Chapter 1546: Not Happy When Really Said

Prince Yu's mansion, Wang Yan came uninvited.

The one who came out to receive him was still Feng Bao.

"I have seen Assistant Prefect Wang."

"Eunuch Feng, it's been a long time." Wang Yan greeted him enthusiastically, grabbing Feng Bao's hand, and twenty large notes of one guan each went into the pocket of Feng Bao's sleeve.

Immediately, he shook his head regretfully, sighing, "These new treasure notes are good, but there is no real silver to weigh down the hand."

"Before, they were just silver notes. The Assistant Prefect is generous. If you brought all silver, wouldn't it weigh down your body?" Feng Bao smiled flatteringly, showing closeness, then bowed and retreated, gesturing with his hand, "The Prince is already waiting for the Assistant Prefect, and has ordered the mansion's cooks to hurry up with the dishes, wanting to get drunk with the Assistant Prefect. Please."

Wang Yan followed Feng Bao into the Prince's mansion, walking on the road talking and laughing.

They hadn't walked far when a small child rushed out, followed by eunuchs and maids.

"Heir! Heir!" They called out in panic.

They couldn't help but panic; not watching the Heir and bumping into a guest who came to the Prince's mansion would lead to punishment later. No matter how much of an Heir he is, he is just a mischievous child now.

"Big Companion, play with me." The little thing pulled Feng Bao's hand.

"Heir, the servant is receiving a guest for the Prince. After receiving the guest, I will play with the Heir." Feng Bao almost squatted down so the Heir could be level with him.

Wang Yan was watching the little thing with interest; after all, this is the future Wanli Emperor.

Seeing little Wanli look over, Wang Yan bowed with a smile: "Assistant Prefect of Shuntian Prefecture, Wang Yan, has seen the Heir."

"You are Wang Yan?"

"Does the Heir know me?"

"I heard you are bold and reckless..."

"Oh, Heir, what bold and reckless? Assistant Prefect Wang is wholeheartedly for the people, for our Great Ming Dynasty, working with his life." Feng Bao hurriedly interrupted little Wanli's words.

Wang Yan laughed loudly, took two pieces of candy from his sleeve and handed them over: "The Heir is right, the subordinate is bold and reckless. But Heir, you must understand, who is everything I do really for? When you understand these things, then you can look at it again. Eat the candy, Heir, sweeten your mouth."

Seeing little Wanli looking at himself, Feng Bao took the candy: "The servant thanks the Assistant Prefect on behalf of the Heir."

Wang Yan patted Feng Bao's arm: "The Heir is close to you, his Big Companion, so I won't trouble you. Please, Eunuch, take me to see the Prince."

Watching Wang Yan follow the little eunuch away, little Wanli peeled the candy wrapper and started eating the candy.

"Big Companion, Mother Concubine said this Wang Yan is bold and reckless, but I think he is quite good; he smiles really nicely."

Feng Bao let out a long breath: "Then Heir, when you see Wang Yan in the future, be closer to him; he is working for the Emperor Grandfather."

No matter how they scold, slander, or attack, anyone with eyes can see who is truly contributing to the Great Ming and who is truly working for the Emperor.

As a subject, Wang Yan's attitude is impeccable. In governing the locality, Wang Yan is also for the country and the people.

Now, although many scholars look down on Wang Yan's background as a wife's family, and look down on Wang Yan's blatant greed for money and lust, they all respect Wang Yan's true attitude of working for the country and the people.

Even a blind man can see the huge changes in the capital in the past few years; this is a huge achievement that cannot be erased...

After a long time of not seeing each other, Prince Yu looked quite haggard, but his attitude toward Wang Yan was more enthusiastic, much better than the last time the two met.

Of course, the two hadn't just met that one time; they had also met at other events, but there was no communication.

"Assistant Prefect Wang, it's been a long time. Why did you come to my mansion today? Is there something?"

After the greetings, Prince Yu asked directly.

