xymnovel Chapter 45 You wouldn't happen to be a loyal subject of the Han Dynasty, would you?
Chapter 45 You wouldn't happen to be a loyal subject of the Han Dynasty, would you?
Yuan Tan was discussing the details of the money shop's implementation with Guo Jia and Xin Pi when he heard that Lu Su and Chen Qun had come to visit him. He was first taken aback, but then a great joy welled up inside him!
"Please come in quickly! No, I'll come out to greet you myself!"
Yuan Tan suddenly stood up, his face beaming with barely suppressed excitement.
This is like a perfect pillow for someone who's sleepy!
Lu Su was a man of great talent in both domestic and foreign affairs.
Chen Qun, a master of law and legal systems!
They are all men of exceptional talent, fit to be kings!
A glint flashed in Guo Jia's eyes, and he whispered:
"My lord, these two are outstanding figures of our time. Their sudden visit is of dubious intent. Lu Su may be after salt profits, while Chen Qun may be observing the situation. We must handle this with caution."
Yuan Tan nodded:
"Fengxiao is absolutely right. However, now that I've entered Qingzhou, it will be my opportunity to demonstrate my abilities!"
Outside the gate of the mansion, Yuan Tan greeted the two men with great courtesy and welcomed them into the hall.
Lu Su and Chen Qun sat in the guest seats, Yuan Tan sat in the host seat, and Guo Jia and Xin Pi sat beside them.
The steam from the fragrant tea rose gently.
Yuan Tan's gaze first fell on Lu Su, his smile gentle, and he went straight to the point:
"Brother Zijing, you've come from afar, surely for the profits from Qingyan salt?"
Lu Su didn't beat around the bush, cupping his hands and smiling:
"Your Excellency is wise. I am but a mere merchant, yet I am delighted to see such precious goods. I have made you laugh at me. Salt is as precious as jade, a rare treasure of the world. If it could be distributed, it would benefit the country and its people."
"Brother Zijing speaks quickly."
Yuan Tan clapped his hands.
"One-tenth of the profits from the salt can be shared with Brother Zijing."
A glint flashed in Lu Su's eyes. A fraction of the profit might seem small, but given the quality and scarcity of this salt, it was already an astronomical figure.
But he was a wise man after all, and he knew that there was no such thing as a free lunch. Let's wait and see what happens next.
Yuan Tan then changed the subject:
"However, this is no ordinary business partnership. Tan intends to use this to generate profits from salt, and has hired his brother Zijing as the Prefectural Administrator of Qingzhou, in charge of salt and iron trade and foreign trade, for a period of... two years."
"For the next two years, I hope you, Brother Zijing, will remain in Qingzhou to help me manage these financial and commercial affairs. After two years, whether you stay or leave is your decision. This 10% profit from the salt trade will still be presented to you."
These words even moved Guo Jia slightly.
My lord's plan can be described as an open and aboveboard strategy!
Using huge profits as bait and offering important positions, the real intention was to keep a great talent like Lu Su firmly tied to the war machine of Qingzhou for two years.
Two years is enough time for Lu Su to be deeply involved in the construction of Qingzhou.
Forging deep bonds of interest and personal relationships,
Will he be able to leave then?
Lu Su's usual composed smile vanished, and he fell into deep thought.
Yuan Tan's proposal offered incredibly generous terms, but the price was two years of freedom.
He originally came to investigate, but now he's going to throw himself into it directly...
After a long while, he looked up, his gaze sharp as he looked at Yuan Tan:
"Does Your Excellency know that Su's heart is not necessarily entirely with Qingzhou?"
Yuan Tan met his gaze calmly:
"Tan only knows that Brother Zijing has the talent of a king's advisor, but is trapped in commerce, which is truly a pity for the world. Although Qingzhou is small, it can serve as a touchstone for you to realize your ambitions!"
From sea salt and maritime transport to money exchanges and even future trade in Jiangdong and Liaodong, where wouldn't we need Brother Zijing's strategic talent to coordinate everything? I hereby promise that in all matters of commerce and diplomacy, you may make decisions independently, without needing to report to me on every matter!
The power of "dictatorship"! What trust and courage this represents!
Lu Su was deeply moved. Yuan Tan had not only given him benefits, but also an unprecedented platform and trust.
