Chapter 176: Cutting the Merchant’s Leeks

Zhang Hanlin shook his head slightly and stopped worrying about this matter.

After all, this matter was too far away, and he didn't know if he would be able to see it in his lifetime.

Soon after the two chatted for a while, they said goodbye, and Zhang Hanlin began to prepare for a scolding battle.

A few days later, in several cities on the border with Rome, a relatively ordinary newspaper founded by Chinese people,

Then he began to attack Zhang Hanlin, saying that he had betrayed China!

Zhang Hanlin also quickly exchanged insults. The two sides went back and forth for a while.

This was the first time the Romans encountered this situation, and they found it very interesting.

And Zhang Hanlin's supporters even went to attack the place where the newspaper was located.

It caused a sensation, and even the Senate of the Roman capital noticed the incident.

Zhang Hanlin also received an invitation from the Senate for the first time.

The other party needs Chinese people who are close to Rome.

At the same time, this news, after passing through the screening of the Daqin caravan, slowly gathered at a cobweb contact point.

Then the news was sent all the way to Daqin by messenger!

From Rome to Da Qin, the two sides were now separated only by the vast territory of the Huns.

Of course, even if you work hard, it will still take more than ten days to reach the westernmost part of Da Qin, the new territory outside the Western Region.

But from here on, the entire information channel becomes extremely smooth.

The new territory quickly spread the news back to the Western Regions, and the messengers from the Western Regions also sent the news extremely quickly to the post channel on the grassland.

The messengers at the station on the grassland changed people and horses along the way, maintaining the highest speed and galloping towards the Great Wall!

After arriving at the Great Wall, the speed became a little faster because the roads here have been sorted and reinforced over the years.

It is already extremely suitable for horses to run,

It's just that in recent years, the government has been mysteriously building some strange stations and roads.

There were some obstacles, but a month later, the news was finally sent to Xianyang.

At this time, in Xianyang, above the court, Zhao Lang looked down with a rare expression of excitement.

Because today is the day when his children report on their achievements in management over the years,

Although his favorites are Zhao Hao and Zhao Anan, there are still opportunities for others.

As long as the princes and princesses are willing to participate in the succession of the throne, they will be treated equally. They will start in villages and towns with similar conditions. Then, within a period of five years, whoever achieves the best results will naturally be more likely to be appreciated by him.

Moreover, in the court, all the ministers were looking at them, and they had to choose who they would be loyal to in the future.

At this time, Zhao Hao was making the final summary,

"Father, in the past five years, I have connected the village in my hands with the nearest county seat. The roads are smooth, and some handicraft industries have been transferred from the city. Now everyone lives and works in peace and contentment, and the taxes paid are more than those in an ordinary village. More than 10 times!”

Zhao Hao finished speaking with a bit of pride.

In 5 years, he used his own ability to achieve this step, even in the evaluation of officials, he can still get a first-class rating!

Of course it's something to be proud of.

The other ministers couldn't help but nodded. They could indeed achieve this step, which showed that they were down-to-earth and could adapt to local conditions.

After all, it is an extremely good performance, even to exaggerate,

As long as the other party maintains this kind of character and is a conservative king, there will be no problem at all.

Zhao Lang also showed a smile, but of course it was not because of the other party's performance. Zhao Hao grew up next to him, so he was not surprised to achieve this.

What he is happy about is that if this continues, in five or ten years, he will be able to retire and travel around the world.

When I become emperor, who knows?

Even though Chen Ping and Xiao He were standing in front of him, Da Qin was developing extremely rapidly.

Countless things that have never happened before need to be controlled by him.

So every day when I wake up, I have to read paperwork and can't rest until dark.

Of course there are breaks, singing and dancing, etc.

But it’s the same program every day, and I’m tired of it after so long.

Now every day is just like going to work, and there are no special holidays, and no one pays him a salary.

It's like an endless prison, it's so painful.

Soon, after Zhao Hao finished speaking, the other princes and princesses also began to report one by one. Of course, no one surpassed the other.

