Chapter 581 Encountering Qingwu by chance!

Although the results of relevant reforms are very gratifying, a great man once said that when the profit reaches 10%, they will be ready to move; when the profit reaches 50%, they will take risks; when the profit reaches one time, they dare to trample on all human laws; when the profit reaches three times, they dare to risk being hanged...
Therefore, under the temptation of huge profits, many lawless elements who did not obtain licenses secretly opened gambling dens and brothels underground. Regarding this situation, Ye Mingsheng also asked the Coordination Office and the Censorate to establish a special joint operation to carry out a high-pressure crackdown in Youyan and Liaoyang.

Because of this, all of Zhao Sheng's brothels and gambling dens in Yijing were closed down, and Zhao Sheng was reluctant to give up the huge amount of money that the gambling dens and brothels brought him, so Zhao Sheng suddenly had an idea and thought of a good way, which was to move the brothels and gambling dens from Yijing to Yuyang.

Yijing is currently the core ruling area of ​​the Fengwu Army and a demonstration area for Ye Mingsheng to implement reforms. It has a very strong crackdown on various illegal activities. Yuyang, located in the northern border, is relatively worse. In addition, there is a protective umbrella like Gu Shoude, so Zhao Sheng's business in Yuyang is very smooth and its scale is getting bigger and bigger!
Gu Shoude naturally knew everything about what Zhao Sheng had done, but he was also happy to use his family's influence to protect Zhao Sheng. After all, on the one hand he could make a lot of money, and on the other hand it also satisfied his gambling hobby.

Just when Gu Shoude thought that his wonderful life could continue forever, he suddenly got news from Zhao Sheng’s younger brother two days ago that Zhao Sheng was raided by the Coordination Office at his home. Zhao Sheng was arrested on the spot after his failed escape attempt, along with more than a dozen of Zhao Sheng’s key personnel...
After receiving the news, Gu Shoude, who thought that the truth had been revealed, immediately became uneasy. Ever since Ye Mingsheng ruled Youyan, the evil reputation of the Coordination Office had spread rapidly. According to folk rumors, the Coordination Office was a den of evil where people were eaten without leaving any bones.

So even though he knew that he would be severely punished if he reported this matter to his father Gu Zhongshi, but under the notorious reputation of the Coordination Office, he still quietly came to Yijing, hoping that his father Gu Zhongshi, who is now the deputy governor, would come forward to help him settle the matter!

After understanding the whole thing, Gu Zhongshi was very angry and looked at Gu Shoude with disappointment. Although he disliked this eldest son who did nothing but eat, drink, gamble and whore, because of feudal etiquette, Gu Zhongshi still regarded Gu Shoude as his successor. Although he arranged for Gu Shoude to return to his hometown to study, he was also looking for opportunities to arrange for Gu Shoude to take up an official position.

But what Gu Shoude did now really disappointed Gu Zhongshi. Although he is now the deputy governor and his son Gu Shouting is the general of the Fengwu Army, commanding tens of thousands of troops, the Gu family's prestige in Youyan can be said to have reached an unprecedented peak, but Gu Zhongshi knows very well that these are just a matter of Ye Mingsheng's words!
And the most important thing is that Ye Mingsheng is very wary of these aristocratic families. Although he has to rely on their power to stabilize the place, Ye Mingsheng has been suppressing them openly and secretly...
Because of this, during his time as the Governor, although Gu Zhongshi seemed to be in power, he was actually walking on thin ice. He eventually gave up some benefits that he could have gained for fear of giving Ye Mingsheng any handle!
And now what Gu Shoude did had undoubtedly ruined all his previous efforts. Based on Gu Zhongshi's understanding of the Coordination Office, since Zhao Sheng had fallen into the hands of the Coordination Office, his mouth would definitely be pried open. Maybe by now, he had already told everything about Gu Shoude.

Thinking of this, Gu Zhongshi felt a little scared. When Ye Mingsheng had just entered the country, in order to maintain the stability of his foundation, in non-core areas such as Yuyang and Shanggu, Ye Mingsheng mainly relied on local aristocratic families like the Gu family to maintain his rule.

