The world of film and television begins with the God of Medicine.

Chapter 1514 Tan Lun
The people of Chun'an were very happy.

With the grain loaned by the textile bureau, the people returned to their homes to plant mulberry trees. Some houses were still habitable, while others had collapsed, but it didn't matter; they could simply set up sheds or stay with wealthy families in the village for a while.

Because the Third Master kept his promise and had begun building houses in the villages surrounding the county town. Even if a family didn't have the money to buy timber for the beams, it didn't matter; the county government had provided a loan to purchase the wood. Once the mulberry trees and silkworms had yielded a harvest, they could repay the county government along with the borrowed grain.

In fact, there was no rush to repay this loan; it was for a three-year term. Furthermore, due to the disaster, land taxes were waived for two years. As long as everyone managed their land well, they could generally repay the loan by the time the harvest came the following year, and the year after that, they would have surplus grain, and life would naturally improve…

Many of them traveled a long way to the villages around the county town to see the red brick houses with their own eyes. Everyone who saw them couldn't stop smiling with longing.

Of course, they didn't just look at houses; they also went to the dock to see the mountains of timber that could be used as beams, the brick kilns with their fires constantly emitting smoke, and watched as brick blanks were sent into the kiln and then as red bricks were pulled out of the kiln, loaded onto trucks, and driven away. They even wanted to touch them and feel the temperature of the red bricks.

Next to the brick factory, there was a kiln entrance, guarded by local militia who prevented anyone from getting close.

Zhu Qi held the cement ash in his hands, letting it slip through his fingers: "Such good stuff is such a waste to use it to build houses for these people."

Wang Yan merely smiled slightly at such blatantly predatory remarks, offering no comment, while others began to criticize him.

Sure enough, Hai Rui, standing nearby, immediately glared angrily and said, "Mr. Zhu Qi's words are completely unreasonable. The things we research are meant to be used by the people. Isn't it a waste if someone else uses them? How is it wrong to use them by the people?"

Zhu Qi smiled slightly at Hai Rui, knowing that no one could persuade Hai Rui when he was in a bad mood, so he ignored him and turned to Wang Yan, saying, "This thing is a powerful tool for construction and fortification, and it is of great use to both the army and the country. Yesterday I ordered someone to send it to the capital at full speed to report to His Majesty. I have also written down Brother Wang's suggestion of royal monopoly in detail. If this cement is chosen, you will certainly receive a reward."

"What benefits or drawbacks, Seventh Master? I just want to better share the burdens of His Majesty."

Hai Rui looked on with disgust, utterly unable to bear the sight: "If it were truly a royal monopoly, would the common people still be able to use it?"

"Although this material is more expensive to produce than mortar, sand, and clay, it is cheaper and more durable because it requires the addition of sand. As long as those in charge of the business are less greedy, the common people can certainly afford it. This material is for construction purposes, so how can we prevent the common people from using it? Besides, if the common people don't use it, where will they make money?"

Hai Rui couldn't help but glare at Wang Yan again: "I thought you were truly devoted to the people!"

"Your Excellency has misled me," Wang Yan shook his head repeatedly. "Does Your Excellency know that what is free is not necessarily the best? If we give the people grain for free, who will farm? If we give them bricks and cement for free, who will be willing to work and save money? If we give them things for free, how will the people who produce cement and bricks make money? Will the imperial court pay them? Where does the imperial court's money come from? Isn't it paid by the people?"

This is a cycle...

In front of Zhu Qi, Wang Yan took the opportunity to talk to them about economics and the cycle of income and expenditure.

"In today's court situation, it's like we officials are manipulating things from top to bottom, while the big households below are harming the local area and hiding land ownership, causing tax revenue to decrease year by year. In order to maintain expenditures, we have to raise taxes year after year, and these taxes are all added to the farmers who still own land, making it harder and harder for them to live."

For Chun'an County, we shouldn't be building houses for free for the people; we should be encouraging them to buy them. If they buy bricks, stones, and cement, our kilns can make money, which they can then use for other things, like road construction.

When repairing roads, we can avoid levying labor service and instead hire workers with silver. In this way, the people earn money, and then buy all sorts of things, which our county government collects taxes on, and the money returns to the government.

Of course, it's unrealistic to expect people to buy bricks and cement to build their own houses. They'd rather live in mud houses than waste that money. As long as they can get shelter from the wind and rain, that's enough for them. They're all good people..."

Seeing Wang Yan's sighing expression, Hai Rui couldn't help but sigh as well: "Wang Yan's words are insightful and hit the nail on the head regarding the current advantages and disadvantages of our Great Ming. I never expected that Wang Yan would have the talent of a prime minister. If he passes the imperial examination and reforms the laws in the future, he may be able to save our Great Ming from its current predicament."

