Chapter 160
Chapter 160
Everyone from the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of Rites of Tianqi State looked very happy.
Jiyuan, ah Jiyuan, you did a great job!
These officials have all been transferred to other places and have served as local governors. They understand very well what such a large population means to the local area.
Moreover, the fact that these people are willing to go to Ning'an Prefecture on their own initiative shows that the situation in Ning'an Prefecture is extremely good, otherwise it would not attract so many people.
But they were happy, and the other southwestern countries were all upset.
More than 50,000 people went out from here.
The majority are from Jing Country with over 20,000, followed by Hehui Country with 5,000 to 6,000.
The rest were scattered, and some from each family left.
Various places have also thought about blocking it, but the mountains are endless, who can stop it?
Just like it's going to rain, no one can stop it.
Since everyone didn't have much property, they just left with their wives and children.
These people may not be a big deal when they come to Ning'an Prefecture.
But the population of a small country is already small, and if one household leaves, one less household will have to pay grain.
No wonder everyone looked at Ji Yuan with strange expressions.
No matter how good this official is, what’s the use? He is not one of theirs.
With just a few words from Prince He Hui, the southwestern countries returned to his side and confronted the Ministry of Revenue again.
After listening to what the other party said, Ji Yuan said lightly: "There are several breeding farms in Ning'an Prefecture. If you want to buy cattle, you can come and have a look later."
"There are many farms there, and the price is not expensive."
!!!
Buy a cow?!
Isn’t it expensive?
"We can also exchange it for wood. We really need wood in our area."
"Weaving is also fine. I remember that some of your families have very good fabrics. Is it a special craft? It is exactly what Ning'an Prefecture needs."
Prince He Hui could hear everyone swallowing.
"There are also methods for repairing canals. We have compiled a manual for the construction of terraced canals. You can take a look at it later."
Ji Yuan asked local engineers and craftsmen to write this book, which describes the situation of the local terraced fields in Ning'an Prefecture in great detail.
As long as you have this book, you can find corresponding cases no matter what situation you encounter in different places.
It can be said that with this book, any canal can be repaired.
Ji Yuan sent this book to the court very early.
The finished books were naturally sent to the Hanlin Academy. One of Cai Fenglan's jobs in the Hanlin Academy was to compile these books.
It was also taken away at this moment.
As for these things, will the officials of Tianqi State mind?
No.
It's nothing more than passing on their own advanced experience to all directions. What's the big deal? Their Tianqi Kingdom is a central power and it is their duty to educate the people.
This idea is a bit arrogant.
But it can also be seen that the Tianqi Kingdom has never been opposed to the surrounding small countries learning farming technology, and has never even thought of using this matter as a threat.
After all, the Hanlin Academy compiled the books and they could be sold by booksellers everywhere.
If these southwestern countries want to buy it, it is very easy.
The official language used by Prince Hehui and others, as well as the Four Books and Five Classics that they learned since childhood, were all obtained from the Tianqi Kingdom, and no one had any objections to this.
After the era was finished, the southwestern countries were somewhat confused.
Why does it feel like they are taking advantage of Tianqi?
But do they want the “Manual on Terrace and Canal Construction”?
Of course I do.
Prince He Hui's lips moved slightly.
He looked at the young man Ji Yuan.
I knew Ji Yuan was difficult, but I didn't know it was this difficult.
The confrontation before the formal negotiations had already made many onlookers excited.
Wait until the real talk begins.
This made Prince He Hui vomit blood.
"Fifty million jin?"
"impossible."
"Sixteen countries, a total of 500,000 kilograms."
"These are rice seeds, not food aid to you."
How many?
Fifty million kilograms.
Become 500,000 kilograms? !
Are you kidding me?
There are a total of sixteen small countries on their side!
Ji Yuan continued: "It will be divided according to the population of each country."
“It can’t be led by one country.”
Every word Ji Yuan said made Prince He Hui sneer.
Not to mention cutting down so many good varieties.
It is also necessary to separate the forces that are forming a group among the southwestern countries.
What a good plan.
"No, your country has a saying that says, don't bully small countries for the sake of big countries." Prince He Hui gritted his teeth, "Your Tianqi country is a big country, why do you want to bully small countries like us."
Do not bully a small country for the sake of a big country. This is a saying from Mozi.
It seems that Prince Hehui has read a lot of works from Tianqi in private.
But when this word is used here, it sounds as if they have been wronged.
