After leaving the Chinese Hall, it was snowing heavily in the sky, and goose-feather-like snowflakes were flying and covering the sky. When they reached the Guangyang Gate (door), Yang Ji's black cloak was already covered with snowflakes.
Yang Ji walked west along Guangyangmen Street and went to Anfumen to meet his personal guards (at the intersection of Miyagi and Imperial City). He had just walked a few dozen steps when he heard someone shouting from behind: "Vajra slave, stay, stay!" "
Yang Ji looked back and saw Yang Xiong, a clan brother who was still too old for his grandfather, running out of Guangyang Gate. He walked up to Yang Ji with vigorous steps and complained: "Where are you going? Why are you running like this?" Fast? My old bones are almost falling apart."
Yang Ji cupped his hands and said with a smile: "I am the chief inspector of the martial arts examination and the examiner of the second list. Apart from going to the military camp, where else can I go, Brother Wei Hui?"
Yang Xiong held Yang Ji's shoulders and walked forward, laughing and saying: "Let's go, let me go and see with you."
Yang Ji asked: "Brother Weihui, are you okay?"
Yang Xiong said cheerfully: "Hey, I'm the inflated Sikong now, what can happen? I have nothing to do at home, so I might as well go to the military camp with you to reminisce about the military career that is gone forever."
"That's fine, my carriage is right outside Anfu Gate." Yang Ji, an old clan brother, has outstanding merits, is magnanimous and tolerant towards others, and is not arrogant or complacent.
Yang Xiong probably wanted to avoid suspicion. Whenever the court didn't need him, he would stay at home and think hard about what tricks he could use to defile himself. Not long ago, he was still a powerful Yongzhou shepherd, but after Yang Liang was put down, he immediately resigned due to old age and frailty.
It is precisely because he is so knowledgeable and knowledgeable that Yang Jian and Yang Guang and his son trust him extremely. And the emperor's trust gave him the capital to rise to the top at any time.
When the two of them left Anfu Gate, they saw the royal guards in cloaks leading their horses and standing in the wind and snow.
"See you, Your Majesty." When they saw Yang Ji coming, they all clasped their fists and saluted, then moved to the left and right, revealing Yang Ji's carriage.
The carriages on the roadside are not flashy. These long-distance carriages are all about durability, spaciousness and comfort, but don't care much about appearance. However, looking at the two horses pulling the cart, they are both extremely handsome.
The car door opened, and a tall, graceful beauty with fair complexion walked out.
Yang Xiong was stunned when he saw this, and said to Yang Ji with a smile: "Vajra slave, are you hiding your beauty in a luxury car?"
Yang Ji was speechless: "Don't talk nonsense, this is your sister-in-law."
"Your concubine Liu Rumei?" Yang Xiong suddenly realized.
Yang Ji nodded and said, "It's her."
"He is also a blessed man." Yang Xiong said with emotion. Although he didn't know Liu Rumei, he had heard that Yang Guang gave Yang Ji a concubine with a third-grade imperial concubine. If it hadn't been for this, Liu Rumei, who was of low birth, would have been It is difficult to become a concubine of King Wei and a member of the Yang family.
Yang Ji smiled slightly: "Those who follow me are all blessed."
"That's true. Xiao'er Shidao is also a blessed person." Yang Ji was originally joking, but Yang Xiong took it seriously. He twirled his beard and said with a smile: "That kid has a free-spirited temper. Since I followed you, , I have become calm and measured, and my experience and knowledge also impressed me.”
Yang Ji pretended to say: "Yang Shidao's talent and learning make people speechless and impossible to criticize, but he lacks the ability and experience to do practical things. Only by doing more can you apply what you have learned and master it. This is the so-called 'Jade is not good'." If the sculpture cannot be made into a tool, a person will not know the meaning without learning,' don't you think?"