Just when all the courtiers thought that the prince's matter could be settled,

The prince at the end, a handsome prince who was seventeen or eighteen years old, came out and reported,

"Father, the village in the hands of my son has now become a county town!"

Hearing this, everyone couldn't help but look over. Only then did they realize that this prince,

He was born to their Majesty and merchant leader Shang Yan'er, and was called Zhao Shang.

He was a bit smart, but no one thought that he could turn a village into a county seat in just 5 years!

Such an achievement can be said to be unparalleled!

Sure enough, even Zhao Lang at the top couldn't help but be a little surprised. He glanced at the slave next to him.

Without any hesitation, the slave sent over a document.

At this time Zhao Shang continued,

"Everyone, I have compiled the results in tables over the years, and I will send them to you."

Soon, attendants brought up documents one after another and placed them in front of each minister.

Soon bursts of exclamations sounded in the court hall,

"There are actually three factories in this city!"

"It doesn't matter. The tax revenue contributed by hundreds of shops is no less than that of a medium-sized county!"

"It's only been 5 years!"

The courtiers were talking a lot. Zhao Lang had already read the documents sent by the slave. His expression changed slightly, and then he said with a smile,

"You did a good job, come sit next to me."

Hearing this, Zhao Shang's eyes lit up slightly, and then he sat down next to Zhao Lang excitedly.

As soon as he sat down, he continued excitedly,

"Father, there are still many methods that have not been implemented. Once implemented on a large scale, it will definitely make Great Qin one step further!"

Hearing this, Zhao Lang did not comment, but asked,

"You have been smart since you were young, but you don't seem to be good at running the place. Where did you get these methods? Don't fool me."

Zhao Shang returned very honestly at this time,

"Tell me, Father, it was all the merchants who taught me."

"You have also always taught us to be good at listening to opinions and leave things we are not good at to professionals."

"So I invited many businessmen to the village this time, and it developed quickly after that!"

"Father, you have also seen that relying on merchants, in just five years, this small village has been turned into a county town."

"If Great Qin gives these merchants more convenience in the future, Great Qin will truly become unrivaled!"

When it came to the end, Zhao Shang was extremely excited. This was the first time he experienced the feeling of controlling the destiny of others!

In 5 years, he truly changed the destiny of the people in that village!

Now the people there can be said to be die-hard loyal to him!

How could this not make him excited?

But he didn't notice at this time that all the courtiers in the court had strange expressions on their faces.

But no one said anything.

A hint of chill flashed through Zhao Lang's eyes at this time, but he quickly said,

"Everyone has finished talking today, so please step aside."

"Chen Ping, Li You, you stay."

Soon, the courtiers bowed and left, and even Zhao Hao had no choice but to leave together.

Seeing this scene, Zhao Shang showed an excited expression,

Needless to say, the two people left by his father, Chen Ping, are now Prime Minister Zuo and Li Youze are Li Si's sons, and they are both today's important ministers of the court!

Could it be that his father has taken a fancy to him now and has something special to tell him when he stays!

Soon, only a few of them were left in the court. What did Zhao Shanggang want to say?

Zhao Lang said calmly,

"Your father and I have many children, and I also prefer Zhao Hao and the others."

"It's dad's fault for neglecting you."

"Watch dad do his business now, no talking."

Then he turned directly to the slave beside him and said,

"Go and get the merchants' spending and output from Shang'er over the years."

After hearing the order, the slave took almost no time to bring up a pile of documents.

Zhao Lang didn't look at it, but asked directly,

"What are the inputs and outputs? Will the cost be recouped in the next few years?"

The slave will return soon,

"In the past few years, these businessmen have invested a total of about 50,000 taels of gold and produced less than 5,000 taels."

"To fully recover the cost, it will take at least 10 years!"

"And this does not include the losses incurred during this 10-year period, which means that it is simply unsustainable."

"The person taking the lead is the little leader from the south side of the merchant."

"Officials from several surrounding counties are also involved."

Nu slowly explained the relationships one by one. It was not complicated at all.

It's just that the small leader of this business took the lead and worked with surrounding officials to build this small village into a county town at a loss!

Hearing this, Zhao Shang's face turned pale.

