Wang Lin had a headache. He could no longer suppress the wealthy gentry. As an official of the imperial court, he was very aware of the consequences of killing the imperial envoys.
Once something happens to Li Qing, no matter whether he did it or not, he will not be able to do well. At the least, he will be dismissed from office, and at the worst, he will be killed.
"Damn, these are a bunch of bastards who don't know the bounds of heaven and earth...!" Wang Lin said angrily, "If you want to die, you better get me."
After pacing back and forth for a few steps, he finally felt uneasy, so he changed into his official uniform and prepared to rush to the Imperial Envoy Courtyard.
Unexpectedly, as soon as he left the government office, he met Jin Yiwei.
When Wang Lin saw Jin Yiwei, his calves immediately trembled. The person's name, the shadow of the tree, Jin Yiwei's institution was really unfriendly to officials, especially civil servants.
The civil servants were almost at odds with Jin Yiwei.
During the Hongwu Dynasty, tens of thousands of people died in this institution. How could he not be afraid? Coupled with his guilty conscience, Wang Lin almost begged for mercy.
"This... sir, is there something wrong?"
The dignified magistrate, but calling him an ordinary Jin Yiwei master, shows his fear of Jin Yiwei.
The Jin Yiwei cupped his hands and said: "Your Majesty the Imperial Envoy, please ask the Wang Prefect to fully cooperate with the establishment of the Weaving Bureau. If it is not completed within three months, or there are mistakes, I will ask the king to order the flag to kill you!"
Wang Lin immediately turned pale, and at the same time, a surge of anger surged in his heart.
This imperial envoy... is too damn good, isn't he?
In the officialdom, especially between superiors and lower officials, it is not uncommon to blame others, but it is rare to do so openly and openly like Li Qing.
Wang Lin was extremely angry, but he was still angry, but he didn't dare to show it at all on his face, and kept responding with his mouth.
After the Jin Yiwei conveyed his instructions, he left without looking back, leaving Wang Lin alone filled with resentment.
Now, the pressure was all on his side.
If something happens to the imperial envoy, he will die; if the weaving bureau fails, he will die; Wang Lin is in a dilemma.
He would never dare to offend the imperial envoys who represented the emperor, but those wealthy gentry were not cheap. More importantly, his Wang family was the largest wealthy gentry in Suzhou.
With the court officials on one side and his partners and family members on the other, Wang Lin really doesn't know what to do now.
As a member of an official and gentry family, over the years he has often worked for the welfare of the wealthy gentry and received benefits from them. Of course, his family has benefited even more.
Therefore, his leverage is also in the hands of the wealthy gentry. If he really forces these people, he will definitely not get any good results.
These rich gentry are not good men and women. They dare to touch even the imperial envoys, let alone a prefect.
Wang Lin's head was about to explode.
After much thought, he decided to stabilize Fu Shen first.
…
Li Qing has been staying in the Imperial Envoy's Courtyard, playing chess, listening to music, and enjoying himself all day long.
More than ten days passed, but there was still no movement at all, and he couldn't help but feel a little annoyed.
Why doesn't the rich gentleman come?
He is waiting to raid the house!
Two days later, the killer did not arrive, but the prefect Wang did.
"I'm here to see you, your Majesty the Imperial Envoy." Wang Lin saluted respectfully.
"Prefect Wang doesn't look too good!" Li Qing chuckled, "No need to be polite, just sit down!"
"Thank you, sir." Wang Lin has really suffered a lot these days. He has dark circles under his eyes and looks haggard. "Sir, I'm a low-ranking official... I don't know whether I should say something or not."
"Then let's not talk about it." Li Qing said flatly, "The top priority is to build the Weaving Bureau. The Wang Prefect also needs to keep an eye on the Weaving Bureau. If something goes wrong... hum."
Wang Lin was full of grief and anger, but he did not dare to stand up, so he forced a smile and said: "What your lord said is that the subordinates in the Weaving Bureau have never slacked off, but... regarding the weavers and silkworms, you still need your lord to show up.
"
"Yeah, that's right." Li Qing stood up and said, "Let's go!"
"Ah? This...now?"
"Otherwise?" Li Qing asked, "Does the prefect Wang think that I am here just for fun?"
"I don't dare," Wang Lin said sarcastically, "It would be better if I let my subordinates inform the rich gentry first and let them prepare."
Li Qing asked in surprise: "What are you preparing for?"
Wang Lin was stunned for a moment, not knowing how to answer.
"Let's go, sooner rather than later." Li Qing said, "My imperial mission's time is precious and cannot afford to be wasted."
Wang Lin: "..."
After leaving the Imperial Envoy's Courtyard, Li Qing called two guards in royal robes and said, "Prefect Wang, shall we go to your home first?"
"This..." Wang Lin's heart trembled, "Sir, why don't we go to Rich Master Liu's house? His workshop is bigger."
"Hmm... that's fine." Li Qing followed suit.
Wang Lin is still useful at this stage, but he doesn't want to push him too hard.
…
Half an hour later, the group arrived at Rich Master Liu's workshop.
Liu's workshop is quite large, covering an area of more than ten acres, with nearly a thousand looms and nearly three thousand workers. It has a complete production chain from boiling cocoons and drawing silk to dyeing and drying fabrics.
"Zhizhizhi..."
The sound made by the loom came and went one after another, which was very lively.
Li Qing looked pleased. This was already showing signs of industrialization and could almost be called a factory.
