Chapter 1597: Visit

The tax revenue in Zhangzhou is still at the bottom because no tax is levied on growing medicinal herbs on wasteland. After three years of exemption, the tax revenue will increase in another two years.

Although taxes were collected as a cushion, the people of Zhangzhou believed that the government officials all had one or two acres of wasteland to grow medicinal herbs. After the settlement, they had some money in their hands, some with more than one or two taels, and some with a few hundred coins.

Now that the people have money in their hands, Zhangzhou is less lifeless this year.

The emperor was very happy when he saw this, because the success of a state meant that it could be replicated. As long as the right path was found according to local conditions, the people would be able to live a good life.

Old Master Liu straightened his back and ignored the jealous glares.

Too many people regretted letting the Liu family take the lead. Look at the data on the folder, it is so good. Even those who are slow to react know that if this continues, Zhangzhou will not be a poor state. What a great achievement!

Zhou Shuren was also pleased. It was Liu Feng's idea to grow medicinal herbs. He was proud that he had a good eye for choosing his grandson-in-law.

After the morning court session, many people were congratulating Old Master Liu, and there were quite a few people congratulating Zhou Shuren as well.

Li Zhao's tone was a little sour, "You have a really good eye."

When the Zhou family's eldest granddaughter got married, everyone had some complaints, especially since she married a widowed mother. Who would still talk about it now?

Zhou Shuren stroked his beard and said with a smug tone, "I can't help it, I just have good taste."

Wang Ju was not jealous, because his son-in-law was not bad, but he had neither a grandson-in-law nor a granddaughter!

Zhou Shuren and Old Master Liu smiled at each other. This was a win-win situation for both families. The purpose of marriage was not to ask for help, but only to not be a hindrance. It was rare to have such a powerful in-law like the Zhou family!

So more people were staring at Yu Wen. A few days later, Su Xuan came to the main courtyard with a bunch of notes, "Mom, can you take a look?"

Zhulan looked up from the painting she just bought. "So many?"

A quick look at the dozen or so posts.

Su Xuan, "This is today's post. The top one is about the tea-tasting party at the Yong'an Duke's Mansion."

Zhu Lan put down the painting and picked up the invitation from the Duke's Mansion. "Although the Duke's Mansion has always been low-key, it is still the Duke's Mansion. I don't know how much wealth it has accumulated. Zhuo Guyu's reputation has grown this year, and many people want to marry into the Duke's Mansion."

Su Xuan nodded, "Yes, last time at the Prince Qin's Mansion, Qin was too enthusiastic and set traps several times. The ladies who attended the banquet understood it in their hearts. Although it was not spread, they knew what the Duke's Mansion was thinking. I really don't want to accept the invitation."

Zhu Lan put down the post and said, "You can't hide from it. You can hide today but not tomorrow. The Duke's Mansion dare not go too far."

Su Xuan heard her mother-in-law's determined tone and asked, "Why?"

Zhu Lan signaled the maids to go down, and signaled Su Xuan to come over and whispered, "Because the emperor doesn't like the Yong'an Duke's Mansion, and your father-in-law is highly regarded by the royal family, the old Duke dare not offend your father."

Su Xuan's brain reacted quickly and she got angry, "So you're using my daughter as a ladder?"

Zhu Lan smiled and said, "After the emperor's serious illness, his health has improved."

This means that the emperor is still alive, which surprises Zhulan. Finally, Shuren tells her affirmatively that the emperor seems to have let it go and his health has indeed recovered.

Su Xuan, "The old duke is worried about his grandson."

"No, he is worried about the Duke's Mansion."

He has lived his life as a grassroots person, and his mind is so scheming. He sacrificed the emperor to protect himself back then. It would be strange if the emperor did not remember it. The fact that he has ignored the Yong'an Duke's Mansion for so many years is proof of this. If it were not for the protection of his founding contributions and if he had not made any major mistakes, the Duke's Mansion would have ceased to exist long ago.

