22 I pity you
"Mr. Shen, just forget what we said last night."
"Your Highness is too kind. All I ask for is Jinyun Workshop."
This time, Shi Ye's eyes genuinely showed a hint of surprise. "Why Jin Yun Fang?"
He thought Shen Suqin was looking for him because she wanted something else, since she was no longer an ordinary person and was qualified enough to enter the court.
“I have a grudge against Princess Changtai,” Shen Suqin said bluntly, “so naturally I need to find some support.”
Shi Ye leaned forward slightly. "Then do you know that Princess Changtai is my aunt, and she has favored me since childhood?"
"Yes, I know. I also know that Jinyunfang covers His Highness's various expenses."
Shi Ye waved his hand, signaling her to continue.
Shen Suqin rubbed her fingers against the chair. "I won't beat around the bush. If Your Highness cooperates with me, I guarantee that after Jinyunfang changes hands, I can provide Your Highness with ten times the current financial support."
That's all?
“Of course not,” Shen Suqin pulled out a stack of papers from her bosom and handed them to him. “The root cause of the widespread refugees in Daliang lies in the poll tax and land annexation. This plan is precisely for reforming the tax and land system.”
“She, Shen Suqiu, can support the entire Eastern Palace, while I, Shen Suqin, can support the entire Great Liang. Your Highness can consider who you want to cooperate with. If you choose me, this plan will be offered to you free of charge.”
After finishing her sentence, Shen Suqin fell silent, poured herself a cup of tea, and slowly drank it.
Meanwhile, Shi Ye across from him frowned, seemingly analyzing the contents of the paper word by word.
Xiao Pingchuan remained seated, occasionally refilling Shen Suqin's tea.
After a full incense stick's time had passed, Shi Ye finally let out a long sigh and solemnly handed the paper to Xiao Pingchuan beside him for safekeeping.
Shi Ye stood up, clasped his hands in a fist salute, and said to Shen Suqin, "Sir, you are very righteous."
Shen Suqin paused for a moment, then stood up and helped the person up with both hands.
Xiao Pingchuan seemed somewhat surprised by the Crown Prince's actions. He glanced at the item in his hand briefly, and his expression grew more and more serious as he looked at it.
"What is the specific meaning of your writings on equal land distribution and land tax reform?" Shi Ye asked.
He had initially thought Shen Suqin was simply someone who could write elegant prose, at most someone who cared about the hardships of ordinary people and dared to speak the truth. Before meeting her today, his impression of her wasn't bad either; after all, what woman in the world would dare to embarrass a noble family to their face?
But after reading those few thin sheets of paper, he realized that the person in front of him had the talent to govern the country.
Shen Suqin shook his head. "Your Highness is too hasty. Putting aside the fact that reforming the tax system is His Majesty's business, just consider the issue of land annexation. Is Your Highness prepared to be at odds with all the powerful clans in the world?"
Shi Ye hesitated.
"Then, in your opinion, when would be the right time?"
"Naturally, we'll wait until Your Highness truly holds power, a power that is not subject to the control of any aristocratic clans."
After he finished speaking, Shuyu Pavilion fell silent.
Crown Prince Shi Ye has been confined to his quarters for two whole years, with no idea when he will be able to leave, let alone inherit the throne.
Furthermore, the Liang Dynasty relied heavily on powerful families, making it impossible for them to remain unaffected by their influence.
Thinking of this, Shi Ye calmed down. "Since you can provide this plan, you must know how to implement it, right?"
Shen Suqin shook his head. "Without the fall of the aristocratic families, the new policies will be difficult to implement."
Shi Ye's face was grim.
Emperor Jingkang himself was promoted by a powerful family. The family that promoted him was related to the Shen family by marriage, namely the Pei family. The current prime minister, Pei Ruhai, married the younger sister of Princess Changtai. The Pei family of Nanjian has a history of hundreds of years and has produced dozens of prime ministers. It is a family of prime ministers.
To anyone, the power of aristocratic families is an unsolvable problem.
"Your Highness, what do you think? Should we go ahead with this deal or not?" she asked.
Shi Ye composed himself, "She is, after all, my own aunt."
Shen Suqin hadn't expected the Crown Prince to be so difficult to talk to. "Does Your Highness think it's not worth it?"
"yes."
"What else would Your Highness like?"
"You come and help me until the new policy is implemented."
Shen Suqin frowned, crossing her arms. "This isn't worth it for me. Besides, if His Highness can't do it, how could I? His Highness has many capable people in his household; what am I?"
She didn't intend to get involved that deeply; she only wanted to use a piece of paper and a little silver to exchange for the Crown Prince's support.
"Before you, no one dared to mention making a move against the powerful families."
"Anyone can talk the talk, but if Your Highness really wants me to go, then you are sending me to my doom."
Shi Ye didn't hear him at all. "Sir, you will surely find a way out of this desperate situation." His eyes were burning. "In the past two years, the Great Liang has been declining day by day. The people have been displaced and starving. I have been unable to sleep at night. Sir, think about the tens of thousands of people in the world and think about their way out."
Shen Suqin remained silent for a long while before letting out a long sigh, "Give me some time."
Shi Ye nodded, "Okay."
After saying that, he added, "From today onwards, I will no longer interfere in the affairs of Jinyunfang. Also, Jin'an, you should increase the number of people protecting Miss Shen's safety and fully cooperate with her."
He's trying to use personal connections to get Shen Suqin on board.
Just as Shen Suqin was about to refuse, she heard a resolute voice beside her: "Yes, Your Highness."
The decision has been made, and the outcome is now set in stone.
Xiao Pingchuan saw Shen Suqin out.