Wang Yan bowed toward the direction of the Imperial Palace: "His Majesty heard that the Prince had caught a cold and was not getting better. It just so happens that the subordinate knows a bit of medicine, so His Majesty asked me to come and take a look at the Prince."

"It is truly laboring the Father Emperor's concern. Since that is the case, then I will trouble you to take a look."

A moment later, Wang Yan held Prince Yu's arm to take his pulse, and asked in detail about many physical symptoms, reactions, feelings, etc., then used a pen and ink to write a prescription, and also left a recipe.

"The Prince should still relax his heart and not worry too much. Only when the heart is relaxed can the body be comfortable... Follow the prescription I opened to take medicine, eat, and it is best to find Eunuch Huang to arrange for someone to come and teach the Prince the health-preserving method. That is something I pondered out. Doing it twice every morning will make you feel refreshed and is of great benefit to the body..."

Prince Yu is only twenty-eight years old. Although his body is a bit weak, it is still okay. His cold may come from the death of Prince Jing. Prince Jing died after the New Year, and the news was sent to the capital before the Lantern Festival.

Prince Jing died suddenly, died without a huge stir, and the court was eerily quiet.

Now there is only Prince Yu left as a son...

Listening carefully to Wang Yan's instructions, and having people put away the prescription and recipe Wang Yan wrote by hand, Prince Yu said: "Assistant Prefect Wang, wait a moment. I have already ordered people to prepare food. It is noon now, so you and I will have a few drinks together before leaving. Speaking of which, it is more comfortable to eat with you, and I eat more."

"The subordinate is stupid and honest; if told to eat, I eat; if told to drink, I drink."

"Assistant Prefect Wang, being too humble is not good. If you were stupid and honest, how could Shuntian Prefecture become what it is today in just three years? Last year there was a severe drought and poor harvest, and in winter there was a snow disaster. Not one person in Shuntian Prefecture died of freezing or hunger; it is all your credit."

"It is also possible that there are people who died of freezing or hunger below, but the people below are hiding it." Wang Yan laughed loudly, "But generally speaking, the subordinate still did his duty and did not fail His Majesty's trust, making it possible for the common people to live better."

"You are a capable official of a prosperous age." Prince Yu gave a very high evaluation. He sighed, "You have not had it easy either. In order to do some practical things, you have been assassinated repeatedly in the past few years and suffered much criticism; it is truly rare."

"What the subordinate does is all for the sake of our Great Ming being better and more prosperous. As long as the subordinate lives for one day, I must contribute to the prosperity of our Great Ming. I cannot manage the distant, so I will start from Shuntian Prefecture and the surrounding areas, doing what the subordinate can."

Prince Yu nodded with a smile, and didn't feel that Wang Yan had taken too much silver.

Because everything is afraid of comparison. Wang Yan sent eight million taels of silver to Jiajing; is taking forty thousand taels of silver for himself considered a lot? Moreover, according to investigations, all of Wang Yan's silver is used to raise meat.

All of Wang Yan's industries also revolve around eating meat—breeding, transportation, slaughtering, veterinary medicine, herbal medicine, etc. Up to now, a sound industrial chain has been built in Shuntian Prefecture and Hangzhou.

He himself really didn't spend much; the biggest expenses were eating, drinking, and raising women...

On the other hand, Wang Yan really gets things done. Shuntian Prefecture is well-governed, and he vents his anger for Jiajing by biting people everywhere. After so many years, Prince Yu has long understood Wang Yan's important role.

Even to be blunt, he now feels that Wang Yan is more loyal and more useful than the many people in his Prince's mansion, and more than Xu Jie, Gao Gong, Zhang Juzheng, and others who support him.

Of course, that is for the entire Great Ming, and it is from the Emperor's position...

Just as Wang Yan was talking about everything with Prince Yu, a little eunuch came to report that Xu, Gao, and Zhang had all come.

