"Ruling a big country is like cooking a small fish. Ji Xiaolan, can you explain to me what this means?”
"Replying to the emperor, according to this subject's understanding, governing a large country is like cooking a small fry. Grasping a few major matters and managing a few ministers is enough. Don't be like Zhuge Liang, doing everything yourself. It's very tiring, and the effect won't be good.”
Qianlong said,"I didn't call you here today to discuss state affairs. You're my close minister, a scholar. I'll tell you the truth. None of them are reliable. I don't know why, how could his grandmother fall in love with a Han woman, and a married woman at that? She actually doesn't like me and keeps me a thousand miles away. I'm in pain. Love can't stay together. I've never been so emotional and moved by true feelings. I'm still unrequited. She's Han, and she has a child and a husband. I fell in love at first sight. Couldn't the Emperor be like an ordinary person, free to fall in love and pursue the woman he liked? What do you think I should do?"
"This is not easy."
"You don't have any ideas? He was known as the number one romantic scholar in Jiangnan, but he was also helpless when it came to love problems?”
"Emperor, I want to clarify one thing. I am not a Casanova. In front of the emperor, I am ashamed to be called a scholar. I feel that since ancient times, the issue of love has been very complicated. Otherwise, why would people say that it is difficult for an upright official to resolve family matters? According to my thoughts, there are two ways.”
"Tell me."
"First, forget her. There are plenty of fish in the sea. There were good women everywhere. He would find one that was easy to get, or one that was willing to sacrifice herself.”
"But I can't forget her. Her shadow is everywhere in my eyes. I imagine her existence everywhere. I can't do anything recently. And the second?"
"Secondly, you are the emperor and have a special status. Use your power, privileges, and methods. Which woman won't surrender? If she still refused to come to her senses, she would be ungrateful and bear the consequences. Does she know that you like her?"
"I think so. Hey, why bother? God, unrequited love. It's so uncomfortable. I'm not sure if she likes me or not.”
"Does he know your identity?"
"I don't know at the moment, and I don't want to tell her that I'm the emperor. Love can't be forced, and a forced melon isn't sweet. I pursue true love like commoners, true love without any additional conditions. Love shouldn't have any conditions."
"But, emperor, love has conditions. This woman was a little troublesome. Firstly, she was a Han Chinese. Secondly, she was married with a child and a husband.”
"Yes, why else would I call you here? I've been having insomnia for the past few days. I miss her too much. I just want to tell her what's on my mind. I slept like a pancake and my thoughts surged. I couldn't help but write another poem. Take a look.
Ji Xiaolan respectfully took it to read Qianlong's unrequited love poem.
your voice
I really want to hear your voice
Around thousands of mountains and rivers
mortal beings
I can recognize your voice
I really want to listen
Watching you talk
whatever you say
As long as it's your voice
Your voice is clear spring
To nourish my thirsty heart
Your voice is wings
I can't fly without you
I really want to hear your voice
when
Can make me thirsty enough to drink
I really want to hear your voice
When Ji Xiaolan saw this, she sighed in her heart. A Qing Dynasty emperor fell in love with a Han woman. It seemed that he was not acting on a whim or playing around. He was serious. This was his grandmother's love at first sight. It was a little troublesome. I really want to know who this woman is. With such great charm, she could make the all-powerful emperor of the Qing Dynasty fall head over heels for her and lose sleep at night?
Qianlong looked at Ji Xiaolan in a daze and asked thoughtfully,"What do you think people live for? For power? For power? For status and money? Is money more important or feelings more important?"
"It's not easy for me to answer. This matter is very complicated and is a philosophical proposition.”
Qianlong said sadly," Everything is fleeting clouds. I can't take anything with me. Only true feelings are priceless and worth pursuing and fighting for. Everything else is just worldly possessions. I really want to leave the world with the woman I like. Men plowing and women weaving, picking chrysanthemums under the eastern fence, leisurely seeing Nanshan." Tell me, can I do it? I want to do that."
"You only like that woman?"
"Yes, I don't want anything, like the king of India who cultivated to become a Buddha. I don't have that kind of situation now. I only want to live with this woman. She loves me, sincerely loves me, cares about me, and likes me. I don't want anything as long as she has feelings for me.”
"Reporting to the emperor, if this happened to someone else, this small one can do it. Just be a matchmaker, matchmaker, matchmaker. With my silver tongue, even a heart of stone will be moved. However, this matter has happened to you, the emperor.”
