Later, the city lord defied public opinion and insisted on making this beauty the regent. Not only Geng Rui, but all the civil and military officials felt that Tang 77 was a treacherous minister who brought disaster to the country and the people.
Geng Rui was really worried that Lanling, which he had finally managed to reclaim, would be lost again. After court, he knelt outside Lanyu Hall for a whole night, asking him to purge the court of corrupt officials. Lanyu not only disagreed, but also asked him to fully cooperate with the Regent. Geng Rui then regarded Tang 77 as the number one enemy of the Lanling City Lord.
Tang 77 realized he had been a bit too hasty after saying that, but he always spoke his mind. He said, "You haven't done anything particularly rebellious yet, but the city lord visits your residence every few days, and the regent enters the capital without even needing to report. It's hard not to wonder what's going on!"
Tang 77 said impatiently, "You can think whatever you want, but you can't stop working. The older and more mature one is more insightful than you. The Grand Minister of Agriculture sees things more clearly than you. He never hides his dislike for me, but when I have a way to feed the people, he immediately goes to work. That's what it means to care about the people. Lord Geng, you've just been given the title of virtuous and capable for nothing!"
Geng Rui's people are strange. They can tolerate anything else, but if you say that Geng Rui is not a good official, they will still argue their case even if they are beaten so badly that they can't get up.
Sure enough, the person on the ground started spewing profanities again.
Li Liang was about to teach him a lesson when Tang 77 stopped him with a gesture, because she could tell that Geng Rui had been persuaded by her.
Sure enough, Geng Rui reprimanded the servants and began to speak seriously to Tang 77:
"Your Excellency's words are so reasonable and well-founded, I am ashamed. Since Your Excellency also wants the people of Lanling to live a good life, then please do not hesitate to enlighten me!"
Tang 77 couldn't help but sigh, "This Geng Rui really doesn't act until he sees the rabbit; he wants to see if this Regent really has any real ability."
Tang 77 said, "Because the city lord is young, all sorts of forces have been eyeing Lanling City for years, which is why small disturbances have been constant and the people have been living a difficult life."
Two years ago, the city lord swiftly quelled the external enemies, but unfortunately, he was betrayed by his trusted confidant, and Lanling City fell into the hands of Qin Xiao. He was tyrannical and dissolute, and the people endured two years of darkness. Now, their most urgent wish is to have food to eat, clothes to wear, and no more war!
Geng Rui chuckled lightly: "Isn't this obvious! You went to all this trouble just to talk to me about Lanling's current predicament!"
Tang 77 patiently said to his mother, "To solve a problem, we must first know where the right solution is. What Lanling needs to do now is to encourage farmers to cultivate the land and solve the problem of food and clothing."
The next step is to ensure that this group of people in the city without land have jobs so they can support themselves!
Geng Rui nodded unconsciously, but still spoke with a critical tone: "I have read your proposal to encourage production, but everyone is struggling to even get enough to eat, so where would they get the money to spend? I'm afraid your idea of encouraging commerce is just wishful thinking!"
Tang 77 said calmly, "The people of Lanling don't have much purchasing power right now, but Lord Geng is being far too short-sighted. The seven cities of Great Yan are vast, and Lin'an and Yangcheng are extremely wealthy. Their purchasing power is astonishing!"
Geng Rui looked up in surprise and said, "The Regent wants our people to make money in other cities. It's just that the ideal is too lofty and the reality is too harsh. I suppose the Regent doesn't know how developed the handicraft industry is in Lin'an and Yangcheng. Compared with others, our workshop's products can only be considered crude and shoddy!"
Tang 77 patiently persuaded, "Lord Geng has not served as Minister for nothing. Now that you know that our things are all poorly made, shouldn't we think of a way to deal with it?"
Geng Rui sighed and said helplessly, "I spent a lot of money to hire a master from Yangcheng to teach our people, but later Qin Xiao took over and the master ran away. Our people were exploited to the point that they had no time to study these things."
Not long ago, I sent another group of people there, but several major cities said they wouldn't allow the technology to leak out. To put it bluntly, they don't want us to have an easy time; they're plotting to annex Lanling!
Tang 77 couldn't hold back any longer. She said angrily, "Since you know all this, how can you still lie at home for 7 days without worry?"
Geng Rui smiled wryly and said, "I've been lying at home for seven days, but my people haven't been idle. I heard that a Tang family has emerged in Huaiyuan and has been doing very well in recent years. They're from our Lanling area, and I've already sent someone to invite them to open a shop in Lanling. They'll bring us new technologies, and they'll be here soon!"
Tang 771 said incredulously, "Geng Rui, you're quite something! I didn't realize you were so young yet so shrewd. You even fooled me, the Regent. It seems the City Lord was right; you are indeed very capable. I take back what I said before—that you're just a pretty face with no substance!"
Geng Rui didn't know what expression to make after hearing this. Was he being called useless, or was he being praised for his good looks?
Tang 77 shook his head and said, "But Lord Geng, your idea is good, but you definitely won't be able to get anyone here!"
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