest daughter is rude, please punish her, Your Highness."
King Yan raised his hand and let it go. "Doctor Su, continue."
"Yes, Your Highness." Su Yanli bowed and continued, "If the house is damaged, go to the building management office and apply for repairs."
The building and store affairs should have been under the jurisdiction of Jingzhao Yin, but there were too many profits to be made here, so it was gradually turned from being managed by Jingzhao Yin into an independent department with subordinate officials, each with his own duties. Some manage management, some rent out houses, some collect rent, and if there are damaged houses, there are repair workers. It's a self-contained system. Logically speaking, what does it have to do with the Ministry of Works?
But there is so much money to be made, and countless people have tried to get into it. It is simply the best place to breed corruption. The evil servant in the Prince of Jin's Mansion is a typical example. There was also the incident in which the wife of a young official hanged herself a few years ago. The building and store business is not only a place with lucrative money, but also a place for the Censorate to make suggestions. Those who do it well can make a lot of money, but if they don't do it well, they can be thrown into prison, or even have their property confiscated and their family exterminated.
So in the end, this lucrative land unknowingly fell into the hands of the princes.
Now if the wife of a minor official hangs herself again, there will be no confiscation of property and extermination of the clan, right? The emperor can't destroy himself, right?
This is also the reason why Prince Yan Zhao Jing has a headache this year. The rent is collected by the Ministry of Revenue of his second brother Prince Wei, and he is asked to do the repairs. If he wants to repair, he has to apply for money. Prince Wei is not easy to deal with, and it is unknown when he will have to wait for his money. If natural disasters such as snow pressing down on the roof occur in winter, the extermination of the clan is impossible, but his incompetence will also be remembered by the emperor.
The man surnamed Su clearly didn't tell the truth.
He shifted his gaze to the innocent-looking young lady, who was standing aside obediently. When she met his gaze, she pursed her lips timidly, looking cautious and frightened.
He smiled gently at the young lady.
The young lady pursed her lips and smiled back.
Zhao Jing understood that this was a bold move. He was a gentle and dignified superior who would not expose the small subjects and would just laugh it off.
But he didn't let Su Yanli go, "What will you do if the people in charge of the building store refuse to come and repair it, and it's too cold in winter?"
"This..." Su Yanli looked at Zhao Lan.
He turned his head, "Fourth Brother..."
Zhao Jing raised his hand again, "It's rare for me to meet someone who has rented public housing, and I just want to hear a few honest words."
The truth? What is the truth?
Su Ruojin curled her lips secretly. Although she had not deliberately inquired about anything, she owned a breakfast shop and now a morning tea shop, so she could always hear things that ordinary people could not hear.
The princes of the Dayin Dynasty were fighting fiercely among themselves. The building and store affairs are now controlled by the princes, and have actually become pawns in their struggle. Those who rent public housing are suffering.
The Dayin Dynasty was established nearly a hundred years ago, and the public rental housing has a history of several decades. The frequency of repairs is indeed becoming more and more frequent. If it is really cold this winter as Tianzuojian said, then it really needs to be repaired quickly.
Su Yanli was obviously at a loss. He raised his head slightly and looked at the students and the Fourth Prince. He had not rented a house for three years. What truth did he want to hear? He was a little confused.
Is it like what his daughter complained to him in the study room at night? To eliminate corruption, the money should not pass through the hands of the court, but the people who repair the house should not fool the court and the tenants. The only feasible way is to link the vital interests of the repair house with the tenants, so as to achieve the three-in-one.
Zhao Jing quickly asked, "What is three-in-one?"
"Ah!" On impulse, he said out loud the idea he had discussed with his daughter on how to eliminate corruption. Su Yanli was awakened by the King of Yan's question and knelt down hurriedly, "I am just a small teacher. Please don't punish me for talking nonsense, Your Highness."
Su Ruojin didn't expect his father to dare to say it out loud. Perhaps it was because he had been caught in the rain before and wanted to hold an umbrella for those who were suffering from dilapidated public housing!
"No, you said it very well." Zhao Jing stood up and pulled him up himself. "Dr. Su, can you explain it again in detail?"
Su Yanli was pulled up by the King of Yan and said modestly, "I can't explain it in detail, but I think it would be better to let the tenants hire craftsmen to repair the house themselves, and then reduce the corresponding rent according to the repair money. The tenants, craftsmen, and rent collectors will be combined into one. Isn't this simple and convenient?"
Zhao Jing was deep in thought.