Now that the Fengwu Army has stabilized its rule, Ye Mingsheng has shown signs of gradually taking back power. The illegal behavior of Gu Shoude and Zhao Sheng has undoubtedly given Ye Mingsheng an excuse, and Ye Mingsheng is likely to take this opportunity to take action!
Thinking of this, Gu Zhongshi couldn't help but frown. Gu Shoude, who was still kneeling on the ground, gradually had a bad premonition in his heart. Although he understood that this matter involved a lot of troubles for the Coordination Office, he also believed that his father Gu Zhongshi was the deputy governor and the second-in-command of the Youyan government. As long as his father was willing to come forward, the Coordination Office would have to give face. The final result of this matter would definitely be to make a big thing small and a small thing small!

However, Gu Zhongshi’s gloomy face made him realize that things might not be as simple as he thought.

While Gu Zhongshi and Gu Shoude were talking, in the Baiweizhai private room not far from the Gu Mansion, a middle-aged man in casual clothes with an ordinary face was feasting on a bowl of steaming wontons. Just when he was enjoying his meal, a sturdy young man quietly walked into the private room, sat next to the middle-aged man, and said in a low voice with some apology:

"I'm sorry, Master Baihu, we were a step too late and let Gu Shoude escape into the Gu Mansion!"

After hearing this answer, Zhang Ren, a centurion of the General Coordination Office, said with a gleam in his eyes:
"Are you sure Gu Shoude is in the Gu Mansion?"

"Yes! My men saw with their own eyes that he was approached by Chen Sai, the housekeeper of the Gu Mansion!" Wang Xingqiu said with great regret:
"It's a pity that I only had one man under my command at the time, otherwise I would have captured Gu Shoude right away!"

Zhang Ren continued to eat his wonton soup while thinking while listening to Wang Xingqiu's words. After he finished the wonton soup, he wiped his mouth and said:
"Since Gu Shoude has entered the Gu Mansion, it is not something we can decide. I will report this matter to Director Huo for a decision. You keep an eye on the Gu Mansion. Gu Shoude is a hot potato now. Gu Zhongshi is so cunning and treacherous that he will not hide his son in his own mansion like this!"

"I understand, Master Baihu. I will definitely watch over the Gu Mansion to death!" Wang Xingqiu said solemnly:
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Chen Kee Teahouse
Storyteller Zhang Sanwan is on the stage, speaking passionately
"The clouds have cleared to reveal the sun, the fog has dispersed and the sky is clear. The drought-stricken seedlings are reborn after the timely rain, and the dead trees are revived by the spring breeze. A whip of joy, like a dragon horse heading to Liangshan; a smile on the face, like a tiger soldier returning to the camp. The carts are full of food and grass, and the army is full of surrendered soldiers. The wind blows the flags, and the generals knock on the golden stirrups together; the spring breeze blows across the universe, and everyone sings a triumphant song..."

Many audiences in the audience were also immersed in the wonderful story told by Zhang Sanwan. No one noticed that in the corner of the teahouse, a strong man with a majestic look was sitting opposite a young man with red lips and white teeth and a graceful figure. Both of them were very silent and the atmosphere seemed very awkward.

Looking at Ye Mingsheng in front of her, Murong Qingwu, who was dressed as a man, could vaguely feel her face getting slightly hot. Because the marriage was going very smoothly, Murong Qingwu also came here from Dongning to make the final preparations. Because she had nothing to do today, and she heard that Chen's Teahouse was very good, Murong Qingwu dressed up as a man again to find out what was going on!
Unexpectedly, she met Ye Mingsheng here. Although she accepted her fate of marrying Ye Mingsheng, when she saw Ye Mingsheng so suddenly in the teahouse, Murong Qingwu's heart was still beating fast and she subconsciously wanted to leave. However, at this time, Ye Mingsheng also noticed Murong Qingwu, and their eyes were full of surprise when they met.

Seeing that Ye Mingsheng had discovered her, and thinking that she would be marrying into the Ye family soon, Murong Qingwu plucked up her courage, made up her mind, and walked over to Ye Mingsheng and sat down.

Although she was wearing a men's robe, it still couldn't hide Murong Qingwu's peerless elegance. After quietly admiring Murong Qingwu's little girl's demeanor for a while, Ye Mingsheng smiled and took the initiative to say:

"How are you doing recently? Are you used to coming to Yijing?"

