Chapter 58: Utterly Disappointed

Everyone was furious, and their gazes toward Jiang Xuan were all wrong.

"Yellow-mouthed child, speaking without shame!"

"A mere White-clothed, where do you get the gall to be so arrogant?"

Don't look at these wealthy men as having money; in this era, their status really isn't high, so it is actually quite common for them to be pointed at and scolded by these pedantic scholars. Unless one has truly reached the level of a Powerful Clan, they cannot cultivate scholars within their own homes to elevate their social standing. However, who wants to be scolded, especially by a greenhorn like this?

Facing the angry glares of so many people, Jiang Xuan was completely unafraid and coldly snorted: "I have studied the Art of War for many years. One who is to be a commander should offer his skills to princes and marquises; how can you lot compare to me?"

"Presumptuous!"

Liu Zheng slammed his wine cup onto the ground and glared coldly at Jiang Xuan: "Offer your skills to princes and marquises? What a big mouth you have! Why don't you tell me, what have you offered in these past few days? Aside from eating and drinking for free at the County Marquis Mansion, what have you accomplished?"

"Boundlessly arrogant, with no one in your eyes!"

"To be a commander, one must first be a person; to be a person, one must first know etiquette! Which of the uncles and elders present is not your senior? How can we tolerate you being so insulting?"

"Born as humans, why distinguish between noble and base? You read a few rotten books and think you are a cut above others?"

"In my eyes, you are not even as good as a stink bug!"

Liu Zheng was so angry he could barely breathe, and he didn't know if bringing this Jiang Xuan along was right or wrong. Could it be that he was truly helping the shoots grow by pulling them? He knew Jiang Xuan had talent, but his temperament was too sharp, which was bad for him, so he wanted to keep him by his side to discipline him properly.

He hadn't expected this kid to become spoiled by favor, daring to disrespect him on such an occasion.

"Good!"

"Well said, Young Master!"

Liu Zheng's words drew cheers from the whole room. After all, as the son of a County Marquis, Liu Zheng not only held official status but could also inherit his title; his status and position were completely different from the people here. It was truly not easy for him to say such things.

"I, I, I..."

Jiang Xuan was also startled by Liu Zheng, his expression changing several times.

"Good! The Young Master distinguishes between good and evil!"

Qin Zhangfeng, watching from the side, was beaming with joy, even raising a cup of wine from afar, specifically to provoke Jiang Xuan.

Liu Zheng shook his head.

In fact, he wanted to arrange for Jiang Xuan to join the Chamber of Commerce to have him follow Zheng Yue Ru, learn some worldly wisdom, and temper his character. And most importantly... did they really think the Chamber of Commerce was just a Chamber of Commerce, and the army was just an army?

No!

Since ancient times, in any place, all the wars that have occurred—what you see is the smoke and fire of battle, but what you don't see are the companies providing logistics and information support!

Companies!

This was not only the commercial Empire Liu Zheng planned, but also a massive machine serving war. Since he intended to discipline Jiang Xuan, he naturally let him come into contact with these things first, but he had only told Zheng Yue Ru about this idea and could not explain it to Jiang Xuan.

On the other hand...

People have always thought the army is the most disciplined and efficient organization. However, it is not! The efficiency of the army is external and mandatory. But the efficiency of a company is endogenous and proactive. In many cases in later generations, the army, known as the most efficient organization, had to start learning management from companies. One must know that the West Point Military Academy of later generations was even rated as the best business school.

Therefore, the marketplace is like a battlefield, and it is even more cruel than a battlefield.

Putting Jiang Xuan in the marketplace to gain experience was the best Method at present.

It was just that, at the moment, Jiang Xuan could not grasp Liu Zheng's painstaking efforts.

"Apologize to the uncles and elders!"

Liu Zheng stood up and shouted coldly.

Upon hearing this, everyone hurriedly tried to smooth things over, all saying forget it, children speak without taboo. Besides, although Jiang Xuan was still a White-clothed, his reputation was not small, especially his four strategies—who in Yangzhou didn't know them? If Lu Zhengyi had adopted his strategies at the time, whether Liu Zheng could have entered Yinzhou would have been a matter of debate. Compared to him, these people were truly just commoners.

"Quick, Jiang Xuan, apologize to the Young Master!"