Qianlong asked in confusion,"How is it difficult?" Just treat me as a commoner. Treat me as an ordinary commoner. When jade becomes jade, I will reward you greatly. With your intelligence, your silver tongue, and your reputation as a great scholar, this matter is as easy as flipping your hand. What do you think we should do?”
"This matter is simple, but also very difficult," said Ji Xiaolan.”
"How difficult?"
"The ancients said that since ancient times, beautiful women are afraid of pestering their husbands. She is the tea, you are the water, soak her, she is the grain, you are the mill, grind her; She was the back of the chair and you were the back. As long as you have the time, energy, and money, you're not afraid that women won't take the bait. No, I'm not using the right words. Slap your mouth. You're not afraid that women won't be soft-hearted. However, you're the emperor of the Qing Dynasty. You have many national affairs to deal with. You can't leave the palace for a long time to pester that woman.”
"Why can't I leave? I've visited many times in disguise. I'll let the ministers in charge handle the matters at home. I can't make myself so tired. My father, Emperor Yongzheng, is too tired and has tied himself down. He hasn't enjoyed a lot of life. He's been busy all his life and has meetings and reports all day. What's the meaning of this? "A truly good official shouldn't be so personally involved in everything and tire himself out. Besides, transportation is very convenient. At that time, Qin Shihuang built a road that extended in all directions. We have a 500-mile express relay station. If there's anything, we can report it in time. At this time, there's no war at the border, so no one dares to bully our Qing Dynasty. Those small countries bow their heads and pay tribute on time. We go out and observe the people's feelings. We get first-hand grassroots information, which is the best reference when formulating policies. We can also punish corruption." What's wrong with that?"
"Emperor, are you going to walk around or just go to Yuhang?”
"Yuhang. Go and make arrangements. Bring only a few people and go on a private visit.”
"Yes."
"We won't go to the Hangzhou government. We'll go directly to Yuhang. The Hangzhou magistrate knows me. If word gets out, it will affect our work.”Qianlong said to Ji Xiaolan.
"I will listen to the emperor."
"Don't call me emperor, call me sixth brother outside.”
"Alright."
"I like to tour the mountains and play with water, recite poems, and cultivate my temperament. I like the humid climate in Jiangnan, especially in Suzhou and Hangzhou. No wonder Hangzhou has the Three Autumn Osmanthus Fruit and the Ten Miles Lotus Flower to attract the Mongolians. Genghis Khan destroyed the Song Dynasty. People say that there is heaven above and Suzhou and Hangzhou below. There are many beautiful women in Suzhou and Hangzhou, but why haven't I taken a fancy to any of them? Why did he fall for Murong Wanhua?”
"This is fate. As the commoners say, it's fate.”
"Stay here first, then visit the county magistrate of Yuhang.”
The next morning, Qianlong and Ji Xiaolan arrived at Yuhang County Government.
The county magistrate's name was Bai Dayao.
Bai Dayao saw two northerners coming to his door. They said that a silk merchant and a tea merchant wanted to cooperate with him. They wanted to earn money and cooperate to do business. They could make a fortune by colluding with officials and merchants.
He was very happy.
Bai Dayao didn't know Qianlong. He was a seventh-grade official and usually didn't see the emperor. At that time, he didn't have the chance to use television, mobile phone, WeChat, and other communication tools.
Qianlong and Ji Xiaolan sat on the stone drum under Bai Dayao's hands. Bai Dayao said loudly,""Grand Master told me that you want to do tea business?”
"Yes, we also accept ducks."
"Why are you collecting ducks?"
"Make Peking Duck."
Bai Dayao asked unhappily,"What kind of business are you in?”
"We'll do whatever business is good," said Ji Xiaolan. We will do whatever money comes quickly. As businessmen, we have to be flexible.”
Bai Dayao took a sip of tea and said slowly,""A few days ago, a silk merchant from the capital came to our place and fought with the people of the Red Flower Association. I heard that he was not a silk merchant but the current emperor. The Red Flower Association wanted to overthrow the Qing Dynasty and restore the Ming Dynasty. Unfortunately, I didn't see this scene. I was late and heard that the fight was very enjoyable. The magistrate secretly came to protect the emperor. I feel that the emperor won't be coming. He must have been frightened.”
"What else have you heard?"