Someone from the Ministry of Revenue said, "It was you who begged Tianqi Kingdom for good seeds. It is natural that we have the final say on how much to give. How can we be bullying you?"
"If you say you want to build a mountain of gold, and we don't give it to you, does that mean we are bullying you?"
The people in the Ministry of Revenue originally spoke very politely.
But after getting in touch with them, I found that it is most convenient to communicate in plain language, but I am afraid that the other party may not understand.
Prince Ha Hui is indeed changing the logic.
It's just like asking someone to borrow money. You ask for 50 million, and they refuse to give you. Then you say they are stingy and that they are bullying you. Is that reasonable?
Prince He Hui said again: "Knowing that our country is small and weak, you still want to separate us. Isn't this bullying?"
Ji Yuan heard this and chuckled, "Do the populations of the sixteen small countries combined have more people than Dianzhou Prefecture?"
Everyone was silent.
How is this possible!
The total population of these sixteen small countries is less than five million.
Don’t you have any idea how big Dianzhou Prefecture is?
"To the Tianqi Nation, it seems to make no difference whether you are sixteen, twenty-six, or one."
"Calculating the number of donated high-quality seeds separately is to ensure that each party gets a fairer number of high-quality seeds."
"Otherwise, what should we do if the big countries among you bully the small countries?"
Yes, to Tianqi Kingdom, no matter how many small countries you are, does it matter?
In fact, there is a difference. The saying that we should not bully small countries for the sake of big countries is also correct.
But at this moment it was a negotiation, about the pros and cons, and about the amount of rice seeds to be donated. Ji Yuan's words immediately stunned the other party.
And what he said later is indeed the concern of other small countries.
If Jingguo and Hehuiguo were allowed to distribute it.
Then these small countries will definitely suffer, there is no need to think about it.
Whether it is Jing Kingdom or Hehui Kingdom, they cannot afford to offend.
If we let Tianqi Kingdom act as a guarantor, it seems feasible?
It is divided again.
Prince He Hui just felt that Ji Yuan seemed to be his nemesis.
After agreeing on the distribution method, the next step is the quantity.
A whole day of negotiations had no effect at all.
The Ministry of Revenue also insisted on giving a total of 500,000 yuan and only discussed the distribution issue.
The other party naturally refused.
Fifty million to five hundred thousand, are you kidding me?
After the people from the Southwestern Kingdoms, led by Prince He Hui, left in a huff, the Ministry of Revenue said, "Is the amount really that small? It shouldn't be that bad."
"They ask for an exorbitant price, so we just pay them back." Ji Yuan smiled.
Cai Fenglan noticed something different.
When Ji Yuan talks about things, he usually doesn't do it in such an extreme way. He only gives relatively reasonable numbers.
The number of five hundred thousand is indeed a bit too little.
Is it really just to continue the conversation?
This is not the style of Ji Yuan.
Ji Yuan looked at Prince He Hui's back and slowly drank his tea.
Now that we have suffered a setback at the Ministry of Revenue, it’s time to ask for help.
Ji Yuan smiled at Cai Fenglan.
It’s not that he wants to hide it on purpose, but this matter really cannot be told. It won’t be good for anyone.
Even if there is only a one percent chance of finding him out, it would be a crime punishable by the death of all nine generations of his clan.
Fortunately, none of his nine clans deserve to be killed, so let it be.
After Prince He Hui came out of the Ministry of Rites, he said to his subordinates, "Where is Living Buddha Terry? Let him come to see this prince."
"The Emperor of Tianqi has summoned him and said he wants to give a lecture. It will probably be tomorrow." The subordinate replied immediately.
Prince Hehui frowned, and the subordinate quickly said: "Living Buddha Terry is still loyal to you."
He is definitely loyal. He prepared the elixir recipe and the man’s outfit himself.
Besides, if Living Buddha Terry wants to get out of this situation, he has to rely on himself.
"If it doesn't work tomorrow, come and see me tonight."
It was late December and the nights were even colder.
Terry Living Buddha's hometown, India, has never experienced such weather. He came over with a hunched back, and his thick velvet robes looked exquisite.
In just a few months, all the accessories on Terry Living Buddha's body were changed, which shows the generosity and importance of the Emperor of Tianqi.
Prince Hehui felt something was wrong, but Living Buddha Terry took the initiative to explain: "It's all to gain trust."
"And there's something wrong with that pill, you and I both know that."
As for what the problem was, neither Living Buddha Terry nor Prince Hehui was quite clear.
But they understand one thing: they have no ability to communicate with gods and Buddhas at all.