"Definitely, it is necessary!" Yang Xiong deeply agreed: "Your Three Character Classic says it well, especially the sentence 'If you don't teach, it's the father's fault; if you don't teach strictly, it's the teacher's fault'. You are well versed in the way to teach your children. It's just that he is far away in Liangzhou, and I can't control him myself. From now on, as my uncle, you will perform the responsibilities of a father on my behalf and just order him to death. If he dares to disobey, I will beat him wherever he deserves. Just scold him, just give him some time to speak, don't be polite to me."
Yang Ji smiled brightly, nodded suddenly and said, "Definitely."
A few words between the old man and the young man sealed Yang Shidao's fate.
When Liu Rumei saw the two of them finished speaking, she stepped forward quickly and saluted, "Young Master."
"Well!" Yang Ji pointed at Yang Xiong and introduced Liu Rumei: "This is Yang Xiong, the clan brother Ande Wang, and Yang Shidao is his youngest son."
Liu Rumei hesitated for a moment, then saluted and said, "I've met my brother."
"My sister-in-law is exempt from the gift." Yang Xiong happily took off the jade pendant from his waist, handed it to Liu Rumei, and said, "It's just a small thought, I hope my sister-in-law will accept it."
Liu Rumei glanced at Yang Ji, saw him smiling and nodding, and quickly took it with both hands, thanking: "Thank you, brother!"
Yang Xiong smiled and said: "One family does not speak the language of the other family."
"Let's get in the car and talk." Yang Ji knew in his heart that Yang Xiong would not go to the Three Treasures Hall for anything. If he chased him so fiercely, he must have something to discuss, so he said to Liu Rumei, "Rumei, you sit in the back."
"Here!" Liu Rumei responded.
The two brothers boarded the carriage together, and Yang Xiong discovered that the carriage of Yang Ji's carriage was indeed not small. It looked ordinary from the outside, but the furnishings inside were elegant and refreshing. In this spacious and tall carriage, even standing There is no problem walking. The seats are comfortable for both sitting and lying down. No matter how far you go, you don’t feel tired.
The four walls are hung with brocades painted with plums, orchids, bamboos and chrysanthemums in an elegant style. Once the hanging panels of the side compartment are laid flat, there is a table and dining table. There are mezzanines on both sides of the compartment. On one side are many candied fruits, snacks and dried fruits. Fine wine. On one side is a shallow flat wardrobe.
Looking at the gorgeous and comfortable vehicle, such a low-key and gorgeous style, and then thinking about his shabby car decorated with pearls and jade, Yang Xiong couldn't help but feel a sense of shame.
Yang Ji sat on the seat. After giving instructions to the outside, the car drove towards the west door and drove far away. He pressed on the edge of the seat and a drawer slid out silently. There were six silver cups arranged in a plum blossom shape. There are several long-necked flagons made of silver.
"Vajra slave, ordinary people who have huge wealth want to have delicacies and delicacies, and beautiful wives and concubines; scholars are elegant, and they pay attention to the style of eating with bells, cauldrons, hairpins, and tassels; but your lifestyle is low-key and full of luxury. Look, It seems ordinary, but in fact, everything is elegant and interesting. This is truly unique and independent. If nothing else, your car alone is magical and unique."
Yang Xiong's words were truly inspired.
Among the nobles, everyone knew that Yang Ji had a mother with strong money-making ability, and that his own money-making ability was even more exaggerated. However, their taste, just like their conduct in life, was always unique and different. It seems ordinary and simple, but when other rich people play, they are always on a different level than them!
"Everyone has different preferences, temperaments, and tastes and styles. Isn't it strange?" Yang Ji did not continue the topic, but took out the jug, wine glass, and preserved fruit, and poured two glasses of wine for the two of them. Immediately, a fragrant aroma of wine wafted out, refreshing people's spirits and making them salivate: "I came out early today, so I didn't burn the fireplace under the car. Let's drink two glasses to keep out the cold."
Yang Xiong picked up the silver cup, took a sip gently, and tasted it in his throat. It was mellow, sweet and refreshing, with a long aftertaste.