Zheng Yue Ru also hadn't expected such a thing to happen and hurriedly came to Jiang Xuan's side, whispering.

In her impression, this was the first time Liu Zheng had been this angry. It also showed that this kid Jiang Xuan actually held a very important place in Liu Zheng's heart.

Jiang Xuan, however, had a stubborn temper and held his head high: "No! I would rather join the army as a foot soldier than be ashamed to be grouped with you merchants!"

The whole room was in an uproar again, with constant angry scolding.

Liu Zheng said in a fit of rage: "Fine, if that's the case, Captain Qin!"

Qin Zhangfeng stepped out: "Zhangfeng is here!"

"Starting today, Jiang Xuan is assigned to the Militia to participate in farming affairs!"

"Yes!"

Qin Zhangfeng did not hide the wild laughter on his face at all and dragged the struggling Jiang Xuan away.

"Everyone, please continue!"

Liu Zheng had drunk quite a bit of wine and, having suffered this irritation, had a headache; everyone understood this very well and rose one after another to see him off.

Zheng Yue Ru hurriedly followed, hesitated for a moment, and gently supported the staggering Liu Zheng, saying softly: "Brother Liu, Jiang Xuan is still young after all..."

Liu Zheng snorted: "Young? He is sixteen, already an adult! Back then, General Huo Qubing was able to kill hundreds of miles into enemy territory at seventeen, and eight hundred men sent the Xiongnu fleeing in all directions! And him?"

He shook his head.

He was thinking in his heart that if Jiang Xuan could not become a talent, he should make plans early and look for another commander. But in this era, the general level of education was not high; where could he find such talent?

"Brother Liu is too tired, you should rest well."

Zheng Yue Ru sent Liu Zheng back to his room before leaving.

And at this moment.

Yangzhou County Marquis Mansion.

Qian Buqun and Cheng Dai looked at each other, staring blankly.

Compared to the nearby Liu Mansion, this County Marquis Mansion was truly cold and desolate.

"This is outrageous, this is outrageous, I am the County Marquis!"

Qian Buqun felt like dying; this was a title he had learned from Liu Dahao and donated two million taels to obtain, so why was he not respected?

Cheng Dai also let out a sorrowful cry: "My Lord, from now on, if you and I muddle along together, we might still be able to preserve our lives!"

Qian Buqun was a good-for-nothing to begin with, and hearing this, his sorrow grew even deeper. Indeed, the Counselors, Executives, and even the Garrison of the County Marquis Mansion had all run off to the Liu Mansion side. Even if he sent a letter to Liangzhou, what could he possibly do?

Or rather, in this situation, would Liu Zheng let him live long enough to get the letter to Liangzhou Prefecture?

Just surviving!

Just hanging on!

Qian Buqun was beyond tears.

……

Time passed quickly.

In the blink of an eye, the Little New Year had arrived.

Over these past few days, Qian Buqun had been very well-behaved; it seemed he had accepted his fate as a puppet. Seeing this, Liu Zheng found it hard to make things too difficult for him. He let go of the reins, allowing him to enjoy himself in peace at the County Marquis Mansion... Suddenly, Liu Zheng felt something was off. Why did he feel like he was raising another father?

He gave a bitter smile, thinking it didn't matter, as long as he was obedient!

Meanwhile, the Chamber of Commerce had entered a stage of true integration.

On their own, these wealthy men really couldn't grasp the theoretical knowledge. But once combined with practice, some things were understood in an instant. Practice truly is the source of truth! Under the management of Zheng Yue Ru, the Chamber of Commerce had slowly gotten on the right track.

In reality, there was quite a lot to do.

First, there was the integration and allocation of the merchant caravans belonging to these Powerful Clans and wealthy men. Which direction they headed, what the costs were, and how to set prices—all of these required careful consideration.

Second, there was the establishment of workshops. The Powerful Clans who invested a certain amount also secured production rights; they would act as agents to produce goods for the Shen Gong Workshop, which would then be collectively priced, distributed, and sold by the Chamber of Commerce. Although this agency production model was attached to the company, profits were calculated independently. Therefore, following Liu Zheng's instructions, these Powerful Clans built those workshops and factories in Yinzhou, making Yinzhou, a place of no governance, unprecedentedly lively.

