The account books didn't match up for no other reason than Xiao Liuzi was greedy, but not much.
"Your Excellency is not an outsider, and our family will not hide it from you. Jinling brothers from Jinyiwei and Dongchang, as well as several father-in-laws from the Supervisor of Ceremonies, must always give you some benefits." Xiao Liuzi said sarcastically, "If you want the horse to run away, don't do it. How about giving the horse some grass to eat? I hope you understand."
A flash of helplessness flashed in Li Qing's heart. In this era full of humanities and sophistication, how many people can keep themselves clean?
He didn't care about it, just mentioned:
"Small mistakes are understandable, but big mistakes are non-negotiable. You earn a lot here, and Shen Xin alone is enough for you. You must be content. There are many people who are jealous of your job, including the ceremonial supervisor. A capable person will be flattered even more."
"Yes, yes, the lesson is for our family to... correct itself in the future." Xiao Liuzi apologized.
Li Qing didn't go on the line again. This eunuch was okay. At least he wasn't greedy and he was honest enough with him.
After leaving the Weaving Bureau, Li Qing went to the Shen family.
When Shen Xin learned that he was coming, he did not dare to neglect him and personally welcomed him into the hospital. He was treated with good wine and food.
He is still grateful to Li Qing. Without Li Qing, he would not be where he is now.
"The common people are very happy that your Excellency can come today. You must not come back until you are drunk today!" Shen Xin laughed and said.
Li Qing clinked the glass with him, drank the wine in one gulp, and then smashed the glass on the table.
"when--!"
The dish trembled, and the corners of Shen Xin's eyes couldn't help but tremble as well, and he said humbly: "Sir, is this...?"
"I told you last time that you must be content in life, have you forgotten it?" Li Qing said in a deep voice.
Shen Xin's expression froze, and he smiled apologetically and said, "No matter what your Excellency said, ordinary people will not dare to forget it."
After a pause, "Common people pay taxes in full and never take advantage of the imperial court."
Li Qing sneered: "It seems that you are determined to persist in your obsession."
"What do you mean by this, sir? Common people have always abided by laws and regulations!" Shen Xin looked puzzled.
"You were promoted by me, so I want to give you a way to survive. Of course, if you don't want to, I won't force you." Li Qing said lightly, "Stop now, and I will keep you safe."
Shen Xin's face was ugly: "My lord, you promised me to become bigger and even get involved in Suzhou and Hangzhou before. Why are you dissatisfied when I do it?"
"I promised you," Li Qing did not deny: "If you rely on your true ability, then I have nothing to say, but you know how to become big."
"The previous methods are not on the table!" Shen Xin smiled bitterly: "Sir, you are also a profane person. You should know that it is difficult to achieve anything if you are upright. It is completely normal to use appropriate methods."
Li Qing sighed: "You are blinded by benefits, and at the same time, you overestimate yourself."
"The ordinary people don't dare." Shen Xin said, "As the saying goes, there are no eternal enemies, only eternal interests. The ordinary people don't dare to guarantee anything, but one thing can be guaranteed, they will definitely pay taxes in full."
In his view, to get rich, as long as you bring along officials with status and status, they will stand up for you. At the same time, you must pay taxes in full, bringing a large amount of tax revenue to the Ming Dynasty. That is hello, me, and everyone.
But he forgot that he was just a commoner.
He thought those officials were too simple and too good. At the same time, he also overestimated himself.
Is Shen Xin stupid? He must not be stupid, he is very smart.
However, intelligence does not mean rationality. Under the impact of money like a tide, he has completely sunk.
Li Qing knew that even ten oxen could not bring Shen Xin back unless he was killed.
For Li Qing, it is not easy to kill someone, but killing Shen Xin will greatly affect the prosperity of Jinling City.
Moreover, his previous layout will also be shattered.
The industrial chain is still not mature enough. Shen Xin cannot die now. Of course, Li Qing doesn't want him to die either. This person is useful, and his use is not small.
"Shen Xin, one day you will regret it, and by then, you will probably be doomed." Li Qing said seriously: "I can't persuade you now, but just remember, the human heart is not as good as a snake swallowing an elephant."
Shen Xin's fate can already be predetermined. In ten years, or even less than ten years, he will be drained.