Seeing Ye Mingsheng taking the initiative to open the conversation, Murong Qingwu replied softly: "I have been living very well recently. Yijing is warmer and more prosperous than Dongning!"

After saying this, Murong Qingwu seemed to have thought of something and looked at Ye Mingsheng, carefully considering her words and saying:

“Back when we were in Luoan, you really…”

Seeing Murong Qingwu's cute expression as she carefully sought confirmation, Ye Mingsheng nodded and said with a smile without waiting for her to finish:

"That's right, I had a crush on you back in Luoan!"

Although Pei Zhixiu had told her about this matter before, it was still a little hard to believe. Murong Qingwu always had some doubts about this matter. But now after hearing Ye Mingsheng's personal admission, Murong Qingwu finally felt relieved!

Facing Ye Mingsheng's gaze, Murong Qingwu asked softly:
"What about the portrait?"

Ye Mingsheng smiled bitterly and shook his head and said:

"You even know this? I do have a portrait of you. I'll show it to you if I have a chance!"

After receiving Ye Mingsheng's answer, Murong Qingwu felt very complicated and didn't know what to say. Seeing this, Ye Mingsheng didn't want to say anything more on this embarrassing question, so he just changed the subject and said:
"Qingwu, when you came to Liaoyang before, you must have passed by Yijing. What do you think is the difference between Yijing now and then?"

Facing Ye Mingsheng's question, Murong Qingwu said seriously:

"The difference is really huge. I remember when I followed my father to Yijing, I clearly remembered that under the rule of Zhao Fuqu, the grain price in Yijing was maintained at one tael of silver per stone, which was even the same as that in Luoan. In addition to the grain price, the prices of cloth, salt and other things were also very expensive..."

"The high prices have made life miserable for the common people. Even if they work hard every day, they can only struggle to make ends meet. Just like this teahouse, the people who drank tea and listened to storytelling in the teahouse were all rich people. Now, there are many ordinary people in this teahouse. The fact that they can appear here shows that their food and clothing have been greatly improved!"

At this point Murong Qingwu looked at Ye Mingsheng, and the emotions in her eyes became even more complicated. As a woman who had received traditional education, although Murong Qingwu was extremely intelligent, she could not escape the limitations of the times. She always believed that those in power should emphasize agriculture and suppress commerce, keeping more labor on the land, rather than letting them engage in commercial trade and industrial development.

In her opinion, focusing on commercial development will make farmers attracted by commercial income, which will then lead to agricultural abandonment and cause more crises!

Based on this concept, Murong Qingwu was very pessimistic at first. Ye Mingsheng's policy of advancing agriculture and commerce together and strengthening industry supervision was considered, as she believed that Ye Mingsheng was warmongering and ostentatious, and would sooner or later fall flat on his face!
However, things did not develop as Murong Qingwu had imagined. Although the policies implemented by Ye Mingsheng led some of the labor force to join the industry...
However, under the active encouragement and guidance of Ye Mingsheng, the Second Manufacturing Bureau, which focused on people's livelihood, optimized and improved many agricultural tools, improving the quality and work efficiency of the tools. In addition, it also developed the prototype of chemical fertilizers.

Through trade with the Luobei people, the Fengwu Army obtained a lot of pack horses. These horses were not suitable for combat, but they could be used for transportation and farming, which greatly saved manpower.

Therefore, with the triple blessing of tools, horses and fertilizers, although there is a lack of some working-age labor force, grain production has not decreased but increased. According to the survey statistics of the Chief Secretary, it has increased by about 15% compared with previous years, and there is still a lot of room for further improvement.

After stabilizing the basic agricultural foundation, encouraged by Ye Mingsheng's policies, many young people in Liaoyang and Youyan began to engage in commercial trade, selling goods produced by the Second Manufacturing Bureau. While making money, the Fengwu Army also obtained a lot of means of production from various places, which also promoted sustainable development.

Because of this, under Ye Mingsheng's operation, Liaoyang, which had been at the bottom of the Great Zhou economic ranking for hundreds of years, also began to prosper. People's lives became prosperous, and the common people had food, clothing and shelter. Naturally, there were fewer people making trouble and becoming bandits. Combined with the high-pressure crackdown policy of the Fengwu Army, it is no exaggeration to say that the current public security situation in Liaoyang Youyan can be said to be the best in history...

(End of this chapter)