Wang Yan waved his hand and said, "Your Excellency thinks too highly of me. I dare not speak such words lightly. Reforms and changes can kill people. Can I reform officials, or can I reform the gentry and wealthy families in the countryside? As the saying goes, cutting off someone's livelihood is like killing their parents. If I don't let them make money, do you think they will forgive me?"

"My lord, many can see the problems, but how many can actually solve them? Take this conversion of rice paddies to mulberry fields, for example. Everyone, from top to bottom, saw the problems. In the end, wasn't it Shen Yishi, the one working for the textile bureau, who risked his life to solve them?"

Seeing Hai Rui looking over, Zhu Qi shook his head: "We really did send him back to Hangzhou, we didn't do anything else."

"He didn't let those people make any money, Master Tang! He's existed for so many years just to help people earn money. Now he's turned the tables and won't let others make any. Do you think he can survive?"

"Which people?"

"Yan's faction, various government offices in Zhejiang, the weaving bureau, major silk producers, and even the Imperial Wardrobe—so many people were hoping to make a fortune from this conversion of rice paddies to mulberry fields. Now, Shen Yishi has taken matters into his own hands, falsely claiming an imperial edict, and has distributed all the grain intended for the purchase of the land as relief. No one can make that much money anymore, tsk tsk."

Wang Yan sighed, "To be honest, it's Mr. Shen who is truly righteous, saving the people of Chun'an and Jiande counties. Of course, it's mainly due to His Majesty's great kindness."

Zhu Qi shook his head with amusement: "No need to make amends, I don't hold it against you. The whole matter has already been reported, and since His Majesty knows about it, he won't blame you for speaking well of Shen Yishi."

The people of Chun'an were happy, and the officials were relieved. However, the turmoil caused by Shen Yishi was only just beginning. The emperor and the Directorate of Ceremonial in the capital, Yan Song, Yan Shifan, Prince Yu, Xu Jie, Gao Gong, Zheng Bichang and He Maocai in Zhejiang, other members of Yan Song's faction, and Yang Jinshui of the Jiangnan Textile Bureau were all in complete chaos.

Because the conversion of rice paddies to mulberry fields could not be implemented.

The original plan to convert rice paddies to mulberry fields was not just about producing an additional 300,000 bolts of silk, but also about taking over 500,000 mu of land in the two counties, making a profit from the price difference of 40 shi per mu, so that everyone could get rich together, and squeezing every drop of blood from the people of the two counties.

That's no longer possible, because now the rice paddies have truly been converted to mulberry trees. The people in both counties have indeed planted mulberry seedlings, and as a result, people in related industries are earning less, and even officials are not making money anymore. Of course, everyone is unhappy.

Moreover, the Yan faction, led by Yan Song and his son, had put in a great deal of effort to advance this matter. Now that things had come to this, Prince Yu and his associates naturally wanted to seize the opportunity to launch an attack and kick them while they were down.

In the original drama, the matter of colluding with Japanese pirates caused a lot of trouble. Even after Shen Yishi had distributed all the grain for disaster relief, He Maocai personally went to Chun'an to force Hai Rui to bow down, but he was rebuffed and returned in disgrace.

Now that Wang Yan is so audacious, He Maocai certainly doesn't dare to come to Chun'an. He's afraid that Wang Yan will arrest him too, and then he'll be finished.

Moreover, on the other hand, there is also a special task force here investigating the Xin'anjiang corruption case. They also came here to make a show of things, and Wang Yan handed over all the evidence he had to them. This is also part of the struggle between the two parties.

Now, the people in Chun'an and Jiande counties are the most leisurely, and if we're talking about the most leisurely person in these two counties, it has to be Wang Yan.

He spent his days either burning sand or painting and writing calligraphy. He even specially wrote the Tao Te Ching and entrusted Zhu Qi to deliver it as a gift for the emperor's birthday next year. After all, by next year, he might no longer have a direct channel to contact the palace...

On this day, a thin man with a goatee appeared in the yamen and was seen by Wang Yan, who was returning home for dinner.

A minor official said, "Third Master, this is the First Master's friend."

Wang Yan stepped forward and cupped his hands in greeting: "Since you are a friend of the magistrate, you are also my friend. I am Wang Yan, courtesy name Ziyan, registrar of Chun'an. Greetings, sir." "I am Tan Lun, courtesy name Zili, a military advisor under Minister Hu. I have long admired your esteemed name, Prince Ziyan. Even His Highness Prince Yu has praised your work in Chun'an. It's a pleasure to finally meet you today, hahaha..."

"It's already dinner time, so please join me for a meal, Tan. Let's have a few drinks and have a good chat about how His Highness Prince Yu praised me."

Now that you mention it, I am indeed hungry.

"The people in the yamen are outrageous. How dare they treat the lord's friend so disrespectfully? I will definitely teach them a lesson tomorrow."