The iron ore had been snatched back, and the Yinzhou Plow had begun large-scale production. As a result, not only could the farmers of Yinzhou use the Yinzhou Plow, but even Yangzhou could be supplied.

Large-scale production had truly begun.

And on this day, what excited Liu Zheng, who was supervising the construction of workshops in Yinzhou, was that Liang Erfu had returned!

Hearing this news, Liu Zheng excitedly went out of the city to welcome him, and when he saw Liang Erfu's appearance, his eyes instantly welled up with tears.

Over the past month or so, Liang Erfu had lost a whole circle of weight; his eye sockets were sunken, his body was covered in dust, and one look told you he had been rushing back without a moment's rest. When he saw Liu Zheng, his dull eyes finally brightened, and he called out "Young Master" a few times.

"Quick, quick, quick, call a physician!"

Liu Zheng felt immense heartache.

Looking at the horse, there were two large bags of things; it seemed the harvest was quite bountiful. But Liu Zheng had no heart to look, watching Liang Erfu on the bed nervously.

After the physician diagnosed him and said that Counselor Liang was suffering from extreme exhaustion and needed plenty of rest, Liu Zheng finally felt at ease.

But unexpectedly, after a bowl of herbal medicine was fed to him, Liang Erfu woke up. On that dark, swarthy face, he broke into a smile: "Young Master, I found it!"

"Erfu, you've worked hard!"

Only then did Liu Zheng order someone to open those two bags. Inside, they were full of Sweet Potato, making Liu Zheng's eyes light up.

He had deliberately waited until now to take them out because he wanted to share this joy with Liang Erfu. Because he knew that Liang Erfu had wanted to return before the spring plowing, which had led to him nearly working himself to death... Such a person who cared for the common people was worthy of his respect!

"It's it!"

It was really found!

Liu Zheng's excitement at this moment was no less than his feeling when he got those three hundred and eighty taels of silver! A large Sweet Potato looked so adorable now.

Although Liang Erfu hadn't found potatoes this time... this was, after all, within Liu Zheng's expectations, but what lay before him were several different varieties of Sweet Potato!

"Erfu, have you tasted this?"

Liu Zheng said, moved.

Hearing this, Liang Erfu tumbled off the bed with a thud and kowtowed to the ground: "Young Master has great talent; this thing is unparalleled for filling the belly. On the road, on the road I ate a few... they were sweet and delicious, but Young Master, did you know, in Shu, this thing... a little is used for medicine, and the rest is all used to feed pigs!"

These words were spoken with immense desolation, and Liang Erfu's face was streaked with tears.

Liu Zheng also sighed.

Shu had plenty of grain; that was truly a gift from the heavens, completely incomparable. It was determined by the climate and environment.

Liu Zheng hurriedly helped Liang Erfu up, his face full of confidence: "Erfu, now Yinzhou has Sweet Potato, it can feed the world!"

Liang Erfu fell into a deep sleep with a smile on his face.

"My son, what is this?"

Liu Dahao looked at it curiously.

Liu Zheng gave him a look of disdain; his old man was truly getting fatter and fatter. That sense of having a father in Yinzhou and a good-for-nothing in Yangzhou welled up again.

"Good stuff, food!"

Liu Zheng said.

As soon as Liu Dahao heard it was food, his eyes shone brightly: "How do you eat it? Come, let your old man have a taste!"

Liu Zheng glared at him: "Go back to the mansion and drink your wine; I need these to cultivate seedlings!"

"Seedlings?"

Liu Dahao looked completely bewildered.

Liu Zheng shook his head. In this era, people were still in the relatively primitive agricultural stage of sowing seeds, and naturally, they had no understanding of seedlings.

He was not in a hurry, and after waiting a few more days, Liang Erfu's health slowly recovered.

"Young Master has worried for me! However, although there is this Sweet Potato fruit, Erfu did not find any seeds..."

Liang Erfu expressed his gratitude to Liu Zheng, who came to see him every day, and his face was full of shame and regret.

Liu Zheng laughed heartily and patted him on the shoulder: "The next part is when you need to worry! Come with me!"

"Ah?"

Liang Erfu was stunned.

Can you play without seeds?

【Author's Note】

Three chapters delivered. Everyone, keep up the momentum with the requests for more; if you request more tomorrow, I'll explode with four chapters!