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

Chapter 1553 Reunion with Hu Zongxian

Hai Rui worked steadily in the Ministry of Revenue for three years, earning little money, but thanks to the assistance of Wang Yan and Wang Yongji, his life was far better than that of ordinary people. His sallow complexion, which he had when he first arrived in Chun'an, was gone.

In the small courtyard where Hai Rui was renting, Wang Yan's men delivered meat, vegetables, and other seasonings. Wang Yan personally cooked two tables of dishes. One table was for Hai Rui's family, and the other was naturally for Wang Yan, Hai Rui, and Wang Yongji.

"You're really something. You invited me to my house for drinks, and now you're the one buying groceries and cooking. But you know what, with your skills, you'll never have to worry about food or drink, no matter where you go in your life. I never get tired of your cooking; it's so much better than my wife's."

Hai Rui complained while praising, and muttered as he ate his food.

Before Wang Yan could speak, Wang Yongji stepped in to comfort him: "Ziyan had no other choice. If we really let your sister-in-law go out to buy things, there's no guarantee that someone won't poison the food. It's better to be safe than sorry. I absolutely support him cooking himself; he cooks better than any chef in a restaurant."

"If you like these things, you'll naturally be willing to delve into them. I haven't done anything else in the past two years except research how to eat. Haven't you seen how much weight my chef has gained? It's all from researching new dishes, eating whatever he wants all day long, which has made him fat."

Wang Yan drank with a smile, "If it's delicious, eat more. It's almost been three years, and I'll be transferred soon. It'll be another year gone, and I don't know when we'll get together again."

Wang Yongji asked in doubt: "Does this mean your destination is already decided?"

“It was decided a long time ago,” Wang Yan said. “Now everyone is trying to get rid of me. His Majesty wants me to stay in the capital, but the cabinet, the six ministries, the nine ministers, and the censorate all say that I’m going to govern in the provinces and they absolutely refuse to let me stay in the capital. Tell me, what kind of logic is this?”

"A bunch of worthless scoundrels, all they care about is the silver from Shuntian Prefecture. It's only because someone tried to take money from the Royal Bank last time that His Majesty had him beaten to death. I bet the paper money is flooding the market again now." Hai Rui grumbled, then asked, "Where has His Majesty assigned you?"

"you guess."

Hai Rui was speechless with emotion, while Wang Yongji laughed heartily. He enjoyed watching Hai Rui suffer setbacks and also liked Wang Yan's playful optimism.

After taking a couple of bites of food and a sip of wine, Hai Rui wiped his beard and asked, "Jiliao?"

"Um……"

Wang Yan, as if drawing out his words like a eunuch, said, "Master Hai's guess was quite accurate. He will be appointed Governor of Jizhou and Commander-in-Chief of the Jiliao Military Affairs, and will leave next month."

Wang Yongji exclaimed in surprise, "Doesn't that mean he'll be promoted to Vice Minister of War and concurrently Right Vice Censor-in-Chief? That's a third-rank official! A high-ranking official in the nation, rising to the top in one step!"

"It's all thanks to His Majesty's trust." Wang Yan cupped his hands towards the direction of the palace. "If it weren't for Xu Jie and the others interfering, I would have been a fourth-rank official three years ago. This time, they also spread rumors and obstructed things, but it was His Majesty's decisive action that allowed me to rise to such a high position. In the end, I must thank His Majesty for his grace and must not let him down."

Wang Yongji was right; Wang Yan had indeed risen to the top in one fell swoop this time. A rank of fourth grade or higher was already a legitimate high-ranking official. To put it another way, it was equivalent to a member of the Party Committee of a high-ranking government office.

Wang Yan went even further, becoming the head of a high-ranking government office, a member of a committee, and an alternate member of the Politburo.

In fact, if it weren't for Xu Jie and others' obstruction, Wang Yan would not be a candidate now, but would have become a full member.

Of course, whether Xu Jie and others actually obstructed the process is something that cannot be said for sure. After all, Xu Jie and others did obstruct it, but only Jiajing knew the extent of their efforts.

In any case, Wang Yan has now reached the very top of the power pyramid in the Ming Dynasty, and is about to become a true regional governor. And he is only twenty-six years old this year.

Ultimately, it comes down to his age. He has risen to his current position through his exceptional abilities, and without a promotion, there's nowhere to place him, no one is willing or dares to be his superior, which has led to the current situation where he has no choice but to be appointed as a regional governor.

Wang Yan believed that if there were any other place where he could be placed, Jiajing would not have agreed to let him ascend the throne so early. After all, the strategies he proposed could be implemented by anyone else, and even if they could not withstand attacks and could not achieve complete success, they would still have some effect.