Unexpectedly, Shen Suqin suddenly stopped and said coldly, "What gives you the right to make decisions for me?"
Xiao Pingchuan stopped with her, somewhat puzzled, and asked, "You arranged to meet His Highness for this, didn't you?"
Shen Suqin was furious, and her voice was a little loud, "No! I didn't want to get involved in politics. It's a bottomless pit that requires lives to fill. I'm not interested in it, and I don't want to get involved."
"But that's not what you said before."
At Cangshuang Tower, she spoke of the common people and the world. The same was true at Yinshan Residence; she vehemently criticized officials, and he assumed she wanted to do something for the people.
"General Xiao thinks too highly of me. I am just a businessman, and businessmen are all about making a huge profit. Given the current situation in Great Liang, what difference would it make if I were to be torn to pieces?"
Xiao Pingchuan was inexplicably angry and said coldly, "I am also involved."
"Fine, fine, you're involved too, so you want to drag me into it as well? What gives you the right?"
Xiao Pingchuan was stunned. On what grounds? On what grounds did he have to?
Of course, he believed it was because they were mutually in love.
But isn't that the case?
“I thought we could stand together through thick and thin,” he said with difficulty.
Shen Suqin was still angry and immediately retorted, "Where did I give you such a misconception?"
“You gave me 300,000 shi of millet and 100,000 shi of military pay every month, and you even risked your life to save me at the drill ground.”
Shen Suqin was furious. "Xiao Pingchuan, listen to me! I don't like you! The 300,000 shi of millet was to exchange for a divorce agreement, and the 100,000 shi of military pay per month was to put Shen Suqiu in a better position. As for going to the training ground to save you, that was because I pitied you."
Xiao Pingchuan listened attentively to every word. After he finished, he suddenly felt the whole world go silent, and then a deafening sound came from all directions.
"Change the divorce papers... put yourself on top... but, pitifully, you... don't like it..."
He felt that every word had sharp edges, and he swallowed it with difficulty, feeling as if his throat, lungs, and heart were being ripped to shreds.
No wonder she left in such a hurry last night, no wonder she asked him if he liked her? He happily thought she wanted to confirm his feelings and then return the same feelings.
This made him afraid to speak up easily, fearing that his shallow feelings were not good enough for her.
But it turns out she was afraid of falling in love with him.
At this moment, the pride and confidence he had accumulated over many years of fighting on the battlefield crumbled. He couldn't even get angry; he was filled with doubt, deep doubt.
I wonder if I'm so bad that she'd play me like this.
"Shen Suqin, I'm asking you seriously, is what you said true?" Xiao Pingchuan spoke very slowly.
Shen Suqin had not yet recovered from her anger, and upon hearing this, she only vaguely felt that it was best not to say anything.
Xiao Pingchuan took it as her consent and gritted his teeth, saying, "Second Miss Shen, Steward Shen, Madam Shen, you're so generous to exchange 300,000 shi of millet for a flimsy piece of paper for a divorce.
"Pity me? Risking your life to save me at the training ground, is that pity?" Xiao Pingchuan's eyes reddened, and he roared, "Shen Suqin, why did you go! I wish you hadn't gone!"
Xiao Pingchuan was like a trapped beast with its scales and claws removed, helplessly roaring and howling in place. Even so, he was still worried about not losing control and not scaring her.
Finally, he was panting heavily, forcing himself to calm down, and said in a hoarse voice, "No matter what, the Black Flag Army has benefited from Boss Shen. We really need those grains and silver. As for the divorce papers, after the marriage..." He paused, "...I will present them to you after the marriage."
“From now on,” Xiao Pingchuan paused again, “I’m sorry, Mr. Shen, please forget what I said last night.”
"As for His Highness, it was indeed my overstepping of authority." Xiao Pingchuan had calmed down considerably. "However, Boss Shen himself should be well aware of the weight of that piece of paper. His Highness will not let you off easily. I will try my best to mediate for you and prevent you from clashing with the aristocratic families."
“Miss Shen is a woman destined for great things,” Xiao Pingchuan said with a wry smile. “I was overthinking it. I’ll have Tuksu take you back. Please, Mr. Shen.”
After saying that, he turned around and quickly went back to Shuyu Pavilion.
Shen Suqin stood there, staring blankly at his departing figure. In the bleak autumn wind, fallen leaves swirled and landed at her feet with a crisp cracking sound.
Xiao Pingchuan returned to Shuyu Pavilion, where Shi Ye was still waiting for him.
Upon seeing him return, she asked repeatedly, "Did she really study under Master Ji?"
Xiao Pingchuan replied in a low voice, "Yes, you should know about the 'Eastern Liang Rhapsody'."
“I know that if this is truly the case, it would be a great blessing for the Great Liang.”
Xiao Pingchuan gave a soft "hmm".
“You two happen to be engaged right now. It’s true that Father Emperor has good taste,” Shi Ye laughed. “You wouldn’t be dissatisfied with such a wife, would you? We must keep her here.”
In his opinion, there was no one more outstanding than Shen Suqin in the entire Daliang, and Xiao Pingchuan himself was certainly very satisfied.
Xiao Pingchuan showed no joy on his face and did not respond to his words. He simply said, "She is a weak woman. There is no reason for her to let others rush to the front. Besides, with her knowledge and experience, she should stay behind the scenes and hide herself well. She must not be discovered by those with ulterior motives."
Shi Ye considered it carefully and felt that what he said made a lot of sense. "You're right. We shouldn't let anyone unrelated discover her value."
"Um."
"Then let's hold off for now. All future decrees and reforms will be issued in my name, and I will take credit for it for now."
"Your Highness is wise."
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