Adoption brings disaster

There are no secrets in the capital, let alone such strange things that happen in public. Even the secrets in the deep mansions have been exposed to the public, making those dark and strange things appear in front of everyone, making them sigh and marvel, but they keep doing such despicable things.

It is true that things are similar every year, but the people are different every year.

I didn't intend to hide this matter from public eyes. Instead, I tried my best to let everyone know. Naturally, it spread very quickly. Look, the next day, rumors were flying all over the capital.

The power of gossip is really strong. I don’t know how these rumors spread. There was not a trace of them the day before, but today even the night incense seller swore that it was his relative who was a high-ranking official who told him.

In a tavern, a man said cautiously but loudly, "Have you heard? The land system is going to be reformed. It is said that from now on, ordinary people will not have to pay taxes, only the landlords will pay taxes."

The people around him sneered when they heard this and said, "How old is this news? Let me tell you, there is an island in the south, and on the island is a mountain of gold. The gold is like a gift from the immortals. If you dig it up, you will find gold ingots. Now our emperor has plenty of money, why would he care about our meager things?"

"Come on, it's a gift from the immortals, you still believe this nonsense? The story is like this. Last night, Your Majesty had a dream. In the dream, a child said to Your Majesty, 'Conquering the common people can take a hundred years, but conquering the wealthy can last for ten thousand generations.'"

"Yes, yes, this is the news from the palace. His Majesty is planning to reduce taxes based on the number of people in the future."

"I've only heard of tax increases, what does this tax cut mean?"

"Let me tell you, living in the capital is not easy without someone. My uncle, a high-ranking official, said that tenants can be used to offset taxes. The more tenants you have, the more taxes you can offset. Let me tell you, our good days are coming."

"This can't be true, right? Would these officials and landlords agree to this?"

"Why do we need their consent? Didn't you see someone recruiting workers at the city gate yesterday? I'll tell you in secret, those who know the inside story are grabbing people early on. Otherwise, who would be willing to give away those delicious steamed buns now?"

...........................

In less than a day, the common people in the capital were all overjoyed, and the tenants in the suburbs were also very proud. If you ask them why they are so happy, they will only tell you that if you levy the common people, it will last for a hundred years, but if you capture the gentry, it will be passed down for generations.

On the morning of the third day, all the porridge shops at the city gate were transformed into recruitment shops, and the competition became more and more fierce. Previously, white flour buns could recruit a large number of people, but now they have to sell cabbage buns to recruit people, and some even use pork buns to recruit people.

I walked among the crowd in disguise, looking at the arrogant refugees and feeling a little bit unbelievable. These rich and powerful people are so stupid? The news has only been spread for a day, and everyone can't wait to recruit workers, and they are recruiting people at all costs.

Looking at this situation, these refugees will soon have a place to go.

Although this plan could not last long, as long as these refugees could get through this most difficult period and recuperate on the farms of the landlords, they could make other plans.

For example, when the situation improves next year, even if the landlords find out that they have been deceived and drive these refugees out, the escort agency can send them back home on the grounds that they need laborers.

Seeing that my goal had been achieved, I made a gesture in the dark.

Suddenly, the sound of some kind of bird was heard at the city gate, but there were so many people at the gate and the noise was so chaotic that if one did not have high martial arts skills and was not careful to listen, one would definitely not be able to detect it.

The bird calls stopped after only ten chirps. At the city gate, people slowly moved to the outer circle and then quietly escaped into the world. It would be extremely difficult for others to investigate.

Even if they find out that I was the one who hired the job on the first day, I really needed it, and I can also say that I was cheated.

After all, I actually took out steamed buns these days. According to the current grain prices, I have lost tens of thousands of taels of silver. I can be regarded as the biggest victim.

Things had come to this point, and I had given an explanation to Liu Shuiqing. I was just about to have a leisurely meal and return to the palace, but someone stood in front of me.

I looked up and saw that the guards who were originally guarding around were nowhere to be seen. There were only four or five people protecting me in the middle. Obviously, these were all their people.

When the man saw me looking at him, he also bowed respectfully and said, "Your Highness Qianqiu, my master invites you over."