"It's my fault for not wanting them to cause trouble, so you can't blame them. After spending some time together, you should know Ruxian's temper. I'm quite afraid of him. I was hoping to wait for him to come back so I could have a meal with him."

"I admire your perseverance to the fullest extent. But if I were to do it myself, I'm afraid I would never be able to do it in my entire life."

As they spoke, the two arrived at Wang Yan's courtyard. Right under the pavilion, a table was already set with wine and dishes.

"Third Master, you've come at the perfect time. The last dish has just been served." The clerk said with a smile.

"Alright, go ahead." Wang Yan waved his hand casually, and the clerk obediently left.

Looking at the food and wine on the table, Tan Lun asked in surprise, "Brother Wang, doesn't Ruxian know that you eat like this every day?"

“I know, he never touches a bite, he only eats the porridge and wild vegetables from the government office.” Wang Yan patiently explained the origin of his meal, mainly about his suppression of the local wealthy families.

"My esteemed brother is truly extraordinary." Tan Lun said with great admiration, "I'd like to offer you a toast."

“It should be me who respects my elder brother,” Tan Lun said, showing his closeness. Wang Yan naturally seized the opportunity.

After some polite refusals, the two drank a few glasses of wine.

Tan Lun asked, "Brother, do you know that the Emperor knows your name?"

"How could I not know? I was the one who exposed the corruption in Xin'an River. I also arrested the officials and soldiers of the river management office, and they haven't been released yet. I heard that Zheng Bichang and He Maocai sent an urgent message, accusing me of harboring Japanese pirates and harboring evil intentions. These two are truly in cahoots and are extremely harmful..."

“Indeed.” Tan Lun agreed with Wang Yan’s statement. “They are indispensable in everything here. This time, the conversion of rice paddies to mulberry fields failed, and they are just making a last-ditch effort.”

“I think so too.” Wang Yan nodded with a smile. “I reckon the Japanese pirates will cause trouble again. When we run out of military funds, we’ll raid their homes first.”

"That's not right. If anyone's going to be confiscated, it should be Shen Yishi's house. This man thinks he's clever and is trying to save his life by falsely claiming imperial orders. But he can't make money off the common people, so he'll try to make it off them. This man's days are numbered."

"Well... to be honest, I'm very grateful to this Shen Yishi."

"We should be grateful. Without him, no matter how much trouble you cause, you won't be able to stop the conversion of rice paddies to mulberry fields." Tan Lun wasn't optimistic about the power of his group either, because ultimately, what they wanted was money.

If Prince Yu and his clique wanted to use this opportunity to bring down Yan Song, they would have to come up with a huge sum of money before even considering it. After all, Yan Song and his son were all about making money.

Tan Lun didn't elaborate, but instead asked, "Do you know that Grand Secretary Yan and the Junior Grand Secretary also know your name?"

"I know, I've ruined a lot of their plans, how could I not know?"

"You are not afraid?"

Seeing Wang Yan smile and shake his head while eating heartily, Tan Lun pressed on, "Why aren't you afraid?"

"Grand Secretary Yan is eighty years old," Wang Yan said. "He's already getting dizzy and his days are numbered. And with Prince Yu trying to bring down Yan, what do I have to fear?"

"You see things quite clearly. What are your plans for the future?"

"How dare I think about the future? I'll work with you, Master Tang, to manage Chun'an well, let the people live a good life, and I'll also earn some money. I'll make back the money I used to buy this official position."

"You're just too eager for quick success. What's wrong with studying for a few more years?"

"It's all the same. In fact, it's safer for me to be a minor official. Zheng Bichang, He Maocai, and the former Hangzhou Tongzhi Luo Zhengwen are all cautionary tales."

"I don't see you as someone who preys on the common people..."

Tan Lun was an honest official and also someone who was not greedy for money.

Wang Yan shook his head: "Making money doesn't necessarily have to be done by taking it from the common people, brother. What is the duty of us officials? It is to suppress the local people and make them obey the orders of the court. However, in reality, the power in these places is in the hands of the wealthy families. So our duty is to take power away from the wealthy families and make them behave themselves."

If this is achieved, regardless of whether one is corrupt or not, the place can be well-governed. If this is not achieved, no matter how honest one is, it is useless to the people.

"Brother's words are insightful and thought-provoking, truly enlightening..."

Wang Yan waved his hand, changing the subject: "May I ask what brings you here, brother?"

"I've arranged for someone to bring Ruxian's wife, daughter, and mother over so I can also meet with Ruxian. Speaking of which, Brother Xian, I hope you'll take good care of Ruxian's wife, daughter, and mother from now on."

"Why should I take care of them? I already know your reputation for filial piety. If I were to suggest arranging food and drink for them, you'd probably be blocking my door and yelling at me..."

Tan Lun laughed heartily: "It's like something Ru Xian would do..."

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