Traveling through time and space to become a child, supporting the family by catching fish and shrim

Sheng Chuliang laughed at himself and said, "There's a saying that goes, 'It's rare to find true life in old age.'"

"It means that as people age, they tend to become more bitter and ungrateful, and it's hard to retain the innocence of their youth."

"I used to think this sentence was particularly true, so I was doing it."

"But after accepting you as my apprentice, I realized that this statement is actually wrong."

"My self-righteous innocence can't even protect my own students. So what's the point of this innocence?"

Chen Lang was inexplicably moved, "Teacher, you don't have to..."

Sheng Chuliang waved his hand, interrupting Chen Lang and saying, "Erlang, listen to me."

"Part of the reason I came out of seclusion was because of you. I didn't want my students to be manipulated by just anyone. Another part of the reason was that I saw the potential for turmoil in the court in the future."

"Even if I drink ice for ten years, my blood will not cool. I still want to do something for the court and the people. This way, my life will not be in vain."

Chen Lang asked, "Teacher, what kind of changes do you think will happen in the imperial court?"

Sheng Chuliang smiled and raised his hand to nod at Chen Lang, "Isn't your article already very clear?"

Chen Lang scratched his head. "To be honest, teacher, I wrote that essay for the college entrance examination just to get angry with the Supervisor Chang Anmin. I never thought it would cause such a big trouble."

Sheng Chuliang said: "Sit down and talk."

The master and disciple sat facing each other, and Sheng Chuliang said, "I once told you that Your Majesty's crackdown on the Shang Clan does not mean to completely crush the Shang people like Emperor Gaozu did."

"Dealing with the Shang Party is more like a strategy of His Majesty."

"Following the defeat in the war with the Liao Kingdom 23 years ago, the problem of redundant officials and excessive expenses became apparent. Add to that the annual tribute to the Liao Kingdom and the rewards to the Western Xia, and the national treasury could no longer bear such heavy expenses."

"But cutting officials' salaries, or even reducing their number, is impossible. Collecting taxes from the people will only increase their burden and lead to civil unrest."

"And our Great Yan's principle in dealing with rebellious people is to appease them. The more we appease them, the poorer our treasury becomes. So, Your Majesty finally turned his attention to the merchants, giving them the power they had always dreamed of, and using it to seize their wealth."

"Over the past decade, the national treasury has indeed become prosperous, and the people's lives... can't be said to be that bad. The only ones suffering are the Shilin Group. If we don't find a way to appease them, the Shilin Group will threaten the imperial power."

"Your Majesty is dividing and disintegrating the Shang Party and expelling them from the cabinet. This is a show for the students of the world."

"But your majesty, having tasted the sweetness, how could you easily give up the merchants? Without these people, who will make money for the country? Will we rely on the common people to farm the land?"

"It's not that farming is bad, but relying solely on farming can keep the people safe and prevent them from causing trouble. But it can't strengthen our army. Without a strong army, the fruits of farming will ultimately benefit the Liao people."

"Your Majesty is ambitious. He is not willing to be a king who only maintains the status quo. He wants to expand the territory and become an emperor who will be remembered for generations."

"Over the past decade, wealth has accumulated, and the army has greatly enriched its armor, swords, and war horses. I have a feeling that it won't be long before Your Majesty launches a war against the Liao Kingdom, using a great victory to end the twenty-year-long annual tribute."

Chen Lang was very surprised and asked, "Teacher, have you come up with all these in the past period of time?"

Sheng Chuliang said, "When you returned from the palace examination, you mentioned the morning report to me. I haven't read it in many years. After your reminder, I found that the morning report is not without value."

"So I collected all the morning papers from the past two years or so, read them carefully, and then summarized these insights."

"Of course, these insights can't be said to be completely correct, and they might even be wrong. But no matter what, His Majesty will never tolerate the Shilin Party's dominance. He will definitely find a way to stir up factional strife in the court. Only when those below fight each other can the imperial power be stabilized."

Chen Lang pondered for a long time and said, "Ying Shan is dealing with me in order to indirectly attack Scholar Xiao."

"It seems my speculation was correct. In the eyes of most people, Xiao Yu is the leader of the Shilin Party. However, after returning to the cabinet, he has become a sword in the hands of Your Majesty, used to divide and disintegrate the Shilin Party."

Sheng Chuliang said: "Mr. Xiao must have a strong political vision. He should also have realized that the prosperity of the country and the people cannot be achieved by relying solely on scholars and businessmen as well."

"Given Xiao Yu's character, if he hadn't taken the initiative to see this, he wouldn't have stood with Your Majesty."

"Similarly, Cui Yan and Chang Anmin must have noticed this, which is why they used your test paper to make a fuss."

Chen Lang asked tentatively, "Teacher, do you also think this is correct?"

Sheng Chuliang nodded: "I didn't think so at first, but after getting to know you for a long time, I found that this view is not unreasonable."

"However, I still insist that businessmen must be restrained. If they are not restricted, there is no telling how terrible things they will do."

"This view is also what I will continue to practice after returning to officialdom."

"Erlang, you can continue to do business in the future, but your master hopes that you will have a conscience and a bottom line. Don't be like those business gangs who pursue profit and do whatever it takes."

Chen Lang stood up and bowed: "Student will remember the teacher's teachings."

Sheng Chuliang said, "After I leave, this mansion will be handed over to you."

"Take good care of it for me. I'll be back in ten years or so to retire."

Chen Lang smiled awkwardly and said, "Teacher, I am actually planning to leave Nanhe County..."

Sheng Chuliang frowned: "You want to leave too? Where to?"

Chen Lang took a deep breath and said, "Let's go to a place where I can show my talents and do business to my heart's content."

Sheng Chuliang's eyes rolled, and he understood what Chen Lang meant. He asked, "Are you disappointed with Magistrate Fan of Fancheng?"

Chen Lang nodded. "That's right. This incident has made me see clearly. Fan Cheng is not worth investing in, let alone trusting."

"Yingshen used this strange excuse against me. He remained silent throughout the trial, which greatly disappointed the students."

"If someone with a higher official rank than Ying Shan comes to deal with me in the future, Fan Cheng might just sell me out."

Sheng Chuliang said, "It took him less than half a year to go from county lieutenant to county magistrate. It's natural for him to feel nervous and apprehensive when he first ascends to such a high position."

"But you're right. No matter how terrified he is, he won't just stand by and watch the whole thing. He's planning to help whoever wins."

"So where are you going?"