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

Regardless of how true or false this reason is, at least Yelu Xiongge likes Chen Lang's reason very much.

As a "foreign enemy", China is naturally happy to see businessmen from its own country slandering its own country's soldiers.

"Then how much do you plan to sell it for? How much silver is one bottle?" asked Yelu Xiongge.

Chen Lang said, "Brother Xiong, I sell this by the box. Twelve bottles per box, twenty taels."

Yelu Xiongge nodded and said, "The price is very fair."

"But I can't answer you right now. Do you have any extra? Give me some. I need to go back and discuss it with the others. Samples will help with the presentation."

Chen Lang said: "No problem, I still have a few bottles left, I'll give them all to you, sir."

"Master Xiong, this thing will taste even better if you chill it in well water overnight before drinking it."

Yelu Xiongge signaled his guards to take the beer and said, "I'll send someone to inform you when I have the results."

"Farewell."

After Yelu Xiongge left, Wang Yunzhang said, "You kid, just to sell wine, you even ruined your own army."

Chen Lang said, "Sir, you said you are not angry."

Wang Yunzhang said, "I'm not angry, but you've gone a bit too far."

Chen Lang said, "If I don't say this, Brother Yelu Xiong won't believe it either."

Wang Yunzhang asked, "Why mention the army?"

Chen Lang said, "Sir, it's not a good habit for soldiers to drink."

"I just want the Liao soldiers to develop a habit of drinking beer. If they drink too much, their fighting capacity will decline."

"We're bound to fight the Liao Kingdom sooner or later. Using beer to corrode the Liao soldiers' bodies will make them no match for us on the battlefield. This student is doing a great service to the country."

Wang Yunzhang laughed and said, "Master Chang told me that you once used this mouth to anger Han Qi, a famous scholar in Guangling Prefecture, so much that he almost died on the spot."

"I didn't believe it at first, but now I do."

"Your mouth... you really have the ability to confuse right and wrong."

"But then again, do you think Brother Yelu Xiong would agree to add beer to the shopping list?"

Chen Lang said, "I dare not guarantee it either, I can only say it's half and half."

"Sir, if there is nothing else, I will first..."

Wang Yunzhang said, "Don't leave so quickly. I have something to discuss with you."

"I've sent someone to invite Master Chang. He should be here soon."

Chen Lang was stunned for a moment: "What's the matter?"

"We'll talk about it together when Lord Chang arrives," said Wang Yunzhang.

Half an hour later, Chang Anmin arrived at the Market Office.

"Sir Wang, what do you want from me?" Chang Anmin asked straight to the point, then saw Chen Lang: "You're here too."

Chen Lang bowed and said, "I greet you, Master Chang."

"No need to be so polite." Chang Anmin said.

Wang Yunzhang said, "Master Chang, please take a seat."

"You sit down too."

After the two sat down, Wang Yunzhang said, "Master Chang, is the Oiran Contest coming up soon?"

Chang Anmin said, "About four or five days. Why are you asking this?"

Wang Yunzhang smiled and said, "I've seen brothel advertisements on the streets."

Chang Anmin said: "These advertisements are distributed by the brothel on their own initiative. We have no right to charge advertising fees."

Wang Yunzhang said, "Because of the advertisement, this year's Oiran competition is even more exciting and thrilling than in previous years."

"Master Chang, I feel like there's a lot to be done here."

Chang Anmin suddenly realized: "Oh, you want to make money from the Oiran Contest?"

Wang Yunzhang said, "Yes, all the advertising revenue we earned has been used up, and the treasury is still empty."

"Although trade with the Liao Kingdom has been resumed, the imperial court is urging local customs to pay silver. If I don't find a way to raise money, my job as the customs supervisor will be over."

Chang Anmin frowned and said, "That's not right. Didn't you just pay it once? Why do you want it again?"

Wang Yunzhang glanced at Chen Lang.

Chen Lang immediately stood up and said, "I'll take my leave first."

Wang Yunzhang said, "No need. Just listen to it. It has something to do with you anyway."

Wang Yunzhang took a sip of tea to moisten his throat and said, "Although we won a great victory in the battle against Xixia, it also almost wiped out all the wealth Your Majesty had accumulated over the years."

"Plus, during this period of time, Your Majesty issued many decrees that benefited the people, and the treasury's silver was like a flood, disappearing in a flash."

"Your Majesty is not anxious at all, because the things he has done have been highly praised by everyone, whether it's the cabinet, state officials, or local students."

"However……"

At this point, Wang Yunzhang lowered his voice and said, "The crux of the matter is that the salaries of court officials have been greatly affected. In two months at most, the national treasury will be unable to provide money."

"These people went to so much trouble to get rid of the Shang Party, but in the end, they were the ones who suffered the most."

"If they don't get their salaries, no one knows how many officials in the court will defect."

Chang Anmin frowned and thought for a long time, then said, "So that's how it is."

"Your Majesty has taken everyone into account."

"I heard that during the war against Western Xia, some people in the court wanted to negotiate peace, but a group of officials, led by the Duke of Zhao, insisted on fighting, so Your Majesty complied with their wishes."

"Whether we win or not, the money has already been spent, and Your Majesty will not have to bear the blame."

"After taking Xiazhou, we naturally have to reward the three armies. This is another large sum of money."

Chen Lang asked cautiously, "My Lords... I feel like what you said is a bit too exaggerated."

"With such a large court, it's not like they can't even afford to pay the eunuchs their salaries."

Wang Yunzhang said: "The Shang Party has only withdrawn from the cabinet, which does not mean they have withdrawn from the court."

"As the saying goes, even a centipede dies but remains alive. They are still a force that cannot be underestimated. As long as they unite, emptying the national treasury is entirely achievable."

Chen Lang asked again: "Your Excellency is raising money, so your Excellency is actually..."

Wang Yunzhang said: "Don't get me wrong, it's not my side."

"It's just because Lord Chang and you are in Linshui, and in order to keep my official hat, I have to raise this money."

Chen Lang was stunned: "What does this have to do with me?"

Wang Yunzhang said, "The connection lies in the eight words His Majesty gave you."

Those eight words immediately appeared in Chen Lang's mind.

A good man from Dayan, he brings wealth to the country.

Wang Yunzhang continued, "As for the relationship with Lord Chang, I think Lord Chang should be very clear about it."

Chang Anmin said, "Your Majesty asked me to come to Linshui so that I could make money."

"If I can't make money, it proves that your majesty's vision is wrong, and it also proves that the path I chose is wrong."

"But if you make money at this critical moment... you'd be caught between a rock and a hard place."