He took a deep breath, finally stood up, and bowed solemnly:
"I am deeply grateful to Your Excellency for treating me as a national hero! I am willing to serve you with utmost loyalty and dedication for the next two years!"
Having dealt with Lu Su, the next step is Chen Qun.
Yuan Tan knew that for such a representative of Yingchuan's top gentry, the allure of money and official positions was limited.
What he may have been pursuing was the eternal prosperity of his family and a political order that conformed to the values of the aristocratic class.
Yuan Tan was not particularly averse to this.
Top-tier aristocratic families are equivalent to the aristocratic class in ancient China.
In modern times, the aristocracy is naturally destined to be eliminated by the times.
However, in ancient times, it could help maintain a certain degree of social stability.
The nobility, relatively speaking, are more loyal to the country.
This also explains why, even though the Eastern Jin Dynasty was so corrupt,
It was not destroyed as quickly as the Southern Ming Dynasty.
For nobles of the classical era, they were better able to ensure the continuation of Chinese clothing and customs.
That's enough. After all, Yuan Tan only arrived at the end of the Han Dynasty and couldn't possibly have created a more advanced system directly.
After all, this era didn't even have capital or a working class.
Yuan Tan stared at Chen Qun, his attitude becoming even more humble:
"Brother Changwen, a renowned scholar from Yingchuan, your presence today is a great honor to Qingzhou. My words are of no use; Qingzhou is a small place in dire need of reconstruction, and I fear it may not meet your approval. I have only one question, and I dare to ask you, Brother Changwen, to speak frankly: How can we save the world?"
Chen Qun remained calm and, instead of answering, asked a question:
"Chen Qun also has a question: May I ask Your Excellency's aspirations?"
Do all you aristocratic families like to do this kind of thing?
Do you think this makes you look sophisticated?
Although Yuan Tan was somewhat speechless, he still answered:
"The decline of the Han dynasty was not a sudden event. With the emperor in exile and numerous warlords rising up, this was not an era of order or chaos, but rather a time to rebuild the world!"
"I, Tan, though unworthy, am willing to emulate the deeds of Emperor Guangwu, wielding my three-foot sword to sweep away the dust from the world, re-establish the imperial order, and recreate a peaceful and prosperous era where all people rejoice!"
Touched?
Excited?
Hurry up and bow down to me!
I, Yuan Tan, intend to emulate the deeds of Emperor Guangwu. If your Chen family follows me, you will have the opportunity to share the fate of the nation.
As expected, Guo Jia, Xin Pi, Lu Su, and others all had their eyes light up upon hearing this.
It seems they all understand what I mean.
But Chen Qun turned and left.
"Since Governor Yuan insists on discussing these empty and impractical matters with me, I have nothing more to say. Farewell!"
You didn't understand, did you?
I even uttered such treasonous remarks as wishing to emulate the deeds of Emperor Guangwu.
You actually turned around and left?
You wouldn't happen to be a loyal subject of the Han Dynasty, would you?
impossible!
When Cao Pi usurped the Han throne, you were the first to support him!
If you're really this ungrateful, believe me, I'll kill you!
But for the sake of my beautiful land, I'll endure it!
"The world does not belong to one person, but to all people! To conquer the world, heroes and valiant men are needed; to govern the world, scholars and gentlemen are needed to govern together!"
Yuan Tan stared intently at Chen Qun.
"If Tan succeeds, he will surely bring all the talents of the world under his control! Those who have made contributions will be rewarded, and those who have talent will be employed. Why should the Yuan family be the only beneficiary? At that time, all those who follow him will have their achievements inscribed on ancient bronze vessels, benefiting their descendants!"
I've made myself clear enough this time, haven't I?
As long as you are willing to support me, your Chen family will be my loyal subjects.
Yuan Tan had already made up his mind: if this fellow still refused to submit after hearing so many treasonous words,
Then don't blame me for turning my back on you.
After all, if these words were to spread, he might very well be seen as the next Yuan Shu.
Chen Qun was slightly moved, but not satisfied; this was just empty talk that all the feudal lords would say.
He needs more specific and institutionalized commitments.
"May I ask if the eldest young master could explain this to me in detail?"