Terry Living Buddha was just a wandering monk from India, not even a formal monk.
All the abilities they demonstrated were just the elixir recipe they found temporarily and the right-handed conch shell they bought at a huge price.
They don't know the effect of the recipe.
The effect of the right-handed conch comes from the spice inside the conch. This fragrance is a specialty of India and is called Yaolansha.
It is a local stone in India that can be used as a spice. It has a natural fragrance that can lift people's spirits.
But don’t use it too much.
If you use it too much, your mental health will be affected.
Living Buddha Terry didn't know the specific power of the elixir, but he knew the situation of the demon blue sand, so he was also anxious.
“Why hasn’t the number of improved varieties been determined yet?”
As long as the number of good quality seeds is determined and He Huiguo gets them first, he can find an opportunity to escape.
So the faster the time t, the better.
We must get the good quality seeds before anything happens to Yaolansha.
Terry continued: "My share won't be less, right?"
That is to say, Ji Yuan is not here, otherwise he would know the connection.
Terry Living Buddha was from India, where rice was also grown, and he also wanted the good varieties of Champa rice.
As long as he brings them back to India, he doesn't need to be a monk in the future. Just relying on these good seeds, he can become a wealthy man.
Everyone has their own ideas, but in a word, the goal is to get good seeds.
Prince He Hui explained the situation on his side clearly.
Terry Living Buddha immediately said: "I will talk to the emperor tomorrow and ask him to agree as soon as possible."
"Will the emperor agree to you?" asked Prince He Hui.
Living Buddha Terry was actually also puzzled, but he said: "The recipe you found seems to be really useful. I don't know why, but after the Emperor of Tianqi took it, his health really improved a lot."
It may also be the effect of the superposition of demon blue sand.
Anyway, as long as he gives the emperor the elixir, the emperor's health will get better, and the old emperor will trust him more.
Whatever Living Buddha Terry says, the other party will definitely listen.
If Terry wasn't unfamiliar with the climate here and hadn't faced potential dangers, he would have thought it would be nice for him to stay here.
But thinking about the fate of those people in the Secret Buddha Temple, he decided to just pack up his money and run.
If you want to escape quickly, you must ask the emperor to agree to the number of good breeds as soon as possible.
Although Ji Yuan didn't know the inside story, he could roughly infer the cycle behind it.
The more the Ministry of Revenue tightens its control over good seeds, the more Prince Hehui will urge Terry, and the more Living Buddha Terry will flatter the emperor and give him more elixirs.
It's almost a perpetual motion machine.
To put it bluntly, even if the emperor agrees to give 50 million kilograms of high-quality seeds, the specific way of giving it and how to give it still has to be decided by the Ministry of Revenue.
The leader will set a general scope, and the remaining specific plans still need to be provided by the Ministry of Households.
Moreover, it is impossible for the emperor to be angry because Ji Yuan insisted on defending Ning'an Prefecture.
Therefore, he didn't need to do much, just quarrel with Prince Hehui in the Ministry of Households.
What good breed?
Don't want 50 million catties of high-quality seeds? Just 40 million catties?
What are you thinking about? If you keep talking, I won’t give you even 500,000 kilograms.
ah?
What are you dreaming about the gold and silver you promised me before? I don’t intend to give it to you.
This condition seems more and more wrong as we discuss it.
Even the things given are getting less and less.
Every time, Prince He Hui gets really angry.
The good varieties of other small countries have been determined. They will be able to go back after the new year and obtain the good varieties from Ning'an Prefecture with documents.
Until the winter vacation, the emperor would always ask: "Master Ji, aren't you too stingy? It's just a reward from some small countries, don't take it too seriously."
"Fifty million high-quality seeds are only the annual harvest of Ning'an Prefecture."
"And they have already given up to 40 million kilograms."
It can be said that the emperor did give in.
But even though they have agreed to give it, we still have to discuss the specific details later.
The issue of improved seeds has been delayed again and again.
Especially the good varieties of Hehui Country, there is absolutely no progress.
This is not Jiyuan's usual efficiency at all.
Although the people in the Ministry of Revenue did not show it on their faces, they were also muttering in their hearts.
However, the Minister of Revenue, Grand Secretary Chu, said privately that if someone behaved like this, he should be followed.
According to his thinking, he was not willing to give the good seeds to the southwestern countries.
Ji Yuan does things to his liking.
But this matter has to be put on hold.
The court is going to have a winter vacation, so everything will have to wait until after the sixth day of next year.