Su Xuan stood up and turned around twice, "What a good calculation."

Her father-in-law was very prestigious in the royal family, but she had become numb to it over the years. If her father-in-law could lend a hand, the Yong'an Mansion would be able to get out of the predicament. When she thought about the calculations behind it, she became furious.

Su Xuan held the invitation from the Duke's Mansion in her hand and said, "Yu Wen and I will attend the banquet."

"Well, we don't need to hide. It seems that we are afraid. You can do whatever you want. An He is the county lord. She doesn't need to put herself in a difficult position."

Who knows, the bigger the noise, the happier the emperor will be.

Su Xuan felt relieved and noticed the painting again, "Mom, we don't have this painting at home, did you buy it recently?"

Zhulan smiled and nodded, "Yes, Changzhong bought it and asked the servant to bring it back specially."

Su Xuan looked at the painting of snow plums carefully and said, "It's really well drawn."

Zhulan laughed, "Yes, five taels of silver."

Su Xuan was surprised, "So cheap?"

Among the paintings in my mother-in-law's hands, this one is the cheapest. The most expensive one is the one by my brother-in-law. More and more people are collecting my brother-in-law's paintings. Unfortunately, my brother-in-law doesn't paint as often anymore, and the prices are getting higher and higher.

Zhulan, "Changzhong bought it. It must be from someone he knows. I think it's good. I want to show it to your brother-in-law."

Su Xuan was not interested in these things, except her mother-in-law. "Mom, I'll go back first."

"Um."

In the evening, Zhou Shuren came back and saw the painting. "Did you also buy this painting in the art gallery?"

"Changzhong bought it from Gu Sheng."

Zhou Shuren heard Gu Sheng's name again, "He can also paint?"

"I heard from Changzhong that Gu Sheng was favored by a lot of people in his hometown, who taught him to paint, and he earned his salary by painting."

Zhou Shuren stroked his beard and said, "It is indeed a chance."

Zhulan nodded, "I heard from Changzhong that Gu Sheng recently sold three paintings and saved some money. He recently rented a small courtyard and moved out of the compound."

Zhou Shuren was surprised, "Why is my son so concerned about him?"

Zhulan, "This person is well educated, and your son would like to get to know him more."

Zhou Shuren didn't care about his younger son's friends. He and Wu Ming raised the child themselves, so it would be difficult for him to deceive Changzhong.

The next day, Changzhong took his brother-in-law in a carriage to look for Gu Sheng. The alley was too narrow and the carriage from the Marquis' Mansion could not pass through, so it had to stop at the entrance of the alley.

Jiang Sheng had never been to this place, but he knew it. "Every year, candidates who go to Beijing to take the imperial examinations will rent a yard here."

Because it is close to the place where the imperial examinations are held.

Changzhong exhaled, "It's very cold today."

Jiang Sheng looked at the boy beside him, "You're wearing so much and you're still cold?"

"It's cold, brother-in-law, let's go quickly."

"good."

The two quickly followed the servant's instructions and arrived at the gate of the courtyard. The servant went forward and knocked on the door. After waiting for a while, Gu Sheng opened the door and said, "Sir, please come in, sir."

Changzhong was coming to my house, and he sent a servant to inform me yesterday. I entered the yard, which was not big, and I was alone and quiet. "Your place is nice."

Gu Sheng bought some tea leaves yesterday, boiled water early, and brewed tea himself, saying, "I can be alone and quiet."

Jiang Sheng's eyes fell on the table, where there were paintings. He held back for a moment, but still didn't get up. "I saw your paintings yesterday."

Gu Sheng sat up straight. He knew this son-in-law of the Zhou Marquis's mansion. He had never seen his paintings, but he heard that many people liked them. He also liked painting. "Please give me some advice, sir."

Jiang Sheng smiled and said, "I can't give you any advice, but we can discuss it a little bit."

At this time, someone knocked on the door again. Gu Sheng stood up apologetically and opened the door to see Master Ji. "Why are you here?"