However, by then the industrial chain would have been completed, and it would have little impact on the Ming Dynasty without him.
Moreover, the ecology of the Ming Dynasty will be better, and everything will grow after a whale falls!
But Shen Xin has made contributions after all. If possible, Li Qing didn't want him to end up with his family ruined, so he said:
"If one day you feel that a disaster is imminent, you can go to me. As long as I am not completely conscience-stricken and can protect you, I will protect your wealth and life."
"Uh... Thank you, sir." Shen Xin didn't agree, but he didn't dare to offend Li Qing.
He knew Li Qing's abilities, and he also knew that Li Qing was an extraordinary official.
Shen Xin quickly waved, and the housekeeper immediately brought up the prepared wooden box. He took it and opened it, smiling:
"It's not easy for an adult to come here. Shen doesn't know what the adult likes, so he can only give some common things. Whatever the adult likes, just buy some."
A thick stack of one thousand taels of banknotes, at least as much as 50,000 taels.
"It seems that you really make a lot of money!" Li Qing chuckled.
Shen Xin's face was stern: "They are all people who have paid taxes and have normal income."
"I'm kind-hearted, but no need." Li Qing waved his hand, "I've said enough, let's go."
After that, he walked away.
…
After leaving Shen's house, Li Qing visited the three girls again. When he returned home, it was already dark.
Zhu Qizhen said coquettishly: "I haven't eaten the food you cooked, but I have a temper. You should be careful."
"It's better to take care of yourself first."
"What do you mean?"
Li Qing didn't say anything, but he punched.
~
The next day.
Li Qing visited two old friends again.
On the third day, I went to see Lao Zhu.
The Ministry of Rites only thought that he was offering incense and worshiping ancestors on behalf of the emperor, and specially sent people to prepare it.
Looking at Lao Zhu's portrait, Li Qing sighed. Time passed so fast, so many years have passed in a flash!
After lighting the incense, he began to talk about the current situation of the Ming Dynasty. Li Qing rambled for a long time.
Lao Zhu was very cold and didn't say anything. Li Qing was the only one who said it.
Finally, Li Qing said softly: "It is very good, he... is also very good, they are all very good."
~
In the following days, Li Qing didn't go out much.
He stays at home boxing with his master and playing chess with Zhu Yunwen. Sometimes he gets bored and beats Zhu Qizhen to pass the boring time.
It's not that Li Qing is mean, but Zhu Qizhen is mean-mouthed.
…
Time flies by like a fleeting moment.
The leaves are turning yellow little by little, falling quietly inadvertently, and the branches are bare and thin.
On the street, the people put on more clothes and looked a lot bloated. Not long after the beginning of winter, when they talked early in the morning, they began to breathe white.
"It seems to be a little colder in Jinling this year." Li Qing whispered to himself, frowning.
"Sir, why don't you order some of the big meat buns that are just out of the oven?" the little boss promoted.
Li Qing came back to his senses and saw that the meat buns were really satisfying, and asked, "How much does one cost?"
"The big ones cost five cents, and the extra-large ones cost ten cents." The little boss said in a philistine way.
The super big meat buns in his mouth are similar to the big meat buns in the capital.
Prices in Jinling are quite expensive, even more expensive than those in the capital. Of course, there are also items for common people, such as vegetable buns, which can be bought for three cents.
"Bring me some meat buns."
"There are no small meat buns." The little boss said with a smile, "There are only big meat buns and extra-large meat buns."
Seeing that Li Qing was wearing silk, he didn't sell vegetable buns.
"Then have some of these smaller meat buns."
"This is a big meat bun." the little boss corrected.
"...Come on twenty."
After paying the money, Li Qing held the oil paper bag in one hand and gnawed the meat buns in the other, muttering: "It's so expensive, profiteer."
But it still tasted pretty good, and before it even got home, Li Qing was already showing off half of it.
Looking at the half bag of buns, Li Qing just stuffed them all into his stomach without stopping.
Patting his belly, Li Qing thought to himself: When he got home, he said he was just doing his morning jog and forgot to buy anything.
Anyway, the servants at home make breakfast every day, and no one is hungry.
"Hiccup~ It's really good." Li Qing chuckled, "It feels good to eat alone."
…