"Good wine!" Yang Xiong praised and said with a smile: "This kind of mellow but not strong wine is quite suitable for health preservation. It can satisfy the craving for guests without hurting the spleen and stomach. It is most suitable for my age. People drank it.”
He tasted it and said, "It looks like a burnt knife, but it has the fragrance of bamboo."
"This is bamboo wine." Yang Ji said: "Dig a hole in the living big bamboo, then pour the burning knife into it, seal it for a period of time, then cut the bamboo down, and the bamboo wine will come out. This kind of wine is soaked in the bamboo As time goes by, the intensity of burning the knife will be lost, but the sweet taste of bamboo will be gained. As for whether it has health-preserving effects, I don't know."
"You really know how to enjoy yourself. Let me give it a try when I get home." Yang Xiong is not short of money, but what is bad is taste.
The nobles of the Sui Dynasty liked to be prosperous and lively. Their food was all big fish and meat, their clothes were not afraid of bright reds and purples, and their utensils were all gold and silver decorated with pearls and jade. Yang Xiong was certainly no exception. In the past, when everyone was like this, he didn't think much of it, but compared with Yang Ji's small life, he felt that he was simply vulgar!
Thinking of the "unbearable vulgarity", Yang Xiong got back to the topic and talked about the purpose of the "unbearable vulgarity" trip. He said with a smile: "Looking at the saint's intention, he decided to use the section contracting method to open the canal. How about we brothers? Let's work together and protect him for hundreds of miles?"
Yang Xiong is also a person who is deeply moved by the price difference of segmented contracting. I believe Su Wei, Pei Ju, Li Ziquan and others are also the same. It's just that he has no people in this field and no experience in construction, so he plans to find Yang Ji, the 'initiator', to cooperate. Moreover, Yang Ji has the experience and team to build Zhangye City; if Yang Ji is willing to do it, then he will Invest money and reap dividends.
Yang Ji had already guessed his purpose. When he saw him speaking out at this time, he smiled and said, "You are not short of money. What are you doing with the difference?"
Yang Xiong said: "The more money, the better. Who would have too much? Besides, I have seven sons, so I have to earn more for them, right?"
Yang Ji smiled: "Your eldest son is Yang Gongren and your youngest son is Yang Shidao. Your other five sons have such strong brothers. Are you afraid that they will have no money in the future?"
Yang Xiong was stunned for a moment and asked, "Are you so optimistic about Boss and Xiao Qi?"
Yang Ji drank the wine in one gulp and said jealously: "Aren't you talking nonsense? You are really good at giving birth to sons. These two are both talented prime ministers."
Yang Xiong was extremely happy after hearing this, but he said disdainfully: "I can't tell at all."
Then he said: "Vajra slave, the canal can obviously make money. I don't want to miss such a good opportunity. Moreover, our brothers must be the first to know the direction of the canal. When the time comes, we will contract the ancient canal that only needs to be dredged. The old way, this is simple, saves effort, saves money and makes money. What do you think?"
Yang Ji shook his head: "This money is too hot to handle, so I can't take it."
"But why?" Yang Xiong said puzzledly: "Even if the sage sends Gao Jiong as the chief inspector, as long as we ensure the quality of the project, there is nothing to be afraid of."
"Progress, project progress is a scary thing." Yang Ji said calmly: "After the canal was contracted to the private sector, local officials mobilized local people according to the requirements of the contractors in each section, but working for the people is a voluntary act, so every day The number of people working on the construction site is definitely not as large as the one forced by the imperial court, so the progress of the project will be delayed."
Yang Ji stared at Yang Xiong and continued: "In order to complete the project as scheduled, the contractor will get the money. There are only two options: one is to increase the salary to attract more people to work, and the other is to urgently mobilize family slaves and tenants; the former causes costs The latter will affect the crop harvest. If the saint exerts further pressure, the cost to the people will be higher; while the slaves and tenants may have to work day and night, and finally die of exhaustion on the construction site. If the slave tenants suffer heavy casualties, the contractor who is riding a tiger will be unable to get off. Perhaps it is just a matter of squeezing the civilian husband. Once the civilian husband dies, the court will have great justice and people's support, and it will not be too much to deal with these contractors. At that time, not to mention the project money and deposit, but also the family behind them. Notorious.”