Without waiting for Prince Yu to look over, Wang Yan had already sensibly stood up to take his leave: "Since the three of you have come here, the subordinate will leave first and come back another day to beg for food in the Prince's mansion."

"It doesn't matter, you stay. We are officials of the same court, don't be so distant."

Prince Yu said so, so Wang Yan naturally couldn't say much, and sat back down immediately.

After chatting for another two minutes, Xu, Gao, and Zhang walked in one after another, and Wang Yan also stood up: "Wang Yan has seen Grand Secretary Xu, Grand Secretary Gao, and Minister Zhang."

The three of them also nodded very politely. Xu Jie smiled happily, as if joking: "I hear you have many opinions about this old man. I thought you were going to call me an old thing directly."

"Old thing!"

"Uh..."

Seeing Xu Jie's awkward expression, Wang Yan smiled: "Look, Grand Secretary Xu, you are not happy when I really call you that. You are a small-minded person who holds grudges, so why pretend to be generous?"

"Wang Yan!" Zhang Juzheng scolded.

"Stop talking nonsense." Prince Yu also looked over with dissatisfaction.

Wang Yan laughed loudly: "Grand Secretary Xu is joking with the subordinate, so the subordinate is joking with Grand Secretary Xu. Old thing, you aren't really holding a grudge, are you? Huh?"

"Wang Yan, you have too many misunderstandings about me."

"Don't rely on your age to sell your age." Wang Yan glanced at him and said lightly, "The subordinate has said on various occasions that whoever has the ability should solve the problem."

"I hear you always say that things should be done slowly, that pulling one hair affects the whole body, and you dare not act rashly on many things. How about this, Grand Secretary Xu, you don't have to push it nationwide; you first collect the cleaning fees in Songjiang Prefecture, clear the land and check the households, pay taxes according to the regulations, and then promote the new treasure notes."

"Grand Secretary Xu, as the current head of the cabinet, state affairs are all in your hands. Take the lead, set an example for the officials in the court, and let the powerful and wealthy take the initiative to send money."

"When the time comes, our Great Ming will be prosperous and strong, driving away the Tatars in the north, sweeping away the Japanese pirates in the east, with peace under heaven, the people living and working in peace, and the officials being clean and upright, becoming that realm of Great Harmony. What does Grand Secretary Xu think?"

Xu Jie didn't speak. Wang Yan was so direct; how could he speak?

Zhang Juzheng shouted: "Wang Yan, why be so aggressive? It's all for the Great Ming..."

"Minister Zhang, why don't you collect the cleaning fees in Jingzhou, clear the land and check the households, and then promote the new treasure notes?" Wang Yan said with a smile, "How much is for the Great Ming and how much is for yourself, the gentlemen know best. Wang Mou has been assassinated more than ten times, and you pretend to be deaf and dumb, but when the Eastern Depot and Embroidered Uniform Guard arrest people, you jump out and say it's a wide-ranging implication, making people uneasy."

"Damn it, only those who have done something wrong are uneasy. I sleep very comfortably every day. When they wanted to kill me, they didn't say they were uneasy, but when it's their turn to be killed, they start to be uneasy? Three gentlemen, how can you teach me? Are you uneasy now?"

Gao Gong looked left and right, and snorted with dissatisfaction: "This old man is very at ease. Do you have anything or not?"

Wang Yan laughed, turned and bowed to Prince Yu: "Prince, you saw it from the beginning. This can't blame the subordinate. The old thing insisted on pretending to be generous, and I really called him an old thing, and he gave me a cold face. It's so boring, hypocritical! The subordinate will take his leave, otherwise, if I anger Grand Secretary Xu to death later, I won't be able to bear the blame. This is a pillar who is working hard for our Great Ming; he can't fall..."

Prince Yu looked like he was going to die, angered by Wang Yan until his liver hurt. He had no patience to say polite words to Wang Yan, waving his hand repeatedly to urge him to leave quickly.