I was shocked when I heard that, and looked around for A-Da, but I don't know what means they used, A-Da, who had been following me all the time, disappeared.

I was panicking and gripped the anaconda in my hand, wondering how likely it was that I could defeat them.

The visitor also saw what I was thinking and said, "We are naturally no match for His Highness Qianqiu, but are you sure you want to fight in this place and with this appearance?"

I don't know if I can defeat them, but his words really made me hesitate.

If I were to use the poisonous anaconda in this place, these deceived dignitaries would immediately know it was a trap. It wouldn't matter to me because I'm in control of the Fortune Escort Agency, but these refugees would be in trouble.

The refugees have done nothing wrong. I can't bear to let their hard-earned chance of survival be cut off like this. Besides, A-Da and the others must be desperately looking for me. As long as they find me, things will be easy.

After I finished calculating, I said arrogantly, "I want to see who is so bold as to force a minister to meet him under the emperor's feet."

The man didn't react at all after hearing what I said, but just led the way respectfully.

This group of people had some special movements. I didn't see them push others away, but they just protected me steadily in the middle, as if these refugees had deliberately left a path for me.

These people may not be very good at martial arts, but with such body movements, their masters must be no small figures.

I followed a few people through the crowd and into the city. There were three people sitting on a tea stall next to the city gate. They looked familiar, but they were blocked by a curtain and could not be seen clearly.

"My master is at the tea stall. Please come in, Your Highness Qianqiu."

After saying that, he walked aside, lowered his head and said nothing, but the aura he exuded should not be underestimated. If anyone was so foolish as to want to do something, the guards would teach him a lesson in minutes.

As I walked towards the tea stall, I became more and more nervous. I always felt that something bad was going to happen. The more nervous I became, the more I unconsciously held on to the anaconda.

Just as I reached the tea stall, I couldn't stand it anymore, so I swung the poisonous anaconda and attacked the stall, shouting, "The capital is under the feet of the world. You dare to kidnap your noble family? You are probably going to kill yourself."

Just as the anaconda was about to swing at the curtain, one of them flew out and subdued me with a single blow. He said with a smile, "You're quite good at making a nasty complaint. Who dares to kidnap His Highness Qianqiu?"

After I saw the man clearly, my nervous heart suddenly relaxed. Tears flowed uncontrollably and I cursed, "I was scared to death. I didn't know where Ada and the others had gone. I really thought someone was going to kidnap me. I even thought of a suicide note."

I was crying and hitting that person hard.

I was crying outside when His Royal Highness the Crown Prince came out and said with a smile, "A-Da is the most loyal. Apart from His Royal Highness the Seventh Prince, who else can send A-Da away?"

The emperor also came out, looked at my still shaking hands, and said with a smile: "Qianqiu has the courage to spread rumors, but he doesn't have the courage to meet us."

"His Highness Qianqiu is quite courageous. Last time at the Supreme Court and the Ministry of Justice, all these people didn't scare him. Instead, they made those people lose their temper at all." The prince laughed.

These words made me feel a little guilty. I didn't dare to look at the emperor and the prince. I could only laugh dryly.

"Alright, we're not going to punish you. After all, you helped me solve a big problem." The emperor poured a cup of tea and said, "I see you're scared. Come and have a cup of tea to calm your nerves."

"If it weren't for the Emperor's help, your little tricks would never have fooled those cunning old men."

The Seventh Prince's words reminded me that the Emperor was not angry at all, but rather somewhat happy.

After getting this reminder, I was naturally not afraid anymore. I turned into a lackey and ran to the emperor happily. I happily thanked the emperor for the reward and then drank the tea in one gulp.

I sipped my tea and asked in confusion, "How did the emperor help me? Even the people who were doing the work didn't know what I was going to do. How did the emperor know?"

Before the emperor could speak, the old eunuch beside him laughed and said, "Your Majesty will see through your little tricks at a glance. Just make it known, and people who are chasing fame and fortune will naturally flock to you."

His Majesty was not angry, but just laughed and scolded: "You old thing, you know everything about Qianqiu."

"Your Majesty, you are wronging me. It is true that I like His Highness Qianqiu, but His Highness Qianqiu is intelligent. He will surely be able to think things through with more time."