Wang Yan has reached a high position and is so young, so he has a long time to cultivate his own faction. In addition, he is in good health and can live for another 40 or 50 years. He will become one or two emperors and a veteran of three reigns. Who can control him then?
But now that Wang Yan has come to power, we still have to thank Jiajing for his courage.

Or perhaps Jiajing was also self-centered, only concerned with his own affairs. Before Wang Yan came to power, he could increase Jiajing's power and make him spend more money; now that Wang Yan was in power, the benefits to Jiajing were naturally even greater. At least while Jiajing was in power, Wang Yan would only be his ally, an important force to check and balance those so-called upright officials, ensuring his rule and maintaining the stability of the empire.

He did a pretty good job as emperor, reaching this level. He wasn't exactly a hindrance, even if he didn't surpass his ancestors. After his death, it's no longer his responsibility.

This is a great idea, and it saves you a lot of trouble.

Although Jiajing still dreams of cultivating immortality, he hasn't actually lost his mind; his increasingly weak body is telling him otherwise. Even with Wang Yan's help in recuperating, he's over sixty and can't possibly be the same as he was in his youth.

By this time, Jiajing should have already been trying to accept it...

"At twenty-six years old, you have achieved this level of success. No one in the Great Ming Dynasty can surpass you. His Majesty is wise to allow you to reach this position at such a young age."

Hai Rui also surrendered the direction of the palace, genuinely admiring Jiajing's wisdom, without any suspicion or doubt.

After he finished his sigh, he asked, "Who will succeed you? I suppose it's already been decided?"

Wang Yan smiled slightly and uttered a name that stunned Hai Rui and Wang Yongji...

Tongzhou Wharf was incredibly busy.

This place was already very busy due to its role in supplying the capital and the large volume of goods transported by this megacity. After Wang Yan took power and established Daxing, industry and commerce flourished even more, increasing the demand for goods transportation and making the place even busier.

Once the southeast was pacified, Wang Yan's fleet and navy expanded, and the sea borders were not closed off. Large merchants continued to engage in smuggling, and the volume of goods transported from Tianjin Port to Tongzhou by waterway began to increase dramatically, once again making the Tongzhou docks extremely busy.

In the past two years, the Ministry of Works has undertaken major projects such as dredging waterways, expanding wharves, and repairing the official road to and from Tianjin, which has accelerated the speed of logistics and transportation.

On this day, Wang Yan arrived here and was greeted by a familiar old face.

"Minister Hu, how have you been?"

At fifty-seven years old, Hu Zongxian looked much older than his age. He was no longer the powerful regional official who had been in charge of the anti-Japanese war, nor the third-in-command of the Yan faction. Yan Shifan had long since been beheaded, and Yan Song had died of old age and illness in the forty-seventh year of the Jiajing reign. The Yan faction had also completely collapsed, and Yan Song's influence had vanished with his death.

Despite his advanced age, Hu Zongxian appears remarkably energetic, as if the spirited Hu Zongxian of yesteryear has returned.

It's hard to say whether it was the year he was determined to leave his hometown to take the imperial examinations and make a name for himself, or the year he became a disciple of Yan Song and rose rapidly through the ranks...

Hu Zongxian returned the greeting to Wang Yan and said happily, "It's been five years, and you've become even more handsome and dashing. Congratulations on your promotion, Minister Wang."

"Minister Hu is too kind. I am still a junior in front of you. How can I be worthy of being called Minister?"

“You are indeed the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of War, so there’s no question of whether you are qualified or not.”

Hu Zongxian waved his hand, "Besides, we are equals. My return to serve as the Prefect of Shuntian Prefecture is entirely due to your help."

"No, Minister Hu is mistaken. It is all because His Majesty trusts and values ​​loyalty that Minister Hu has been reinstated. No matter how capable I am, I have no way to resolve this matter."

Hu Zongxian knew that Wang Yan was speaking out of gratitude to Jiajing, and that even when he had made contributions, he never took credit for them, always attributing them to Jiajing's wisdom and prowess. He didn't pay much attention to Wang Yan's humble words.

He turned to look at his surroundings, took a step, and sighed, "Five years have passed, and Tongzhou is even more prosperous now, all thanks to you..."

When they said this, the two had already reached a secluded place.

However, Wang Yan said it didn't matter whether there were people around or not: "I dare not take credit, Minister Hu. It is because His Majesty trusts me that I was able to hold such a high position and important post at just over twenty years old. Fortunately, I have worked hard day and night and have not disappointed His Majesty's expectations."

"From now on, the entire Shuntian Prefecture is in your hands, Minister. You must not break the rules that have been painstakingly established, and you cannot allow the hard-earned silver to be lost again. Otherwise, all the dozens of attacks I've endured over the past six years will have been for nothing."

