lcionline Chapter 506 An Ordinary Old Man
Chapter 506 An Ordinary Old Man
Shen Changgong was a prince, but he had to work so hard just to eat a pear and had to discuss it with an old farmer for a long time. This would be unimaginable for any powerful person in other countries.
If other powerful people saw the food and wanted to eat it, their subordinates would force them to buy it. If it was good, they would leave some money and let them go. If it was slightly worse, they would just rob it and let them go. The worst case scenario was that they would rob the food, stab the person to death, and throw him down the mountain.
Of course, the old man didn't recognize the royal robe. He only knew that Shen Changgong was wearing brocade clothes, had guards around him, and spoke politely. He thought he was a young master from some family who came out to play.
Tu Que Ling walked forward, took out ten taels of silver from his pocket and handed it over, saying,
"Is it enough?"
In the wealthy country of Qi, prices are cheap and the purchasing power of silver is strong.
A steamed bun or a pancake only cost one cent, which was equivalent to the purchasing power of one dollar in later generations.
One tael of silver is equivalent to one thousand wen, and ten taels are equivalent to ten thousand wen.
Tu Que Ling is equivalent to taking out ten thousand yuan to buy someone else's basket of pears and a basket of candied dates.
"It's too much. Half an ounce of silver is enough. The girl gave too much. I can't accept it."
"Take it if you give it to me. I don't have any change, so the extra money is your reward. We are officials."
"Ah? It really is an official."
The old man took the silver and looked at it. Seeing the official seal on it, he was even more afraid to accept it.
Tu Queling didn't argue with him and just asked the guards to pick it up.
"Everyone who sees it shall have a share and eat it."
Shen Changgong smiled.
The guards opened the baskets and each took out a pear and some candied dates to eat.
The old man was a little surprised. This young man kept saying that he wanted to eat it, but after buying it, he didn't eat it. What was going on?
How could he know that every bite of food Shen Changgong ate and every sip of water he drank had to be tested for poison by someone.
After the guards had finished eating and there was nothing unusual, Shen Changgong picked up a tribute pear, put it in his mouth and took a bite. The sweet juice entered his mouth, refreshing his heart.
The old man stood there awkwardly, scratched his head and said,
"Sir, if you are alright, I will go home."
"Don't be anxious, come, sit down and chat for a while."
Shen Changgong rarely chats with ordinary people, and he also wants to know more about what the common people are thinking.
Those who are high and mighty do not understand the suffering of the people. Those who live a life of luxury and debauchery will only wonder why the people do not eat meat, and then they will come up with some shitty decisions on the slap of their foreheads.
"Grandpa, how old are you this year?"
"Official, what does 'Gui Geng' mean?"
The old man sat next to Shen Changgong and asked.
The guards did not stop him or advise him, because Shen Changgong himself was a top master. If someone wanted to attack him, the other person would definitely suffer.
"That's how old you are."
"Oh, I'm fifty-three."
"Oh, you're older than my dad. Are you still strong?"
"Hey, I'm still strong. My home is at the foot of Mount Tai, not far from Linzi. The feng shui is good, and the water and soil are good for health.
Since I was little, I've been eating Gongli pears and candied dates. Hey, the older I get, the stronger I get. Fortune tellers say I'll live to be a hundred."
The old man smiled cunningly and took the opportunity to sell his products to the official in charge of the imperial palace supplies.
Shen Changgong heard it, laughed and said,
"How's life, old man? After the change of dynasties, the government hasn't made things difficult for you?"
"The government? It's fine, it's fine."
The old man hesitated to speak, his eyes evasive.
"Don't be afraid, sir. I'm a high-ranking official and won't report you. On the contrary, if any official bullies you, I will punish the corrupt officials and stand up for you."
"Really?"
"Fidelity."
"Well, since you seem like a good person, I'll be frank with you. Those bastards are still the same. They just changed dynasties and it's time to collect taxes during the autumn harvest.
When I went to the city, I saw a notice to reassure the people that the tax rate was still 10%, but when the officials came to collect the tax, they wanted to collect 23%, saying that there was a war and the treasury was tight, so they had to collect more to feed the soldiers on the front line.
Humph, do you really think that I, an old man, am stupid? Don’t you understand? It’s obvious that they are just enriching themselves, paying 10% to the court, and keeping the remaining 13% in their own pockets.
They didn't keep all of this money for themselves, but had to hand over a large portion to the higher-ups as tributes. Why? Because the higher-ups decided whether they could continue to serve as county magistrates or minor officials.
There is more above the above.
Everyone eats, eats together, hey, the common people are suffering."
The old man smiled bitterly, pulled out his pipe, put some raw tobacco into it, lit it, and took a deep puff.
Shen Changgong nodded and said,
"The problem you mentioned is indeed very serious, but the Yan court has already issued a decree that criminals for three generations will not be allowed to take the imperial examinations, and without the imperial examinations, they cannot become officials.
Nowadays, the officials in Qi are still the old bureaucrats, and they have been suffering from long-term problems. Once the situation is stabilized, they will definitely be liquidated.
Once the government decrees are fully implemented, even if there aren't any such officials left, at least they will be more restrained.
When the time comes, let the emperor print a batch of imperial edicts. Any common people can go to the capital to meet His Majesty and file a complaint with the authorities. Anyone who obstructs them will be executed along with their entire clan.”
Shen Changgong's tone was flat, but it was indeed deafening to the old man's ears.
The old man was silent for a long time, took another puff, and sighed,
"Hopefully."
He didn't really hold out much hope.
Because all officials in the world are the same.
Shen Changgong asked again,
"Does the old man have any relatives at home?"
"My wife is still alive, and we have a daughter-in-law and a granddaughter. My son was drafted this year and sent to Linzi City to serve as a soldier. He will fight against the Yan people and guard the city walls."
Upon hearing this, Shen Changgong sighed. The old man's only son was gone just like that. How would the family survive?
"My condolences, old man."
"Hmm? Why should I, an old man, express my condolences? Look at what you, a young man, are saying. My son is still alive.
A few months ago, he asked someone to bring back a message saying that he was now assigned to the Yuying Army and was following the Empress of the previous dynasty.
Last month, he asked a literate person in the barracks to write a letter home, saying that he had fought two battles in the south, both of which were great victories, and had received rewards and military merits.
He also sent back the letter and the reward money, which was a full three taels of silver. I used the money to make cotton-padded clothes for my daughter-in-law and granddaughter."
Shen Changgong: ...
Damn, he’s not dead, what a waste of emotion.
He said again,
"Now that the Yan army has reformed its military system, whether it's a civilian or a general, anyone who can perform meritorious service will receive a share of the military merit and a reward. This should be fairer and no one will embezzle, right?"
The old man sighed and said,
"I don't understand the military merit system. I just want to ask you one question: are military merits reported by lower-ranking officers to higher-ranking officers?"