The news spread throughout the court and the country.
Opinions on the Era are mixed.
It is roughly divided into two factions.
One party felt that Ji Yuan was too stingy. They were just some good breeds. It shouldn't be so serious.
The other side felt that Ji Yuan was right and that one’s own things should not be given away to outsiders.
The two factions even quarreled with each other among the people.
As for, who wins and who loses?
It is no exaggeration to say that the latter beat the former.
Anyone who eats rice and anyone who has land at home.
Everyone should curse the former severely.
"You are generous? Why don't you give us your seeds?"
"Ah? What's wrong with Ji Yuan fighting for the interests of the people of Ning'an Prefecture?"
"Lord Ji is concerned about his own people, so he argued with the scholars! You are still holding him back!"
"The people of Tianqi haven't even planted Champa rice yet, so why give it to others first? Why? Are they supposed to cure the emperor's illness?"
The person who said this was covered by everyone's mouth.
Even the former said nervously: "We can quarrel, but do you want to die?!"
Although everyone knows it.
The reason why those southwestern countries dared to ask for such a high price was because of the Living Buddha. The Living Buddha paid tribute to the emperor with elixirs, so he had to give away rice seeds for free.
Ji Yuan did that just to stop the loss.
But even though I know it, I can’t say it.
If the emperor hears this, you will still be alive.
Thinking of this, everyone sighed for Ji Yuan.
What a good official! He really cares about the people.
This year's New Year's Day in Beijing was celebrated with great enthusiasm.
Because of all these big and small events, and because the emperor had the energy to get up, various celebratory dances were prepared.
There are colorful pavilions in every street and alley of the capital.
In the past, people were afraid of breaking taboos, but this year, there is no need to do that. Everyone celebrated the New Year in a lively manner.
Ji Yuan also celebrated the New Year in the capital.
But this year it was the first time I felt it was so lively.
During the Chinese New Year, Ji Yuan not only cleaned his own house with Cai Fenglan and others, but also went to the Cheng family next door to do some simple cleaning.
The Cheng family was rehabilitated and his house was naturally returned to him.
But now there is no laughter or joy, only a dilapidated look.
It took Ji Yuan two or three days before he and his men cleaned the house inside and out.
Even the Spring Festival couplets have been prepared, containing all auspicious words.
After this incident, the Cheng family will surely be able to turn bad luck around and turn bad luck into good.
When Cai Fenglan was busy following, he saw Ji Yuan tidying up the Cheng family yard carefully and said, "Teacher Cheng's family is indeed in trouble."
This family of Chengs were relatives of their teacher Cheng, and Cai Fenglan also knew this.
So when he saw Lord Cheng's file, he was furious and wanted to grind everyone in the Secret Buddha Hall to ashes.
Of course, they can’t die anymore now.
However, no matter how angry he was at that time, he never thought of helping the Cheng family take care of the yard.
Ji Yuan is still very careful.
If Teacher Cheng knew this, he would definitely be relieved.
Ji Yuan hesitated to speak, and just patted Cai Fenglan on the shoulder: "I'll tell you later."
ah?
What to talk about?
Any other inside story?
Can't you say it now?
Ji Yuan said: “Wait a little longer.”
At least wait for the reply from Ning'an Prefecture.
During the New Year holidays, life outside was relatively peaceful.
But the palace is different.
Because the old emperor has a new idea.
After many years, the old emperor prepared to offer sacrifices to heaven and earth in person, and it was scheduled for the first day of the Lunar New Year this year.
Offering sacrifices to heaven and earth in the Temple of Heaven and Earth outside the capital has always been a privilege enjoyed only by the emperor.
This is the scene that best demonstrates one's status.
Everyone in the Ministry of Internal Affairs began to get busy.
Although the emperor acted on a whim, they still had to do things well.
Come to think of it, the emperor was in poor health in the past few years and never went to offer sacrifices to heaven and earth. At first, he asked the prince to do it on his behalf, but later he just let it go.
My health is finally getting better this year, so I will definitely go there in person.
I heard that the Emperor specifically requested more pills and he will probably hold the ceremony himself.
This is also to tell the people of the world that the emperor is in good health and there is no need to worry!
No one knows whether to worry or not.
Ji Yuan only knew that the old emperor, who had been ill for a long time, suddenly felt better and did this. He was really not afraid of anything happening.
This is like a person who has recovered from a long illness and can't wait to go out for a trip. He must be feeling too depressed.