Hu Zongxian stood with his hands behind his back, looking at the busy people loading and unloading, and said: "You don't need to worry. His Majesty reinstated me to take your place so that he can protect the achievements you risked your life for."

To be honest, even if I wanted to sabotage things, there's nothing I could do given the current situation. I could be Xu Jie's lackey, but they wouldn't take me. Over the years, those people from back then have either left, retired, or been demoted; I have no connection with them anymore. If there's any connection, it's only with His Majesty and you. You are my backer, my ally.”

Wang Yan shook his head with amusement: "What backing or allies? We are close partners who share the same boat and common goals, loyal to His Majesty, dutiful to the country, and responsible to the people. However, what you said, Minister, is still pleasing to hear. You said that I am only twenty-seven years old and have already reached such a high and powerful position. In my heart, I am a little arrogant."

"If you can say these things, then you are not arrogant." Hu Zongxian looked at the smiling Wang Yan and sighed. "There is an old saying that a tree that stands out in the forest will be felled by the wind, and another saying that once the birds are all gone, the bow is put away and the rabbit is killed and the dog is cooked. You are young and in a high position. I don't know if it is a blessing or a curse. As a friend and as a partner, I have to remind you that you must think twice before you act as an official."

"I appreciate your reminder, but..."

Wang Yan met Hu Zongxian's eyes. "I have no way out. Ever since I seized power and defied orders in Chun'an to protect myself, there has been no turning back. Now, my only option is to bravely move forward and focus on the affairs of the king. I am a lone minister, and at least for now, while I am still alive, I don't need to think about these things."

Now that the emperor is gone... I think Prince Yu was still quite tolerant. Even if he didn't use me, he couldn't kill me, could he? So who will get the money when we're short of it? Six years have passed, and the combined money that Xu, Gao, and Zhang have made doesn't even amount to what I've made alone.

Last year, the annual revenue was 21 million taels of silver, of which Shuntian Prefecture paid 1.5 million taels. The remaining 4 million taels were paid by the subjugated southeastern regions, which was silver that we had strongly advocated for.

Including the profits from the fleet, cement, white glass, and the Royal Bank, I also gave His Majesty nearly three million taels of silver, without exploiting or plundering the people. On the contrary, the people are doing well. They keep clamoring for reforms and changes, but nothing has come of it. They even have people impeaching me every day, saying I'm incompetent in this way and wrong in that way, damn it…

Anyway, to sum it up, I'm certain I'll be fine for the next ten years!

"What about ten years from now?"

Wang Yan looked at Hu Zongxian strangely, no longer addressing him as "Minister": "Old Hu, now that we've formed a faction, and you're still the Left Vice Minister of Rites, His Majesty is planning to have you supervise the examinations next year. In ten years, can't we even protect ourselves?"

"Do you see how I protected myself?" Hu Zongxian's true feelings were revealed, with a hint of resentment. "Twenty years of Yan's party, didn't they fall just like that?"

"Old Hu, you've been managing the fleet and training the navy these past few years, it must have been exhausting and difficult. I'll prescribe some medicine for you later to help you recover. Also, make sure you practice the health regimen I taught you diligently and don't neglect it."

Wang Yan patted him on the shoulder, "If that day ever comes, I hope you're still alive so you can see how I protect myself."

Hu Zongxian laughed heartily: "I am in good health, and now that I have been reinstated, I am full of energy. I am sure I will live a long life and strive to surpass Grand Secretary Yan."

He still respected Yan Song so much, even though the grass on Yan Song's grave was already three feet tall...

"Then I truly wish you a long and healthy life."

Wang Yan laughed heartily, "Let's go, take a look at the goods you brought, and check them carefully. We can't afford to make any mistakes. Then we'll stay in Tongzhou for a day, take a bath, eat and drink, and go to the capital to pay our respects to His Majesty tomorrow."

"This time I've brought quite a few treasures, and I've also brought you some nice things, please..."

So the two of them boarded the ship again and looked at all sorts of strange and exotic objects inside.

To be honest, these things have been sent over the years, and Jiajing has actually had his fill of them. These days, he no longer examines each item individually; they're simply piled up in the Imperial Treasury. He only needs to know the total number. The main reason is that these things are all valuable; by gradually releasing them out of the palace, they've made a fortune over the years.

As for Hu Zongxian saying that he brought him some, that's normal. When you're doing errands for the emperor, how can you not take some for yourself? It would be unreasonable not to.

Hu Zongxian, who gave up his fortune back then, has become incredibly wealthy again in recent years, even richer than before.

Needless to say, Wang Yan has always been dedicated to the breeding industry, constantly expanding the scale of breeding, accumulating experience, and researching technology. His piglets are getting fatter and fatter, and he has even developed a complete veterinary system.

This is the power of time...

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