Tiantang Splendid

Chapter 4933: No matter what money you give, we will move it back!
An Yuanshou inherited his father's title and official position, and everyone in Liangzhou was under his control. He was brave and ambitious since childhood, but he never cared about the people under his rule. Although he was not harsh, he was definitely not sympathetic to the people's livelihood.

In his eyes, these people were just objects of his tax collection.

However, now, he was about to leave his hometown and move to Guanzhong, and was afraid that he would never be able to return to this land in this life. However, this shopkeeper, whom he had never met before, poured him a bowl of wine to see him off...

Without much hesitation, he took the wine bowl with both hands, raised his head and drank it all, then handed the bowl back to the shopkeeper, clasped his fists in greeting, and said sincerely: "Thank you!"

He turned to the surroundings and said loudly: "In the past, Maoling was ignorant and never showed kindness to you elders. Today, as we are about to leave, I feel deeply moved. If I have offended you in the past, I hope you elders will forgive me for the sake of my ancestors."

After saying this, he bowed to the ground in all directions.

"Why do you say that, Marshal? We cannot bear this!"

"The An family has been in Liangzhou for hundreds of years, and has never done anything that is against the will of heaven and earth!"

"That's right. In the early years, the world was in chaos, but Liangzhou was the only province that didn't get involved in the conflict. This is all thanks to the An family!"

Suddenly someone asked, "Since the commander-in-chief was about to move to Guanzhong, why did he return to Guzang?"

An Yuanshou was in a good mood and said with a smile: "The An family and the Yin family have been friends for generations, but there are also some dirty things between them. I will probably never come back after going to Guanzhong, so before I leave, I have a debt to settle with the Yin family."

"Could it be that Yin owes An money?"

"Don't worry about whether it's money or a favor. Since Yin owes An, the commander should go and ask for it!"

"The Yin family is such a jerk. As old friends, shouldn't they take the initiative to pay off the debts owed to the An family when they are in trouble?"

"That family is full of ruthless people, I'm afraid they want to default on their debts!"

The Yin family did not have a good reputation in Guzang, and the people even harbored deep resentment towards them.

At that time, Yin Shishi was appointed the prefect of Zhangye, and thousands of men in Guzang City were recruited by him to serve as his guard. However, when he was left behind in Chang'an, he heard that Duke Tang had raised an army and actually sent people to dig up Duke Tang's ancestral tomb, which was despised by the world.

Later, Duke Tang personally led a large army to besiege Chang'an, threatening to forgive Yin Shishi if he surrendered the city. However, Yin Shishi fought to the death for his own industry. After the city was captured, all the Guzang children who followed him were killed along with him.

Not only that, many Tibetans were also implicated, their families broken up, and their loved ones killed...

"The Yin family is not a good son of man. I'm afraid they will bully the commander!"

"We should follow the commander-in-chief. If Yin refuses to pay, we will destroy his mansion as well!"

Liangzhou has been located at the strategic point between the east and the west since ancient times, with Hu and Han people living together. It has been incorporated into the central region since the Han Dynasty, and wars have never stopped, so the people are brave and never afraid of war.

An Yuanshou raised his hands and said gratefully, "I am deeply grateful for your protection! But after I leave, you still have to live in Guzang, so you should not offend the Yin family. Otherwise, I will be retaliated by the Yin family in the future. How can I bear it? I will go to Duke Lu to pick up my brother first, and then go to the Yin family to collect the debt. If he dares to deny it, he must ask me if I agree with the sword in my hand!"

"it is good!"

"What a courageous Marshal!"

An Yuanshou has been brave and good at fighting since he was young, and his reputation for bravery is well-known throughout Hexi. The people of Liangzhou like such brave men who are decisive and ruthless.

……

In the barracks, Cheng Yaojin was drinking with Niu Jinda, chattering about various matters. Niu Jinda would set off for Fanhe City to take up his post early tomorrow morning, so this could be considered a farewell drink.

Cheng Chumo walked into the yard from outside, followed by a group of soldiers, who were pushing a cart to unload things into the tent nearby. While pushing and unloading the cart, the group of people were cheering and chattering, which was very noisy.

Cheng Yaojin shouted, "What's the point of making so much noise? Shut up!"

The group of soldiers were startled and quickly shut up. They bent their backs, looked terrified, and dared not make any sound.

Niu Jinda waved to Cheng Chu curiously, waited for him to come in, and asked, "What are you doing?"

Cheng Chumo replied respectfully: "They are some fireworks, saved for tonight."

Cheng Yaojin also asked: "I've seen this thing in Chang'an. It seems to be very expensive, right?"

"It was sent by the Fang family's shop in Guzang. The shopkeeper said that our two families are close friends and there is no need to spend money."

"Fuck the good relationship between the two families!"

Cheng Yaojin was furious and slammed the table fiercely: "Fang Er, that thief, teamed up with Li Ji to trap me in Hexi and prevent me from returning to Beijing. Now he thinks of the friendship between us? Send him back. I won't take advantage of him!"

He is actually a person who cares a lot about face. In the past, he would be very happy if the Fang family could send him some fireworks. But now the imperial edict has just been delivered, and not only has his dream of returning to Beijing been shattered, he even has to stay in Liangzhou to farm. He is so angry that if Fang Jun stood in front of him, he would want to pounce on him and take a few bites to relieve his hatred.