So Wang Yan politely took his leave...

"Grand Secretary..."

Without waiting for Prince Yu's comfort, Xu Jie smiled and shook his head: "Wang Yan is only twenty-five years old, but he has had extraordinary experiences. It is reasonable for him to have a big temper and a straightforward personality. How can this old minister be angry with him?"

"Grand Secretary has a vast capacity; this Prince admires you very much."

After such flattery, this matter was considered turned over, and they turned to talk about serious business.

Zhang Juzheng's words were shocking: "His Majesty sent Eunuch Lu today to pass a message that he will go into seclusion to pray for blessings and calculate a day for moving to the Longevity Palace..."

"Seclusion again?"

Just after finishing, Prince Yu knew he had made a slip of the tongue, and changed his words, "Wang Yan came out of the palace. After seeing the Father Emperor, he came to see the Prince on the Father Emperor's order. I think it should be related to him."

Xu Jie nodded: "This old minister thinks so too. Recently, the news of Hu Zongxian running the fleet and maritime trade has spread widely. Today, someone even submitted a memorial to impeach him, saying that Wang Yan is the true leader of the fleet and that Wang Yan should be investigated."

Prince Yu now understood why Wang Yan opened fire directly on Xu Jie, because Wang Yan was going to make trouble again. For these southerners, Wang Yan naturally wouldn't give a good face.

"What do the three teachers think?"

Gao Gong had a face of compassion: "The Japanese pirates are going to be in chaos again. How many years have we fought? We finally beat them down, and now they are making trouble again..."

Zhang Juzheng said: "This time, the wealthy families in the Southeast have gone too far. Wang Yan is just running a fleet with Hu Zongxian; it didn't affect their business, yet they insisted on making things reach this point."

This belongs to talking nonsense with eyes open; his attitude of supporting Wang Yan is written on his face.

He is a reformist, right? He doesn't know if Wang Yan is doing well or correctly, but he knows that the development of the wealthy families must be curbed. The wealthy families in the Southeast have indeed gone too far; they have been making money along with the Japanese pirates for as long as the Japanese pirates have been making trouble.

According to information from various channels, Hu Zongxian's fleet now has more than three thousand people and over a thousand troops, enough to run rampant at sea. And Wang Yan is still asking the Eastern Depot and Embroidered Uniform Guard to find information on treasure ships, wanting to rebuild them.

All these actions show that Wang Yan wants to strengthen the fleet and blockade the sea borders. His intention to target the wealthy families in the Southeast is no longer hidden.

Zhang Juzheng supports Wang Yan on this matter because he sees the benefits brought by Wang Yan's fleet. The wealthy families in the Southeast have been smuggling for a hundred years, and we haven't seen them make the common people live a good life anywhere. Wang Yan has been smuggling for two years, and the grain price in Shuntian Prefecture has stabilized. Who is good and who is bad, how can it not be clear?

Gao Gong also holds an opposing opinion. He is a northerner from the inland, right? He doesn't have much involvement with sea merchants.

Only Xu Jie's attitude is unclear.

The four of them discussed it for a while, and the food prepared for Wang Yan was ready, so Prince Yu ate with them.

"This was prepared for Wang Yan." Prince Yu said amusingly.

"This old minister will eat more today." Xu Jie responded jokingly, as if he were really generous.

Just at this time, Feng Bao walked in.

Without hiding anything, he reported the news directly.

"Master, the news the servant just received is that after Wang Yan left the Prince's mansion, he went to the Imperial Bank headquarters and ordered the selection of suitable people to go to Fujian and Guangdong to open branches. At the same time, he also ordered the printing of an additional one million guan of treasure notes."

Everyone looked up suddenly, all staring straight at Feng Bao.

Making Feng Bao feel very uncomfortable...

?? Daily thanks to the good brothers who reward, vote for monthly tickets, recommendation tickets, and silently read the book for their strong support! ===== CHAPTER 1547 =====