On the first day of the Lunar New Year in the forty-fourth year of Huayuan, sacrifices were offered to heaven and earth.
Ji Yuan is naturally included in it.
Whether it was his outstanding performance in his post or the attention paid by the emperor, the crown prince, and the prime minister.
Or maybe because of his reputation among the people for his advocacy for good breeds, he must have been involved in this trip.
Fortunately, the preparatory work has little to do with the era.
All he has to do is prepare his official uniform and attend on time on New Year's Day.
Speaking of which, this was Ji Yuan's first time to participate in the royal ceremony of offering sacrifices to heaven and earth.
The first day of the first lunar month in the forty-fourth year of Huayuan.
Early in the morning at the hour of Yin, which is four o'clock in the morning in winter.
Before dawn, heavy snow fell.
Ji Yuan put on thick clothes under his official uniform, looked in the direction of the palace, and walked over there by himself holding a lantern.
Fortunately, my home is close, otherwise I would have to prepare a car.
Ji Yuan walked forward with one foot deep and one foot shallow, only to feel that the direction of the palace was foggy and filled with an indescribable chill.
When the new era came, only young ministers were seen; the slightly older officials had not appeared at this moment.
It's not that they are lazy, it's just that the weather is too cold.
When everyone saw Ji Yuan coming, they greeted him.
In particular, the people in the Ministry of Revenue discussed from time to time how to negotiate with the southwestern countries after the new year. Their main purpose was to see what Ji Yuan meant by that and how many good seeds he would give to the other party.
But after a few words, he couldn't help but say, "It's too cold today, and the snow is still falling. If we walk to the outskirts of Beijing, we'll all get frozen."
Everyone had heaters in their sleeves, and when they saw Ji Yuan had nothing in his hands, they looked at his body.
This guy Ji Yuan!
Do you still want people of your age to live?
They seem to be healthier than others!
Ji Yuan was also the result of years of training, but even so, he nodded and said, "It is quite cold."
As they were saying this, the old officials came forward in their carriages.
The leaders were naturally Prime Minister Li and Grand Secretary Chu.
They are both old and need someone to support them when walking in such cold weather.
Prime Minister Li is sixty-nine this year, and Grand Secretary Chu is sixty-two.
It's really tiring to go through all this trouble.
After the two got off the car, someone quickly built some more braziers nearby.
Even the great scholar Chu said nothing more and closed his eyes to rest.
Human aging is inevitable and cannot be avoided.
Just as he was thinking about it, he saw two monks walking out of the palace, followed by a group of eunuchs and palace maids.
"The Emperor has granted you two the Divine Buddha Pill. Please take care of yourselves."
This is definitely said to Prime Minister Li and Grand Secretary Chu.
They both subconsciously accepted the order and thanked the emperor, but they did not eat the pills in their hands.
After a while, he swallowed it behind people's backs.
Not long after, Mr. Chu's face turned red and he even felt sweat on his palms.
Upon seeing this, Prime Minister Li touched the medicine box in his sleeve again, seeming to be interested.
Just as Ji Yuan was about to step forward, Prime Minister Li closed his eyes again, obviously not intending to take it.
If Chu Daxueshi had a ruddy complexion, then the old emperor, who finally left the palace, could be described as walking briskly.
In the foggy weather, heavy snow was falling from the sky.
The young officials couldn't help but curl up their bodies, but the emperor was the only one who was wearing sacrificial robes. His face was incredibly rosy. If you looked closely, it seemed that his temples were still sweating?
Forty-two years in Huayuan.
The 66-year-old emperor seems to have really regained his youth.
Many officials rubbed their eyes.
ah?
Is this the aging emperor?
Why, why does he look so good?
Looking at his appearance, he seems to have gained some weight?!
Are the pills made by the Living Buddha really useful?
Many officials have already been tempted.
If it is really useful, they will ask someone to refine some later.
Ji Yuan was in the crowd, almost looking into the emperor's pupils. Normally, such a gaze would be easily noticed.
But the emperor didn't notice, he was still talking with the crown prince and the fifth prince.
He was even friendly to the emperor's eldest grandson, and his expression showed a different kind of excitement.
This is not right.
Something is very wrong.
How many elixirs did the emperor take in order to be able to offer sacrifices to heaven and earth?
Ji Yuan suddenly discovered.
He seemed to have underestimated the greed of the man in front of him.
He also underestimated the man's determination to regain his youth.
Will offering sacrifices to heaven and earth really go smoothly?
How long will this abnormal "health" last?
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