"It seems like it's for a woman. I don't understand, why would the emperor like a married woman? And her husband, unbelievable and childish.”
"Isn't her husband working in your yamen?”
"Yes, he used to run errands and write documents. A few days ago, he suddenly left without saying goodbye and disappeared. Later, I heard that he brought his wife to the capital to look for the current emperor.”
Qianlong was very surprised and asked in confusion,"Why are you looking for the emperor?"
Bai Dayao said,"Wei Zhishu, that brat, is too ambitious and too extravagant. He went to the emperor to ask for an official position." He was like an ant trying to shake a tree, overestimating his own abilities. A commoner who could only recognize a few words was already unappreciated. He always thought that our yamen temple was small. He often said that he was a capable minister of peace and a treacherous hero of chaos. He was just like Cao Cao during the Three Kingdoms period. It was just that he was born at the wrong time and no one appreciated him.”
"No wonder their door is closed and there's no trace of them. Where were they now?”
"I don't know. His parents don't even know. I say, why are you two businessmen asking about this? Why? Instead of talking about tea leaves, you want to talk about romance?"
"Which man doesn't like to have affairs? Wasn't that Murong Wanhua very beautiful?”
"In my eyes, she's just average, very average. She's just tall, thin, skinny, and has a small butt. She's very aggressive and has a visual impact. However, I'm used to seeing her, so I don't feel that she's special. I don't know, I just don't understand, why would the emperor like such a woman? There were 3,000 beauties in his harem. What kind of woman could he not have? Elegant temperament, noble background, clean, fair skin…"
Ji Xiaolan saw that Qianlong was unhappy and said,"Stop, let's not talk about this anymore. Let's talk about tea leaves. Also, you also have a chance to advance. I know people in the palace.”
"Really?"
"Of course."
Bai Dayao sighed and said," Nowadays, there are people in the imperial court who like to be officials. I am a poor boy who has to work hard on my own. I am not corrupt, nor do I plunder the people's wealth. I am conscientious and meticulous in my revolutionary work. The people here are all famous, but what is the use? I've been working here for 20 years. The few classmates who came out with me were just sucking up to me and doing face work. Now, they've been promoted to prefects or officials of the capital. For example, the Hangzhou prefect who's in charge of me now used to be my subordinate. He knows how to study the intentions of the leaders, their likes and dislikes, and flatter them. It makes people feel insulted and disgusted. However, he's promoted very quickly. He changes places in two or three years. My wife mocked me for being incompetent, but I had a clear conscience. They were so proud of themselves that they said one thing and did another behind my back. I sighed that the world was declining, but I was powerless. Words of a lowly person are light. If I had the chance, I really wanted to go to the capital and report to the emperor. I wanted to talk about the pros and cons, govern corrupt officials, and punish corruption. Otherwise, the Qing Dynasty wouldn't have continued to prosper and the country wouldn't have been able to last forever.”
Qianlong spent a high price to rent Murong Wanhua's house.
This was the place where the woman he had been longing for and adored lived and worked. Qianlong looked and felt very intimate and excited. How good it would be if she was here. She could talk to him and do things like a shadow.
Gui Fumei and her husband traveled back to the tribe to treat their throats.
Ji Xiaolan looked for Wei Zhishu and Murong Wanhua's son. The child spoke the truth, and he wanted to get some information about Murong Wanhua from the child.
"Wolfberry, why didn't you go to Beijing with your mother?”
"My dad won't let me go."
"You listen to him?"
"What if you don't listen? I'm afraid of him. He gets drunk and hits me whenever he drinks.”
"He actually hit you?"
" He even hit my mom. I hate him."
"How do I hit your mom?"
"My mom didn't want to go to the capital with him, so he stabbed my mom's butt and teats with needles. I saw it all. My mom was in so much pain that she was screaming and crying, but he just wouldn't let go.”
Qianlong was shocked." He stabbed your mother with a needle?" he asked.”
"Yes, my grandmother didn't want me to tell anyone. This old woman is too ruthless. She doesn't teach her son a lesson and doesn't care about my mother. My mother is covered in blood. It must be very painful. I miss my mother.”Da Gangzi started crying.
Ji Xiaolan said to Qianlong,"We have to think of a way. We can't wait like this."”
"Do you have any good ideas?"
"Use your strength."
"Unless it's absolutely necessary, I don't want to expose my identity. Otherwise, she won't agree to my divorce.”
