Chapter 49 Playing Mahjong

  Liu Zhang walked in and saw that the empty space under the workshop had been filled with several tables, and chairs were arranged all over. The originally deserted Ten Crossings Workshop was now bustling like a wealthy family hosting a wedding banquet.

  As Liu Zhang entered, the young men of noble families immediately stood up, with surprise and excitement on their faces. Yin Bai revealed a complacent smile to them, meaning "See, I told you I could invite Governor Liu."

  Liu Zhang pressed down on his hand, and the young men of noble families sat back down to continue playing.

  Liu Zhang sat down in an empty seat, and the two young gentlemen also sat down. Yin Bai brought over a set of mahjong tiles, and the gentleman with white spots on his robe said: "Don't worry, Governor, we've bought all these used tables, chairs, stools, and mahjong tiles. My family runs a gambling den, and we'll definitely introduce these new games."

  These young people were originally at the age of loving to play, because they were young and not as afraid of anything as old people. After half a day, these young masters from aristocratic families had completely thrown off the shadow of Jiangzhou and felt that Liu Zhang was not so terrible after all, and their courage increased greatly.

  Yin Bai said while playing mahjong, "Wang Erpao, what are you talking about? Does the Prefect think your family's few pieces of silver are worth anything? I understand the Prefect's intention. Don't worry, Prefect, I'll go back and advise my family elder and clan leader to bring all our goods into this place and set up assembly-line workshops. This way, we can make money for ourselves while also promoting the prosperity of Yizhou."

  Liu Zhang smiled and said, "Generally, people's minds are inversely proportional to their bodies, but you, Master Yin, are an exception. You understand my intention very well. However, persuading the elderly clan leaders is not an easy task. As a government official, I have never liked to speak falsely. The Land Order can indeed promote the prosperity and stability of Yi Province, but it does encroach upon your aristocratic interests. Your elders will certainly consider land ownership as fundamental and commerce as a lowly occupation. You should be mentally prepared for this."

  Yin Bai waved his hand and said, "That's nothing. Since Emperor Xiaowen of Northern Wei, commerce has not been a lowly occupation. If it weren't for commerce, how could I, Emperor Wu of Northern Zhou, have had the money to launch three campaigns against the Xiongnu? I think this assembly-line workshop can make more money in one month than those few pieces of land can make in a year. Why not be happy about it?"

  "That's right, that's right." The other princes also echoed in agreement.

  A young man at another table said loudly, "Dong Zhou Han Feizi said that merchants are one of the five pests, a social parasite. I wonder if he made the brush, ink and bamboo slips himself when he wrote those two words."

  "Hahaha." The others burst out laughing together.

  "Governor, rest assured that although our dynasty prioritizes agriculture, we also understand the importance of commerce. We, the aristocratic families, will naturally follow the national policy without avoiding honor or shame. It's just...," Yin Bai said, pausing for a moment as if hesitant, and then continued in a pleading tone: "Governor, it would be enough to issue a land decree, at least that way you wouldn't take away our original lands, but please, whatever you do, don't do what they did in Jiangzhou..."

  Yin Bai didn't finish speaking, and the other young masters also quieted down, perking up their ears to listen to Liu Zhang's response.

  Liu Zhang stroked his beard and said casually, "I can guarantee you here that as long as you don't rebel or use your clan's power to coerce the prefecture, I will absolutely not infringe upon your property in the slightest. On the contrary, with the rise of Yi Province, I will make you become one of the wealthiest and most powerful clans under the great Han Empire."

  "Hmm~~" Liu Zhang's words not only dispelled everyone's worries, but also greatly invigorated them. The wealthiest and most powerful clan - what a tempting target! Compared to the wealthy clans of Jingzhou, Yizhou was inferior in terms of wealth; compared to Jiangdong, it was inferior in terms of power. And when compared to the northern clans, it was inferior in both wealth and power. Yet, with one remark, they were suddenly elevated to the highest level, causing these young people to become instantly spirited and refreshed.