Su Ruojin knew that the King of Yan was worried that tenants would pretend to make repairs to pay off the rent, or pass off inferior goods as good ones, repairing at a low price and charging a high price to pay off the rent, or he was afraid that the rent collector would not want to do this.
Regardless of whether it is a fake repair or inferior goods being passed off as good ones, the Ministry of Works can act as a third-party supervisor, determine the actual market repair price and sign it. Only after signing can it be used to offset the rent. As for whether the Ministry of Revenue will accept it, that depends on the Prince of Yan's own ability and whether he can get the Emperor's consent.
Su Yanli felt very uncomfortable as King Yan was staring at him all the time. He was sweating in the October weather.
Zhao Lan looked at the Fourth Prince.
Zhao Jing glanced at his little cousin and said with a smile, "As expected of Zijin's teacher, what a three-in-one."
The Prince of Yan didn't know what the young lady was thinking, but he grasped the key point, that is, he didn't have to ask his second brother for money, it was really great! Since the Ministry of Revenue was unwilling to give money to the Ministry of Works for repairs, then he could always collect less rent.
This did not cause any loss to the Ministry of Works at all, and because there were only so many people involved in the money, corruption was eliminated. He explained this to his father, and his father would definitely agree.
Zhao Lan smiled modestly, "Thank you for your compliment, Fourth Brother."
Finally, a big problem was solved. Zhao Jing looked relaxed. He looked at Su Yanli and smiled repeatedly. He looked very appreciative and wanted to work for him. Su Yanli was frightened by this.
For a person who is indifferent to worldly affairs, the most frightening thing is to be involved in the fight between princes.
Zhao Jing left with satisfaction.
Su Yanli stared at the student with a nervous look on his face, "Zijin, am I... okay?"
Zhao Lan stood at the window and looked downstairs. He waited until Zhao Jing got on the carriage and left before reassuring Su Yanli, "Teacher, don't worry. His Royal Highness Prince Yan is a kind and friendly person. He knows that you have suffered from public housing, so he will seek the welfare of the tenants who have suffered."
Su Yanli understood what the student meant. What he meant was that the King of Yan would not involve him. Only then did he feel relieved.
Su Ruojin was also worried just now, but his father had already said that if Prince Yan wanted to win over talents or something, just let his father refuse. Now Zhao Lan has guaranteed it, so the peaceful life of the small Su family should not be disrupted.
Didn't eat well at all.
Zhao Lan ordered another table and started eating again. He also asked someone to sing some songs to liven up the atmosphere. Only then did it feel like he was dining at the No. 1 restaurant in the world.
Cheng Yingzhen almost never ate out, let alone had the chance to listen to the ditty. She was the one who listened most attentively. If Su Ruojin hadn't reminded her to eat, she probably wouldn't even realize she was hungry.
After dinner and music, the Su family wanted to go back, but Zhao Lan wouldn't let them. "It's rare for you to come out. I'll take you back after dinner."
Su Family: ...
Zhao Lan: "Please take a nap first. Wait for a moment and I will let you watch the show."
Wow, there's still hope!
Cheng Yingzhen's eyes lit up and she looked towards her husband.
Su Yanli said a little too much in front of King Yan. Although he had the assurance of his students, he was still a little nervous and had not fully recovered. Seeing that his wife was happy, he cheered up and nodded in agreement.
"Thank you, sir."
Su Sanlang and Su Silang were jumping up and down and were very happy. With their parents around, Su San was not in a hurry to go home like last time and was having a great time.
Su Ruojin could see that her father was somewhat uneasy, so she leaned close to him and whispered to comfort him, "To the King of Yan, you are just a teacher, and the teacher of the youngest son of the King of Jin. No matter what he wants, the first step is to consider the feelings of the King of Jin or the young Prince Zhao. He probably won't do anything to you."
His daughter's words were like a refreshing medicine. After hearing them, Su Yanli's anxiety seemed to disappear automatically. He said with emotion: "I have also suffered enough from public housing, so I couldn't help but bring up what we discussed three years ago."
"I remember that Dad was afraid of becoming the essayist for the palace examination, right?"
Su Yanli nodded, "Unfortunately not."
"Maybe public housing is just one of the livelihood issues. It's not the right time for the emperor to make it a policy topic."
After talking to his daughter, Su Yanli finally put aside what he had said in front of the Fourth Prince and watched the show seriously.
Su Ruojin was thinking, maybe if I give my father a chance, he would be a good official! Although he was very scared, he still hoped that the tenants could benefit and dared to speak up in front of the prince.
(End of this chapter)
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