"Emperor, as long as you agree, I will do the rest.”
"I wish I could immediately grow wings and fly to Murong Wanhua's side, but I am the Emperor, I have to follow the rules. There are too many restrictions, too many rules, and I am not as free as an ordinary person. Alright then, impatient people cannot drink hot sticky porridge, so take it slow.”
"I'll do it now."
"Alright, there's only one thing. Don't expose my identity. Just let her feel that I'm looking for her on purpose. I haven't forgotten her and I really like her.”
"I understand. I'll do it now. Are we going back to the capital now?"
Qianlong said,"You can arrange this matter and let Brother Huang Magua do it in detail. We'll go and meet this seventh grade Sesame Official."”
"Test him?"
" Yes. If all the grassroots officials of the Qing Dynasty were like Bai Dayao, fulfilling their duties and not plundering the people's wealth or engaging in malpractices, I would really be at ease. Even if the country would not be stable forever, at least it would not capsize in the gutter. Water can carry a boat, but it can also capsize it. The people's hearts are very important.”
The two of them saw Bai Dayao.
Qianlong said," I want to do a tea business with you. It's a big deal. You have to mobilize the local people to buy a large amount of tea leaves. I can give you a deposit first, but no matter what kind of tea leaves you buy, you have to hire a few people to pack them and forge them. You have to find a place to make packaging boxes.”
"Fake?" Bai Dayao was stunned.
"Yes, businessmen are all very cunning. Otherwise, how could they make so much money? "We'll use a small amount of money to buy cheap local tea leaves. After packaging them, we'll ship them to the capital to sell. You're only responsible for purchasing and packaging them. You don't have to worry about anything else. We have our own sales channels. We're a profit chain. I can pay you a deposit first."
"Are all the big businessmen in Beijing doing this?" Bai Dayao asked in confusion.”
"Not everyone is doing this. There are also many who are doing this. Are you in? This was a big business deal. You can become rich overnight. This is an opportunity.”
"How many tea leaves do you want?"
Qianlong said,"I want as much as you have." Do you need to think about it?"
"I need to think about it. I've never done such a scam before. " I can't bear it. It doesn't match my political ideals. Time changes people. Society is really a big dye vat. You can't stay the same. If you don't change, others will change and leave you behind.”
"Are you still hesitating?" Qianlong asked tentatively.”
"Yes, I've never done anything against my conscience before.”
"That's why you're slow to promote and don't have money. It's just that the people have a good reputation. Tell me, what's the use of having a good reputation? There were no benefits at all. His wife and children suffered along with him. Life was short. If he did not enjoy himself, he would be letting himself down. If he did not use his power, it would be useless after it expired.”
"I can't do that." Bai Dayao suddenly said firmly and decisively.
"Why?"
"I don't feel comfortable spending the money I swindled. Besides, I can't bear to mobilize the people to buy tea leaves for my own money.”
"You can give them wages, even if it's a piecework.”
"I can't do that. Only when there was a flood three years ago and it rained heavily for three days and three nights did I mobilize the people of the entire county to protect the dyke and protect their homes.”
"Have you thought it through? You don't want to do it?"
"No. If you're a merchant with a conscience, I can tell the entire county to sell you the best tea leaves. We don't want the fake signboards of West Longjing and Biluochun. You're doing a good deed for the local people.”
Qianlong was very happy and asked excitedly,"Are you telling the truth?"
"There are no jokes in the army. I've never lied.”
"You said that the magistrate of Hangzhou was your classmate. He was promoted so quickly. Why don't you study it and learn from each other's strengths?”
Bai Dayao said disdainfully," His forte is to act according to the wind and his superiors 'wishes. He's also a bootlicker. You can ask the local people what achievements he has made in the past few years and what good things he has done for them.”
"Your political achievement is building dams? The commoners donated money and goods spontaneously? You took out the money for your son's wedding?”
"How did you know? That scene was so touching. As the father and mother of this place, how could I be indifferent?”
"I heard that the imperial court gives the south a special fund every year to prevent floods?" Qianlong asked in confusion.”
"Those bastards and corrupt officials have kept them. We haven't seen a single tael of silver in the past few years.”
"Do you know who the bastards are?”
" From the Internal Affairs Department to the Prefect, one line, one chain of interests, many people…"
This book is provided by FunNovel Novel Book | Fan Fiction Novel [Beautiful Free Novel Book]