Cheng Chumo was shocked. In his opinion, public and private matters should be clearly distinguished. Although Fang Jun had prevented his father from returning to Beijing, the friendship between the two families had not diminished in the slightest. There was nothing wrong with accepting some fireworks, but since his father was angry, he could only send them back.

"Well, I'll send the child back right away."

Just as he turned around, he heard Cheng Yaojin shout again: "Wait!"

Cheng Chumo turned around in astonishment, and heard Cheng Yaojin ask, "Isn't this thing expensive?"

Cheng Chumo nodded. "A single-color firework costs at least one guan of money in Chang'an. A two-color one costs two guan of money, a three-color one costs five guan of money, and a four-color one costs even twenty-five guan of money... The price doubles with each additional color. The ones we were given are the four-color 'Four Seasons Fortune' and the five-color 'Five Blessings', which are more than a hundred in total. This is the price in Chang'an. If shipped to Hexi, the price will double. These fireworks will cost at least a thousand guan of money."

Cheng Yaojin stroked his beard and said disapprovingly: "That's the selling price. How much is the cost? That guy sent you away with such a small favor. What a loser! Go, take the people and bring back all the fireworks in the Fang family's shop. Take as many as you can."

Cheng Chumo was shocked: "The fireworks in the warehouse are like a small mountain. If I buy them all, it will cost tens of thousands of coins..."

"Bullshit! Are your ears plugged with donkey hair and you can't hear me clearly? I asked you to move back, not to buy it!"

Cheng Chumo: "..."

Dad, are you serious?!
Cheng Yaojin snorted angrily, "That little thief is treacherous and insidious. This time he really screwed me over. What's the point of moving his fireworks? The Fang family is now rich and powerful, so we don't need these little things. Bring them all back and set them off tonight. Let everyone in Guzang City see my strength!"

Cheng Chumo didn't know what to say. Is it appropriate for you to show your strength by taking things you stole?

But he was always like a mouse seeing a cat in front of his father, and he didn't dare to refuse at all. He nodded quickly and said, "Son, I'll ask someone to move it!"

Turn around and run out.

Niu Jinda didn't know whether to laugh or cry: "Why bother?"

It's childish like children fighting with each other.

Cheng Yaojin glared, very unhappy: "Fang Er that guy is trying to trip me up, what can I do with a few fireworks?"

"Of course I can't do anything about it. Just like you said, how can I be short of this little thing? But there's no need to do that. It will make outsiders think that you are my aunt at the airport."

"That's not necessarily the case."

"Ok?"

Niu Jinda was stunned for a moment, then reacted: "You did this on purpose, so that others would think that there is no rift between you and Fang Er, and that the two families are still close?"

Only close relatives would go to the store’s warehouse to move things. If there really was a rift between them, they would probably throw away everything that was delivered to their door.

Cheng Yaojin took a sip of wine and sighed, "That guy has become a big shot. Although I am unhappy, I have to admit that things are different now. I can only hold on to that guy's legs tightly, otherwise I will suffer in the future."

His ability to weigh the pros and cons and be able to let go have always been his strengths. However, he was not optimistic about Li Chengqian's ability to sit firmly on the throne and stood idly by during the mutiny, which led to him standing on the wrong side and leading to the predicament he is in today.

But Fang Jun is now a local tycoon. He may not be able to help Cheng Yaojin to make further progress, but he is more than enough to ruin his plans, like this time.

The most important thing is that I was banished, but Fang Jun was by your side. It was clear at a glance who was close to me. Even if I had a stubborn temper, I had to bow my head...

Niu Jinda pondered for a moment, and suddenly said, "Could it be that Fang Er's attempt to stop the Marshal from returning to the capital was not just out of mischief, but had other purposes? For example, is it possible that supervising cotton planting in Liangzhou is not a punishment as it seems, but is actually very beneficial?"

"Ok?"

Cheng Yaojin frowned: "Where's the benefit?"

"The cotton was cultivated by Fang Jun himself in cooperation with Sino-Agricultural Temple. The Marshal must know that Fang Jun is not only unrivaled in his skills, but also quite accomplished in farming. The Sino-Agricultural Temple worships him like a god... The key is that all the things Fang Jun has done over the years have attracted worldwide attention. Either they benefit the country and the people, or they make a lot of money. This cotton is probably extraordinary!"

Cheng Yaojin was refreshed and agreed with him. After thinking for a while, he said, "How about I buy some land in Liangzhou, or just open up some wasteland and grow some cotton?"

To supervise the government in promoting cotton planting, it is naturally more convincing if you participate in it yourself. Not only can you set an example, but you can also make a fortune, which is beneficial to both the public and private sectors and doubles the profits!
Niu Jinda nodded: "I think it's okay. When the Right Guard is almost reorganized, we can also get some land and plant more cotton."

Although he knew nothing about the uses and value of cotton, Fang Jun's reputation as a "wealth-making boy" in recent years was so dazzling that there was no reason not to follow him.

The guards outside suddenly ran in and reported: "General, An Yuanshou is outside the door!"

Cheng Yaojin hummed and ordered, "Go and bring An Zhongjing here."

"Here!"

After the soldiers left, Cheng Yaojin stood up, straightened his clothes, and said, "After all, he is a local hero. I will give him face and go to the door to greet him personally."

Niu Jinda also stood up and said: "I will go with the commander-in-chief."

(End of this chapter)