The Crown Prince also laughed and said, "Your Highness Qianqiu is indeed very clever. No one in the whole court, whether civil or military, has come up with such an idea."

"Hmph, these rats are just reluctant to spend money, otherwise we would have plenty of solutions." His Majesty said dissatisfiedly.

"Your Highness Qianqiu, you must be careful when recruiting these refugees. You still need to find some work for them, otherwise there will be trouble."

"Thank you for your advice, eunuch. I know what I'm doing," I said. "The racecourse is completely under my control now. The land is flat and spacious, close to the river, and with years of nourishment from horse manure, it's extremely fertile. As long as it's reclaimed and water conservancy projects are built, it will surely become excellent paddy fields in the future. The people from the escort agency have already reclaimed some of it, and the harvest is good now."

"Cultivating farmland is a good idea, but even if the racecourse is reclaimed, it will probably take two or three years before there's a harvest."

"Your Highness is absolutely right. Fortunately, I have stored some food. Together with other provisions, it is enough to feed these two thousand refugees for a year. Once this year's situation is over and food prices are cheaper, I can buy some more and use the reclaimed land to produce some. We should be able to survive until then."

"Your Highness Qianqiu, this method is good, but it can only be used once."

"Not necessarily."

"Oh?" the Crown Prince said, "What do you think, my Seventh Brother?"

His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has been in a high position for a long time, so naturally he will not tolerate anyone questioning him. He is now waiting for His Royal Highness the Seventh Prince to come up with a reason so that he can refute him harshly.

I burst out laughing, and seeing everyone looking over, I said, "Whether this can only be played this once or not, it still depends on Your Majesty."

"Tell me, do you think the same as me?" the emperor asked with interest.

"I play the path of fear. If I scare these people, they'll naturally follow my path," I said. "But Your Majesty is following the path of fame and fortune. If it were the path of fear, these people would be scared once or twice, then they'd realize I'm just a bully and won't be afraid anymore. But if it's the path of fame and fortune, it's different."

The emperor was naturally very happy when I stepped on myself and praised him. He said admiringly, "For someone of your status, it's quite good to be able to do this."

I looked at His Majesty's smile and continued, "No one in this world can escape fame and fortune. Some have fame but lack fortune, while others have fortune but lack fame."

The Seventh Prince naturally understood what I meant and took over the conversation, saying, "Trade profit for reputation. If we give these people who lack reputation a reputation, we will naturally be able to gain profit from them."

"Chongguang is right. That's exactly what I meant. After this matter is over, we just need to commend him in the name of the court and issue a plaque. Naturally, there will be many people flocking to him."

"I'm afraid this matter will damage the reputation of the court." said someone behind the prince.

"No, the court should reward those who have made contributions to the country. It will not only not harm them, but will benefit them."

The man was about to say something when he heard the emperor laugh and say, "You are the one who deserves the reward the most, but I'm afraid you are doing this for fame and fortune. Tell me what you want."

"I simply cannot bear to see these refugees die in vain, not because I want any reward," I said. "But if Your Majesty insists on rewarding me, I would be disrespectful to refuse. I would like to ask Your Majesty to grant Liu Shuiqing the title of Lord."

"You have been very helpful this time, and you should be promoted to the rank of Lord Father." The emperor suddenly realized and said, "Who do you want to ask for the title of Lord Father?"

Everyone found it unbelievable. It was like you worked hard overtime for three months, and finally gave the results to someone else, and asked your boss to give that person a promotion and a raise.

"Your Highness Qianqiu has a very close personal relationship with Lord Liushui, so close that he is willing to give up this." The Seventh Prince said with some sourness.

"According to custom, Liu Shuiqing should also be promoted to the rank of Noble Father. Moreover, his virtue is rare this time," the emperor said. "Qianqiu has done meritorious deeds, and the two of you are both virtuous and rare. Since this is the case, let's fulfill our friendship and choose an auspicious day to promote you both to the rank of Noble Father."

As soon as the emperor opened his mouth, everyone knelt down happily to express their gratitude and chatted for a while. The emperor and the two princes had to return to the palace to handle state affairs, and I also had to return to the palace to tell Liu Shuiqing the news.

Predict what will happen in the future, and listen to the next decomposition.