When Mr. Liu heard that the imperial envoy had arrived, he immediately put aside what he was doing and hurried over to socialize.
After walking around for a while, Li Qing gained a new understanding and overturned his previous thoughts.
——The wealth of the local wealthy gentry is definitely more than that of the vassal king!
"Your Majesty the Imperial Envoy has worked hard," Rich Master Liu said flatteringly, "I have prepared some simple meals, and I hope you will appreciate me!"
"Oh?" Li Qing rubbed his belly and said with a hearty smile, "Okay, I happened to be hungry, so I spent money on Mr. Liu."
"Where is it..." Mr. Liu was overjoyed, "My lord, please, my lord, please."
Wang Lin was also overjoyed when he saw this. This was a good sign!
Don't be afraid of corrupt officials, be afraid of honest officials.
As long as you ask for something, you'll be fine.
~
Liu family.
Li Qing sat down on the table unceremoniously, and the rich man Liu and the prefect Wang accompanied him carefully and flattered him constantly.
After a while, wine and food were served one after another. Each dish was pitifully small, but extremely exquisite and expensive to make.
Just for the carp whiskers and duck tongues, I don’t know how many fish and ducks have been killed, even if you don’t look at the two small plates.
The wine is also unusual, with a soft mouthfeel and a smooth throat.
Li Qing couldn't help but sigh to himself: "Both Mr. Zhu and Mr. Lao have never been so extravagant."
The wealth of the wealthy gentry in Jiangnan once again refreshed his understanding. These wealthy gentry passed down from generation to generation really made him envious.
Prefect Wang and Mr. Liu toasted and flattered each other repeatedly, and Li Qing also looked like he was very useful. The three of them talked and laughed as if they had been friends for many years.
Seeing that the time was gradually coming, Wang Lin gave Mr. Liu a wink. The latter understood, raised his glass and said with a smile, "Sir, why don't you let the two official servants go and have something to eat? It's not easy for them either."
Li Qing nodded with a smile and sent the two royal guards to retreat.
He knew that the time had come to test him.
Sure enough, as soon as the Jin Yiwei retreated, Mr. Liu clapped his hands several times, and not long after, a group of orioles walked into the room.
"Dance, dance...!"
All the women bowed and twisted their waists.
Jiangnan women are as soft as water, and their unique style is really eye-catching.
Are you going to test me with this?
Li Qing was a little disappointed, he thought he would use money as a bribe.
After a while, the housekeeper of Liu's house called his servants and brought a big box. Rich Master Liu smiled and said: "Your Majesty the Imperial Envoy is a scholar and regards money as dirt. I think only these saints' classics can be discerned by your Majesty."
As he said that, he opened the box and took out a book, "Do you think you'd like it if you read it, sir?"
Li Qing was really not interested in these things, but in order to numb the other party, he still took it and started flipping through it. When he saw what was in the book clearly, he couldn't help but be stunned.
This is not a book, but a piece of treasure banknote.
"Sir, how about this book...?"
Li Qing laughed loudly: "Wonderful, wonderful!"
After a pause, "That's it for now. Tomorrow the prefect will call all the rich gentry here. The Weaving Bureau needs the help of the rich gentry. We have to discuss it carefully."
"Yes, I will obey your orders."
Wang Lin was overjoyed, isn’t this enough?
For people like them, as long as they can be solved with money, it is not a problem. It can be said that everyone is happy that the imperial envoy is so wise.
Mr. Liu was also smiling from ear to ear. Killing the imperial envoy was just an angry talk. He would be happy to see it resolved peacefully.
Li Qing ate, drank, and took things again, making the two of them completely relieved.
…
Returning to the Imperial Envoy Courtyard, hundreds of households in brocade clothes immediately came forward to report: "Sir, the commanding officer is here."
Li Qing's eyes lit up: "Where are the others?"
"There is a female family member in the courtyard. The commander can't keep him for a long time. He has gone to the post house." Baihu in Jinyi asked, "Do you want to invite her over?"
Li Qing nodded.
Half an hour later, Ji Gang, commander of the Jinyi Guards, arrived on horseback.
He cupped his fists and said, "I have met Marquis Yongqing."
"Commander Ji, Shao Li, get off your horse and speak." Li Qing didn't like to look up and sat on the couch in the courtyard, minding his own business, "How many people are here?"
Ji Gang turned over and dismounted, and replied: "One thousand and five, the emperor was worried about the safety of Lord Marquis, so he sent all the idle guards here."
"Well, you go to the post house first and don't be exposed for the time being."
"I'm afraid that's not possible." Ji Gang refused, "The emperor asked me to protect the Marquis, and I hope the Marquis will be considerate."
Li Qing didn't bother to explain to him, so he took something out of his arms and asked, "Is it okay now?"
Ji Gang craned his neck to take a look, his expression suddenly changed, and he hurriedly bowed: "Long live my emperor, long live long live..."
Li Qing took back the token of "I am here in person" and said, "Commander Ji, you have been working hard all the way. Go back and have a good rest and wait for news from me."
"Yes." Ji Gang said yes without any excuse.
For the emperor to grant such a token shows how powerful Li Qing is. Even he, the commander of the Imperial Guard, who makes all the officials look down on him, cannot afford to offend him.
"Then I will wait in the post house first. If the Marquis has anything to do, just give me a word."
Ji Gang's attitude before and after it was completely different.