When Yang Xiong heard this, he couldn't help but gasped: "Those who have the strength and financial resources to be contractors are naturally the representatives promoted by the major families, and in terms of power, the gentry will definitely not be able to compete with the wealthy families of Guanlong and Guanlong. , which means that at least 90% of the contractors on each section of the canal are Guanlong nobles."
Having said this, Yang Xiong stared at Yang Ji closely and asked: "Vajra slave, could the saint take the opportunity to deal with the Guanlong nobles? Or is it that the segmented contracting plan itself is to deal with the Guanlong nobles?"
Yang Xiong was one of the core figures who founded the Sui Dynasty by Yang Jian. His understanding of the Guanlong nobles was far beyond Yang Ji's. He knew that the Guanlong nobles could overthrow the Western Wei Dynasty and Yu Wenhu for their own benefit, and they could also support Yang Jian to kill the Northern Zhou Dynasty that they had established together for their own benefit. Then tomorrow they could establish someone else for their own benefit and kill the Sui Dynasty.
The target of the Guanlong nobles' struggle was not the Yuan family, the Yuwen family, and the Yang family, but the imperial power that restricted their promotion and wealth and their excessive expansion. As long as this group lasts, no matter how wise the emperor is or if he changes his surname, they will continue to fight. As for the national justice, the safety of the country, and the common people, they are all worth mentioning in their eyes!
The Guanlong nobles, an interest group that controlled most of the military power in the Sui Dynasty, had an inherently incompatible relationship with the imperial power. If Yang Ji said that the "segmented contracting plan" was sugar-coated poison for the Guanlong nobles, Yang Xiong would definitely believe it.
"How do I know?" Yang Ji said with a bitter smile.
Yang Xiong shook his head: "I don't believe it."
"I really didn't think so much!" Seeing Yang Xiong staring at him, Yang Ji had no choice but to explain: "The saint's attitude is that the canal must be built, and it must be built in the near future. I'm worried that he will build it." The canal's merits are eternal, but its disadvantages are contemporary, so they came up with the method of segmented contracting. The purpose is to transform the contradiction between the court and the people into the conflict between the contractor and the people. If a human life is caused, then those who bear historical charges will be punished. Naturally, it is the contractor, and the saint and the court only need to severely punish the contractor who exploited the people to death, and they will not only gain the canal, but also gain popularity. However, after our deduction, I think it is really possible for the saint to deal with the contract launched by the Guanlong nobles. Shang, although this will not harm the foundation of the Guanlong nobles, at least it can use the progress of the project to kill a large number of domestic slaves and soldiers."
Yang Ji sighed, and then said: "But to be honest, I don't want the saint to be like this."
Yang Xiong pondered for a while and said, "Is it because of the contract system?"
"Exactly!" Yang Ji nodded and said: "With the contracting system of government-business cooperation, without the corrupt officials in the middle, the people will have more freedom, get more, and have contractors to shoulder the bad reputation. It can be said that it kills multiple birds with one stone. method. But if it is destroyed just after you try it, then the imperial court has broken its trust in the 'business'. Who will dare to cooperate with the imperial court in the future?"
Yang Xiong nodded silently and sighed: "That's true."
Yang Ji added a glass of wine for him and asked with a smile, "Do you still want to be a contractor and earn the difference in price?"
Yang Xiong grabbed a handful of raisins and stuffed them into his mouth, and said vaguely: "Where is this money? It's obviously sugar-coated poison. Only a fool can do it. You can't be a canal contractor, but we can do other things."
Yang Jiqi asked: "What are you doing?"
"Sailors and helmsmen, their favorite things are women and gambling." Yang Xiong swallowed the raisins in his mouth and said: "We identified the key points of the canal, spent money to buy a large area of land, and built it into a warehouse and restaurant. It is a commercial town that integrates housing, prostitution, and gambling. Stores and houses in bad locations, and unscrupulous industries are sold to others, and you send your own people to run the warehousing, food, and accommodation."
