Chapter 1331: Arriving at Jiangdu

Li Jing had been beaten black and blue by Wang Yan and was still in the stage of recovering from his injuries; he hadn't fully recovered yet.

So Wang Yan did not say goodbye to Li Jing. He just had someone send a gift to Li Jing on the day he left, and handed the letter he had left to Li Jing, before heading south with Yang Guang's large entourage.

Counting carefully, he actually only had this one friend, Li Jing, in the capital. And not just in the capital; in the whole world, he only had this one friend.

This was truly a terrible thing.

The lines of class were too distinct. From the time he rose to power until now, it had only been a year; he lacked the corresponding accumulation. At the same time, all in all, he hadn't been in Daxing City for even three months.

The time was too short; there hadn't been many opportunities to maneuver.

However, his cursing of Yuwen Shu was truly not in vain. Many people gave him gifts, and on the day before he was to leave, most of them were people from the Crown Prince's camp.

Wang Yan reported this to Yang Guang, and Yang Guang didn't express anything, so Wang Yan accepted everything on the list without giving a single return gift.

These people had sinister intentions; they were sowing discord between him and the Yuwen family, wanting to make Yang Guang's subordinates restless. They even hoped Yuwen Shu couldn't take this insult and would directly turn to support the Crown Prince.

Then Yang Guang would suffer a huge loss.

However, when it came to high-level struggles like the succession, one couldn't change camps over such a small matter. The Crown Prince's side would certainly try to win over the Yuwen family, just using Wang Yan's cursing of Yuwen Shu as a pretext.

If it really happened, and Yuwen Shu really turned to support the Crown Prince, even if Yang Guang knew the main reason wasn't Wang Yan, he would still inevitably blame Wang Yan.

By then, Wang Yan might have to defect to the Crown Prince's camp. With such a battle general serving him, the Crown Prince's martial power would certainly be sufficient.

Regarding Wang Yan's combat power as a battle general, all the officials of the Great Sui were convinced. With six hundred troops, he had fought against tens of thousands of Turkic troops on the grasslands, winning and causing over ten thousand casualties—it was heaven-defying.

It was just two words: invincible!

His ability as a commander was of course also demonstrated in this process. Not just anyone could command four thousand troops, especially while utilizing various tactics and splitting them into multiple groups to act. Without the ability of a commander, it would absolutely be ten deaths and no life, after all, the disparity in strength was great, and the combat power of the Turks wasn't much worse...

As for Yang Guang having such good luck to pick up Wang Yan, people were all envious, jealous, and hateful.

They couldn't have him, so they all suppressed Wang Yan.

If Wang Yan had become a running dog under their gates, they would absolutely never show any look of looking down on Wang Yan's humble origins in front of him.

People were all very realistic. The noble clans weren't that noble either; if there was milk, they would call it mother, and if a knife was held to their necks, they would kneel and call it father just the same...

Jiangdu was what would later be Yangzhou.

The saying "Of the moonlit nights in the world, two-thirds are in Yangzhou" well explained the beauty of Yangzhou.

However, Wang Yan arrived in winter; there was no Yangzhou road with spring breezes for ten miles. Moreover, the rebellion here had only just been quelled not long ago, and it was still under military control; it was full of tension and desolation.

The local officials who came to welcome Yang Guang were all trembling with fear. Such a big incident had occurred, and they hadn't suppressed it, leading to a situation that swept across the south. Of course, they were responsible.

However, Yang Guang was not yet stubborn and headstrong at this time. At the welcome banquet organized by the local officials, he soothed everyone's anxious and panicked emotions, expressed understanding for their mistakes, and affirmed their work.

Their work must have been implemented, otherwise, the powerful families of the south wouldn't have reacted so intensely, directly funding others to raise flags and rebel.

Wang Yan of course also attended the banquet. He didn't express any opinions, just ate and drank to his heart's content. After the banquet dispersed, he didn't refuse the fragrant and beautiful hospitality offered by the local officials.

He wasn't willing to treat others like this, but it didn't prevent others from treating him...

This continued until the next day. He woke up early as usual, went for a light run, practiced two sets of boxing, and after washing up, was called by Yang Guang to eat breakfast together.

Unsurprisingly, Yuwen Huaji was not there.

Yang Guang now, for the sake of peace and quiet, tried his best not to let Wang Yan and Yuwen Huaji meet.

Watching Wang Yan eat and drink heartily, Yang Guang couldn't help but have a good appetite and eat a bit more, feeling that the pain of his hangover had improved a lot.

He said, "Wang Yan, tell me, what do you plan to do?"

Wang Yan said without thinking, "Prince, what needs to be done now is to restore the vitality of Yangzhou as soon as possible, let those who farm farm with peace of mind, and those who trade trade steadily. At the same time, the Prince should issue political decrees to repair bridges and pave roads, and memorialize the Emperor to reduce taxes in Yangzhou. During this period, the Prince must also soothe the hearts of the southern powerful families, kill a batch, win over a batch, and win over the southern powerful families for your own use."