  Young people think Liu Zhang is easy to talk to, and they all come to chat with him. Since he sits in a flat row, there's no high-and-mighty attitude. After playing mahjong for just a few rounds, some bold and familiar ones treat Liu Zhang as a friend.

  A stout, somewhat foolish-looking young master in purple clothes played his cards while saying to Liu Zhang: "Governor, you don't know yet, the Liao family and two other aristocratic families have already moved away, and before they left, they even instigated us to move away too..."

  A young man watching beside him immediately pinched the fatty, the clan has its own unwritten rules, no matter what the clan's stance is, it will not help the government suppress the other party, this is also one of the secrets of the clan's inheritance.

  Fatso paused, a tense moment, but Liu Zhang smiled faintly and said: "Let's move on, I've already reported it, one day I'll make these people regret their actions today. But that depends on you all, as long as you all do better than those who moved in the future, those people will be green with regret. What do you think?"

  Everyone suddenly relaxed and burst out laughing. Yin Bai loudly said: "The prefectural governor's words are good, the Yin family will not disappoint."

  "Count us as one of the Zhong family."

  "And also our Zeng family..."

  Liu Zhang listened to these vigorous young people chattering, smiling faintly. These people couldn't represent the masters of various tribes, but at least they could prove one thing: the hearts of the younger generation of aristocratic families had been won back, and next time's four-college imperial examination wouldn't be all dominated by commoners.

  Outside the window, Huang Yue watched Liu Zhang getting along with the noble son of the Shi family, slowly turned around, mounted his horse and galloped into the darkness.

  Fa Zheng and Wang Lei sat separately at the two corners of the workshop's gate, feeling bored. One was more conservative, while the other disliked noise, so they could only squat here.

  At this time, seeing Huang Yue riding away, Fa Zheng said to Wang Lei: "Do you see? I think this girl is the best candidate for our master's remarriage."

  "Why?" Wang Lei asked in puzzlement.

  "The daughter of the Shi family, Huang Quan's younger sister, is gentle and considerate, knowledgeable and reasonable. If Master marries her, it will not only greatly benefit the stability of the Shi family but also provide a stable rear for us. We should make every effort to bring this matter to fruition."

  Fa Zheng didn't expect his master to have so many clever ideas, things went more smoothly than he imagined, and the power of the aristocratic families was not as difficult to overcome as he thought. However, he knew that those young masters couldn't represent the elders of each family, if Master married Huang Yue again, it would definitely give the Chengdu aristocratic families a reassurance pill.

  "What about Xiao Gu Niang?" Wang Lei asked.

  Fa Zheng sighed and said, "She's a good girl, but she absolutely can't be the legitimate wife of an adult. Her words and actions are unseemly, and she's a barbarian woman. Just like today at the ceremony to worship heaven, she left her seat without permission. If she were the legitimate wife of the master, it would have a terrible impact. This kind of woman will bring many troubles to the master, and may even cause great disaster. Using her as a concubine is already a stretch, let alone as a legitimate wife."

  Wang Lei thought for a moment and nodded slowly.

  Huang Quan's mansion, the Huang family was a prominent family in Shu Bei, with a large estate and many servants. However, the mansion that Huang Quan had set up was very simple and humble, with few servants. As the person in charge of all civilian affairs in Yi Zhou, Huang Quan had many things to attend to, and after the ceremony to worship heaven, he returned to his mansion.

  It was late at night and Huang Quan was alone, holding a lamp to organize the documents. Suddenly, he heard a hurried horseshoe sound outside, followed by Huang Yue quickly entering the room.

  "What's this, Master has taken those young masters from noble families on a tour of the workshop?"

  "It's done."

  Huang Yue stopped in her tracks, muttering two words under her breath, still panting. Huang Quan was very puzzled - his sister had clearly ridden a horse back, so why was she still panting heavily?

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