"That's okay!" Yang Ji nodded and said, "But I'm a shepherd in Liangzhou, and my mother is in Luoyang, so I just invest the money. As for how to do it, it's up to you."
Yang Ji needed a few firm allies in the court. He had previously formed an alliance with Pei Ju, but that cunning and profit-seeking old man had subconsciously alienated him since he returned from pacifying Yang Liang; and Yang Xiong and he were from the royal family, They all wish the Sui Dynasty well and have more common interests. If they can take this opportunity to form an inseparable ally, they can also indirectly attract Yang Da (Yang Xiong's younger brother) who is Na Yan, so even if he loses money, Yang Ji will Done.
"No problem! I'll take care of this matter." In fact, Yang Xiong also wanted to take this opportunity to get closer to Yang Ji.
"Done!" Yang Ji raised his glass.
Yang Xiong smiled knowingly: "It's done!"
After reaching a cooperation agreement and drinking a glass of wine, Yang Xiong felt that the relationship between the two had become much closer. He hesitated and asked: "Vajra slave, I heard a rumor from the government and the public that the saint wants to deal with Guan Long with all his strength. Noble, is this true?"
Not long after Yang Guang ascended the throne, his political direction gave people a very vague feeling. Although he cleared a large number of officials from the Guanlong aristocracy during Yang Liang's rebellion, these officials were either thieves or were involved in Yang Liang's rebellion. He didn't resist, so even if Yang Guang punished him severely, Yang Xiong couldn't tell whether Yang Guang punished him according to the law, out of the need to move the capital, or specifically targeting the Guanlong nobles.
And Yang Ji is Yang Guang's confidant, and his words can provide him with the best basis. If it's the first two, that's okay; if it's the latter, then he has to consider his relationship with the Guanlong nobles.
Yang Ji shook his head: "Dealing with the Guanlong nobles is not a rumor at all, but the late emperor's established national policy. After the late emperor's suppression, they have turned against the imperial power and the royal family. Even if the saint wants to reconcile with them, they will not be grateful. So the saint’s next focus is to deal with the Guanlong nobles. And you are too close to the Guanlong nobles, so you have to be careful in the future.”
Yang Xiong nodded silently. The Guanlong nobles and the imperial power were incompatible existences. Since Yang Ji said so, this rumor must be true.
He suddenly sighed and said: "The court has always been a treacherous place, with all the major forces involved in it, all fighting overtly and covertly for their own interests. Those officials from poor families are easy to talk about, but after all, they have shallow background and low status, so they can't turn it over. What a fuss, but the aristocratic families including the Guanlong nobles...are really our hidden danger in the Great Sui Dynasty. These guys only have their own interests in mind, and how can they ever have the interests of the Great Sui Dynasty? As long as their family's wealth and power can be further improved, It doesn’t matter whether the emperor’s surname is Yang or Yuwen. It’s just that the officials in the court are either sons of aristocratic families or people supported by aristocratic families. If the saint goes into full-scale war with the Guanlong nobles, the pressure will be considerable!"
Yang Ji was silent for a while and said: "The Sui Dynasty was built by the late emperor into an unprecedentedly powerful dynasty. I sincerely love this rich and powerful empire. If a saint uses the people's hearts as a strong shield and armor and the law as a sharp blade, he can weaken it step by step. A noble family."
Yang Xiong was silent for a moment. If Yang Guang cherished the power of the people and could follow the late emperor's national policy calmly, then he would also be willing to serve as Yang Guang's vanguard. Even if this old man died in the struggle, he would have no regrets. But Yang Guang ascended the throne. Since then, the eagerness for quick success and quick success has really worried him.
The car slowly stopped in the silence between the two, and Zhu Can's voice came: "Your Majesty, the military camp is approaching!"
"Okay, I'll get off the car after changing my armor." Yang Ji replied.