"These are all things others have said. Wang Yan, you have the talent of a commander, and you can naturally govern politics, say something fresh." Yang Guang was a bit dissatisfied.

"What the Prince needs to do is exactly this. Perhaps in the specific implementation, you can make some articles. The Prince can increase commercial taxes to repair bridges and pave roads in Yangzhou. You can provide meals for the corvée laborers, and at the same time distribute some money. In this way, the laborers will work with heart, rather than being whipped and forced to work.

The money spent on this item should be covered by the increased commercial taxes. Once the people's lives are better and they are willing to spend money, in a few years, this money will return to your hands through commercial taxes. Yangzhou will have improved, the people will be wealthy, and although the powerful families will pay more commercial taxes, they will earn even more. The Prince can win the hearts of the people of Yangzhou."

Seeing Yang Guang deep in thought, Wang Yan immediately outputted to Yang Guang his understanding of the application of money, expressed in simple language.

For a time, knowledge densely drilled into his brain, and Yang Guang's dog eyes were confused.

But fortunately, Yang Guang was a smart person. He had a very strong ability to understand, pondered for a while, and figured out the relationship.

He looked at Wang Yan in surprise. "I didn't expect you, a martial man, to have such insight."

"Prince, I know that I have never been baptized by the sages, and I have many shortcomings. So I always like to ponder and study. No matter what the matter is, I ponder and study it. I might not understand it for a while, but there will always be a day when I understand it.

Just like the way of money I just mentioned, it was what I thought about when I was young. Now, thanks to the Emperor's trust, I have reached my current status and have gained insight, so I came up with this principle."

"Then I must ask you for advice more often in the future. It really is true that one cannot judge a person by their appearance."

Yang Guang laughed. Before Wang Yan could say anything humble, he said seriously, "So, the matter of minting coins must be strictly prohibited. The matter of powerful families privately hoarding copper coins to build golden men must also be prohibited?"

"This harms the circulation of money. The powerful families have accumulated for decades or centuries; who knows how many copper coins they have privately hoarded?" Wang Yan was very cooperative, and there was a murderous intent in his words.

He said, "However, this matter cannot be rushed. This is the foundation of the powerful families and cannot be easily moved, otherwise, the world will rebel, and there will be smoke and fire everywhere. Slow planning is the superior strategy."

"How to plan slowly?"

"First, mint coins to prevent counterfeiting and unify standards so that people cannot imitate them. Second, once you catch their handles and mistakes, exterminate their clans and confiscate their homes!"

Looking at Wang Yan's murderous appearance, Yang Guang laughed and scolded, "Murderous embryo, reckless man!"

He shook his head amusedly, then asked again, "How about Buddhism?"

"They don't engage in production, hoard money and grain extensively—they should be killed!"

"How about Daoism?"

"They pretend to be gods and ghosts—they should be beaten!"

"Oh? Do you think there is no method of immortality in the world?"

"Prince, the only immortality is to leave a name for later generations. When the Prince ascends the throne, with literary achievements and martial virtues, as an emperor through the ages, you will naturally leave a name for ten thousand generations, and the Prince will attain immortality. I am the forerunner for the Prince, and I can also follow the Prince, with chickens and dogs ascending to heaven, letting the two words 'Wang Yan' be known to later people."

"Slippery."

Yang Guang shook his head amusedly, then asked casually, "What do you plan to do?"

"Naturally, train troops and suppress bandits. Within Yangzhou, I will not allow any heroes who rob houses to exist; I will sweep them all away. While suppressing bandits, I will get some land, open a manor, and raise chickens, ducks, geese, and pigs. Prince, I heard that there is land overseas, and I want to find some manpower to build ships and go overseas to search. If I can't bring back grain, bringing back some spices and seafood is also good."

"So this is another thing you've pondered and studied?"

Wang Yan nodded with a smile. "I'm curious, is the earth under our feet round or square, and what is on the other side of the sea? Now that I've come to Yangzhou, near the seaside, and have nothing to do, it's time to ponder and study it. I hope the Prince can find some shipbuilders. I am not tolerated by the powerful families; if I don't use a knife, no one will give me anything."

"In my opinion, the biggest mountain bandit is you, and the one who should be suppressed the most is also you."

"Then the Prince is the leader of the mountain bandits."

"Eat your food." Yang Guang glared, then laughed out loud again.

He liked Wang Yan's naturalness. Getting along with Wang Yan was truly very relaxing. This was a person who spoke his mind and put his thoughts on display, which made him feel very at ease.

The two of them ate, and Yang Guang asked about some matters of money and economy. Wang Yan outputted again, and after that, he left the Prince of Jin's manor, led by someone to the Jiangning Marquis Manor not far from the Prince of Jin's manor.

Wherever he went, that was the Marquis Manor.

When he arrived home, the house was still busy, carrying out various arrangements.

Following Wang Yan, these people truly suffered; there was no stable time, just moving and settling everywhere.

