xymnovel Chapter 60: Creating a true golden age requires three generations.
Chapter 60: Creating a true golden age requires three generations.
The truth is quite clear. Back when Wang Jun and Wang Lu were boasting that they were disciples of Chen Tuan, they were still selling miracle pills. No one expected them to rise to prominence so quickly. In fact, at that time, they didn't even know if Chen Tuan was still alive; they were just pure charlatans.
Later, somehow, this sales pitch, originally intended to sell miracle drugs, became the source of their background.
They never expected to catch Zhao Kuangyin's eye so quickly. As far as Zhao Kuangyin was concerned, as long as Chen Tuan was still alive, if he really wanted to find him, how could he not find him? This Taoist priest had dozens of legitimate disciples, so how could he really be a recluse?
Then everything is exposed. The old man is over ninety years old this year, and his mind is not confused. If you ask him for some health tips, he might actually be able to help you regulate your body. But if you ask him to mix acids and bases and tell him about hydrogen, helium, lithium, beryllium, and boron, that's asking too much.
So either the Chen Tuan that Zhao Kuangyin found was fake, or his dozens of disciples were fake, and the people near Mount Hua were mistaking a false god for a real immortal.
Either Wang Jun has a different master and has been deceiving people all along, but his skills are undeniable.
"So... why do you think that father and son would lie? Maybe I should just ask my second brother tomorrow; I don't think he would lie to me."
"Don't ask," Zhao Kuangyin said.
Why?
"You mean them..." Zhao Kuangyin pointed to the sky and said, "Could they really be from heaven, true immortals descended to earth?"
"This... doesn't make sense. Why would they hide it? Besides, the father and son are so down on their luck that they're selling miracle cures at a street stall. If it weren't for Han Tong, they might still be stuck in Tongjifang, or even have been robbed."
"What's so hard to explain? Wang Jun has emphasized many times that he has lost all his Taoist magic and now only has magic left."
If an immortal loses their magical powers, are they still an immortal? If not, why acknowledge them?
Since ancient times, true dragons have never been seen among immortals. If this matter is brought to light, how should I deal with them? Should the common people, and even the officials, worship him or me?
Zhao Guangmei was taken aback, then nodded as if she had just realized something, and said, "That makes sense. As the saying goes, a dragon swimming in the water is like a fish or shrimp playing, and a tiger fallen into the plains is bullied by dogs. Even if someone is a true immortal, without their magic power, they are just a mortal. Mentioning them is of no benefit."
"I consulted Han Dengyan and one of Pan Da Nao's men. They said that the Wang family father and son first appeared in Tongji Fang. Their clothes and appearance were different from ordinary people. They used a watch as their capital to temporarily settle down in Tongji Fang. Han Dengyan also said that the watch was definitely not from the human world."
"So, brother, are you planning to press them for answers?"
Zhao Kuangyin shook his head: "Since they are unwilling to say, why should we pry into it? We are just ordinary people, how would we know if this is some kind of taboo?"
Besides, if we really get a clear answer, it will be harder to settle things. It's better to play dumb sometimes. In any case, this father and son are still of some use. Let's see through them, but not say anything. There's still a long time to observe and test them.
"Then, elder brother, do you intend to appoint Uncle Wang as the Salt and Iron Commissioner, or even the Deputy Commissioner of the Three Departments?"
Zhao Kuangyin shook his head and said, "Wang Jun himself is not willing to be a civil official; instead, he insists on being a military general."
As he spoke, Zhao Kuangyin frowned, recalling his previous encounter with Wang Jun and his son Wang Lu, then shook his head and said:
"No, it's not that Wang Jun wants to be a military general, but that Wang Lu wants him to be a military general. This father and son must have a big secret. Although we won't ask, we must be on guard and investigate."
"I understand," Zhao Guangmei nodded.
"Since Wang Jun wants to be a military general, why not let him serve under the Second Prince for a while and see how things develop? Besides, is it even feasible for the army to engage in business? Would it affect people's livelihoods, or even the normal tax revenue of the imperial court? How can we ensure that there will be a guaranteed profit, and how can we ensure that the army will not eventually spiral out of control?"
"Zhang Mei also had her own selfish motives in this matter. If it were really about turning stones into gold and distributing money to the army, how could this matter be entrusted to the Three Departments?"
How could a government office that manages finances possibly allow them to distribute money to soldiers? Since you happen to be interested in the ways of commerce, why don't you take on this task?
"Wang Junxin's iron mine is quite shrewd. Since you want to do business, take my decree, withdraw 10,000 strings of cash from the national treasury, and give it to the father and son. Force them to invest in that workshop. Consider it an imperial decree to rob them once."
"what?"
"Salt and iron are important national policies. During the Zhou Dynasty, the court, out of compassion for the people's suffering, allowed private iron smelting to produce agricultural tools. This was merely a supplement to the iron policy."
But you'll see when you get there, Wang Jun and his group. This isn't a supplement at all; it's putting the cart before the horse. The imperial court will never allow private individuals to do this. If you go and tell them you want to invest, they'll only be grateful.
"oh."
"Wang Jun is currently working for the second brother and is quite busy, so you'll have to manage things. This 'turning stone into gold' technique—ha, even if it's just a skill, not the true principle, as he says—how can we not master such a miraculous technique?"
Both father and son are sensible people; they know that even if you have skills, you can't use them recklessly. If they're helping you, they might actually use all their abilities to the fullest.
I don't object to you two becoming sworn brothers, but you're the eldest brother. You're giving this person a chance, so use him well and don't let him slip out of your control.
"Don't worry, brother, I understand. I originally wanted to get my second brother involved in this business as well. It sounds easy for the military to do business, but making money without affecting people's livelihoods is not an easy thing at all. We can only wait and see, and we don't know if we can actually make it work in the end."
Zhao Kuangyin smiled and nodded, somewhat gratified that his younger brother had grown up and could share his burdens.
"You're saying this is only a mediocre strategy? Then what is the best strategy? What does it mean to share the world with the soldiers?"
Zhao Guangmei scratched her head: "I know, my second brother just mentioned it to me briefly, without going into details. He said that if you, eldest brother, can make the best of a bad situation, that will be enough to ensure the Song Dynasty's longevity for another hundred years."
If our generation can manage to execute a sound strategy, we will already be incredibly fortunate, enough to preserve the Song Dynasty for three hundred years and usher in a golden age far surpassing the Han and Tang dynasties.
"As for the best strategy, that's for the next generation, or even further into the future. It's only possible if the middle strategy can be implemented well. It's too early to talk about it now, and I don't understand it either. He briefly explained it, but I really didn't understand it."
Zhao Kuangyin thought for a moment, then shook his head and said, "Fine, no need to inquire. A twelve-year-old boy with such knowledge, haha, I'm increasingly convinced that they really are heavenly beings. Third brother, this is our opportunity, the Song Dynasty's opportunity. We must make good use of this father and son."
"What you say is true, brother. I understand."