His mother is now the leader of the business, and she naturally knows the conditions under which the business operates.

Businessmen never do business at a loss. The loss now is for greater profits in the future.

And this village obviously cannot provide such profits, so he is the profit that these businessmen value.

It's just that he was blinded by the illusion in front of him, and he only wanted to stand out in front of his father, so he didn't notice at all, or he didn't want to notice these things.

But now his father has completely put these things in front of him,

Zhao Lang nodded, and then asked Chen Ping,

"What methods did those officials use?"

Chen Ping glanced at Zhao Shang, whose face was slightly pale, and quickly returned.

"The government also came forward to let them lead those factories."

Who would put a factory in a village without any reason in the first place?

Zhao Lang stopped asking any more questions and turned to Li You and asked,

"According to Da Qin's laws, how should these people be dealt with?"

Li You said without hesitation,

"These businessmen dare to get involved in royal affairs and should be executed, but their families will not be affected."

"All officials will be withdrawn to the end and will never be renewed. According to the harm caused to the local people, they will be specifically convicted and may be executed!"

Da Qin also changed its standards for sentencing.

Even if the amount of corruption committed by some officials is very small, if it causes serious consequences, they will be beheaded!

After all, for some poor people, just a few kilograms of grain can kill a whole family!

But these things are not enough for those officials.

That's why there is such a standard.

Zhao Lang gave the order directly,

"Then do it."

After saying that, Zhao Lang waved his hand, and Chen Ping and others also bowed and left.

Soon, a messenger left here quickly with orders.

Zhao Shang couldn't help but tremble slightly as he watched the messenger's leaving figure.

Because he knew that this time, at least nearly a hundred people's heads would fall to the ground!

And all this is because of him.

At this moment, he heard his father's voice,

"Is your mother involved in this matter?"

Zhao Shang trembled when he heard this and said quickly,

"Father, although mother has always taught her children, she has absolutely no involvement!"

"Father, please let mother go!"

"Haier promises not to compete again!"

He is also a member of the royal family, so of course he knows the fierce competition among the royal family!

He also knew from his mother that his father was a ruthless emperor!

Looking at Zhao Shang who was so scared, Zhao Lang couldn't help but sigh slightly.

He didn't believe that there was no trick by Shang Yan'er behind this.

But the other party didn't leave any clues, and no matter what, Zhao Shang was also his child.

So he said calmly,

"It's fine if you don't."

Zhao Shang breathed a sigh of relief, then forced out a smile and said with great disappointment,

"Father, I will leave first."

In his opinion, he might not even be able to see his father in the future.

The most ruthless imperial family!

But at this moment, he heard his father's voice again,

"Where are you going? Today you have a lot of ups and downs. It's the time when you need to calm down. Stay with me tonight."

"Come on, take a walk with me."

After saying that, he stood up and walked towards the palace. Zhao Shang was stunned for a while before quickly following him.

Walking on the road inside the palace, Zhao Lang said as he walked,

"Your mother is the head of the merchant. It is extremely natural for you to be close to the merchants."

"But you must know that businessmen put profits first, and they will follow whoever can bring them benefits."

"But they don't have a country in their hearts, let alone people."

"You can take advantage of them, but be wary of them at all times!"

Zhao Lang slowly talked to his child, and Zhao Shang also slowly recovered from his initial fear.

After the other party stabilized his mind again, Zhao Lang said,

"You are still qualified to compete, but you have to be more careful in the future."

Hearing this, Zhao Shang was stunned for a moment. He did not expect that he would still have a chance.

"Father, I..."

Before he could finish speaking, Zhao Lang said with a smile,

"Who can avoid making mistakes? You just have to remember the price of making mistakes."

As he spoke, he touched Zhao Shang's head, and the other party suddenly showed a silly boy's smile.

Early the next morning, Zhao Shang left

In the palace, he has to prove himself again!

Looking at Zhao Shang's leaving figure, Zhao Lang said coldly,

"Let Princess Shang Yaner come to see me!"

After all these years, I still have to cut some of the merchant’s leeks.

(An An)