However, the situation might be better this time. Unless there was a major change in the border generals, or there was a war on the border, it would be difficult for him to be transferred again.

It still returned to his background, and at the same time, it had to fall on his political stance under Yang Guang.

His background affected his room for advancement. Of course, he could fight, so the impact certainly wouldn't be that great; there would always be a time to stand out. But standing on Yang Guang's side had a much greater impact.

After all, Yang Guang was not the heir apparent. Wang Yan's position was too high, and his power was too great, which would affect the Crown Prince. Just because of this, Yang Jian would not let Wang Yan go high.

Valuing him was valuing him, and using him was using him.

Arriving at the backyard, he saw Xiao Mei watching the children play.

She walked over, sniffed lightly, then lightly slapped Wang Yan and scolded, "A smell of common powder, go wash up quickly."

She was always so considerate.

So Wang Yan followed her advice, had someone boil hot water, and washed up. By the time he was done, it was already noon, time for a light meal.

Wang Yan and Xiao Mei drank tea soup and ate pastries.

Watching Wang Yan staring at the tea soup and pondering, Xiao Mei asked, "Husband, why are you staring at the tea soup?"

"I'm thinking that the tea soup tastes mixed, and in the end, it lacks the natural flavor. Perhaps brewing tea leaves directly would be much better."

"I've drunk it; it's very bitter."

"What if we stir-fry it?" Wang Yan said. "It's just about to be spring. There is a lot of tea in the south. When the time comes, buy some fresh tea, and I'll ponder and study it to see how to make it taste good."

"Even if you study it out, it's just making wedding clothes for others. Our family doesn't have a tea garden."

Wang Yan smiled. "Wife, you also come from a large family; how could you forget the housekeeping skill of seizing by force? The Prince is here to suppress the powerful families of the south. During these days, Wife, you should inquire a bit to see whose tea garden is good. If I find a mistake, I'll cut them down. When the time comes, we'll give the Prince a large share, and we'll manage it. The Prince certainly won't blame us, and we'll have another source of wealth.

Look, Chunhong is already laughing. Marquis, I'm not wrong, am I?"

There were four great maids in the Wang family's back courtyard: Wang Chunhong, Wang Liulü, Wang Qiuhuang, and Wang Dongbai, all of whom were extremely beautiful. Chunhong was sent by the Prince of Jin, Liulü was sent by Yang Jian, and Qiuhuang and Dongbai were found by Xiao Mei herself.

How should I put it...

It's better to be simple and direct: he had slept with them all...

After all, Xiao Mei always had times when she was inconvenient. Even if Wang Yan didn't sleep with them, Xiao Mei would drive the maids to his bed.

Chunhong watched the children crawling on the ground and laughed upon hearing this: "Marquis is right. It makes no sense that only they are allowed to rob others, and we aren't allowed to rob them. Marquis, make a fortune, and give the brothers and sisters more silver."

"That's very right." Wang Yan clapped his hands and laughed. "However, this matter cannot be rushed. Let me study whether I can come up with a new way of drinking before doing more research. If it succeeds... Hey, the Prince will definitely have actions. Whether it succeeds or not, don't we still want a tea garden? Regardless of whether it succeeds or not, we must have a tea garden.

The Turks all need tea leaves. We'll send them over to sell to the Turks and earn more money. We can also sell less fine grain. Our own people can't even eat their fill, yet we still have to sell it to the Turks—can that work?"

What he said was actually a joke. After all, the cattle, sheep, horses, and furs he got from selling fine grain to various leaders and khans on the grasslands were absolutely worth much more than the finely processed raw grain, or even the raw grain including the mud and soil from the fields, and could support many more people.

And in the process of processing fine grain, a large group of people had already been supported first.

Wang Yan chatted and laughed with Xiao Mei, mainly talking about doing business in Yangzhou. These things didn't need to be hidden from anyone. He had risen for too short a time; how much family property he had, Yang Guang and Yang Jian probably knew even better than he did.

However, Wang Yan didn't bother to hide it. Was it wrong for him to hide land and population? Was it wrong for him to do business? No one cared.

What people cared about was just that he had mastered the business of making big money, and they hated that it wasn't their own family's. There was no other problem at all.

Ancient people liked to self-defile, using this to make the Emperor feel at ease in using them. After all, one had to have desires and mistakes for the Emperor to hold over them; otherwise, how could people feel at ease?

If Wang Yan had become a sage who didn't ask for anything, Yang Guang wouldn't have been able to sleep. Once he ascended to the throne in the future and the regime was stable, he would absolutely find an opportunity to kill him.

He had to have things to do, and these things couldn't be too serious. So he liked to buy land, liked to do business to make money, liked to study new things, liked beautiful women, liked delicious food, and held great curiosity about the world.

Such various things filled his time and occupied his energy, rather than studying power and rebellion when he had nothing to do.

This way, everyone felt at ease.

For the sake of Yang Guang's thoughts, Wang Yan truly paid too much. Unfortunately, no one understood his painstaking efforts... ===== CHAPTER 1332 =====