Crown Prince of the Empire, I quit!

Chapter 131 Need a Port

Song Dingsheng's words made Wu Shizhong feel a little embarrassed.

He took a deep breath, stood up from his seat and said:

"Your Highness, I want a port."

"what?"

Qin Ming and Song Dingsheng both stood there in a daze.

I thought I was going to get some benefits, but who knew Wu Shizhong was so awesome that he even came to the port! ?

"What do you want a port for?"

After calming down, Qin Ming asked Wu Shizhong in surprise.

"Trade with the Nanyang merchant caravans and develop Lingnan."

Since he dared to ask for the port, Wu Shizhong naturally had his own theory.

"Yinshan County is close to the coast. We have our own access to the sea. If we build a port here and trade with the countries in Southeast Asia, we will definitely make a lot of money."

He had this idea a long time ago.

I just never saved enough money.

Although under his leadership in recent years, the entire Yinshan County has developed very well and there is surplus grain at the end of the year.

Unfortunately, the amount of wealth that can be accumulated each year is limited.

Judging from this, even if I live till death, I may not be able to save enough money to build the port.

People are not rich without windfall, and horses are neither night nor fat.

This is a truth that Wu Shizhong only recently figured out.

Seeing Qin Ming coming, he knew this was his opportunity, so he chose to seize it!

"No, I can't get past the imperial court."

Qin Ming did not hesitate and rejected him flatly.

The money of the Daqian Dynasty was clearly divided.

Unless there are natural disasters or man-made disasters, most of the time, local governments are responsible for their own profits and losses.

It is not easy for the Nanyang merchant caravan to come here.

Business that used to be done in the capital was now done in Lingnan.

Is it possible for him to make a fortune in such a small county?

There are so many mouths waiting in the capital, no one will agree.

"I can petition the court. Your Majesty is wise and will definitely agree!"

Wu Shizhong said firmly.

Hearing this, Qin Ming and Song Dingsheng looked at each other.

Lord Wu is still young!

He was full of passion, but he had no idea how complicated the court's network of relationships was.

One can even say that Emperor Qian is wise and compassionate to the people.

"Well, let me ask you, after all these years, what wisdom has he shown in Lingnan? How much grain has he provided? How many times has he promoted national policies to benefit Lingnan?"

"This……"

Wu Shizhong lowered his head and tried hard to recall, but he could not think of any good things about His Majesty.

"If you can't say it, I'll help you say it!"

Qin Ming interrupted him and continued:

"He treated Lingnan as a wilderness, a protective belt to isolate the southern barbarians from the core areas of Daqian."

"He cares nothing about the barren farmlands, resources, and people here. They are all just scraps of the empire, including this king."

Qin Ming's words left Wu Shizhong silent.

He had worked in Yinshan County for so many years but had never been promoted. In fact, he understood why.

But deep down, I have never been willing to admit that I was exiled.

Until now, he still naively believes that he can be promoted if he performs well in politics.

In fact, the direction we pursued was wrong from the beginning.

Qin Ming patted his shoulder and said earnestly:

"It's useless to rely on the imperial court. How does that saying go?"

"That's right, it's better to rely on yourself than on heaven or earth."

Qin Ming's words left Wu Shizhong a little confused.

"Your Highness, since the court doesn't agree, how can we rely on ourselves?"

"Alas, you are still too straightforward. How about this? You find a remote place and I will pay for the construction of a port there first. Just make it smaller."

"Repair...the port?"

Wu Shizhong was stunned.

To be honest, his mentality when he came here this time was to give it a try. If it works, it’s fine. If not, forget it.

I don't hold out much hope anyway.

But Qin Ming gave himself a surprising turn of events!

"Yes, since the court is unreliable, we can do it ourselves."

Qin Ming nodded seriously.

Only then did Wu Shizhong finally understand what Qin Ming meant.

"You're not going to smuggle, are you?"

"Yes, Master Wu, the choice is now yours."

Qin Ming walked up to him seriously.

"Are you fighting for that illusory dream of getting promoted and getting rich, or are you fighting for the well-being of the people of Lingnan?"

“But that’s smuggling!”

Wu Shizhong took a few steps back.

Having worked diligently for many years, he had never thought of such an outrageous thing.

"What's wrong with smuggling? This is for the people of Lingnan!"

Qin Ming spoke righteously.

Song Dingsheng also came up to help:

"Master Wu, don't you want to see the people of Yinshan County leave the mountains? With money, they can live and work in peace and contentment, eat well, dress well, and even build roads to reach many other places."

"I'm not saying this to you, brother. Do you really think you can become a prefect just by working hard here? Forget it. Aren't there plenty of people with connections in Lingnan? Just look at those counties down there. Which county magistrate is as alone and struggling as you?"

"Do you know what's behind them? Every one of them has a backer! They've been waiting so long, waiting for several prefects to die before it's your turn?"

Wu Shizhong was silent.

Today he was taken advantage of and his defense was broken.

Qin Ming and Song Dingsheng talked about the thing he was most reluctant to mention.

See the atmosphere is about the same.

Qin Ming winked at Song Dingsheng, telling him not to bully others too much.

Song Dingsheng then nodded and retreated behind Qin Ming.

Qin Ming walked forward with a smile on his face.

"Master Wu, I know you are capable, but considering your success in getting three top honors in a row, why did you end up running this small Yinshan County for so many years? You should know best."

Qin Ming didn't know much about Wu Shizhong.

However, I have been staying here with Song Dingsheng these days. When he was free, Lord Song chatted with me and mentioned some past events about Wu Shizhong.

It is said that Wu Shizhong won the top three places in the imperial examinations and was extremely famous at the time.

Even Emperor Qian personally met with that group of imperial examination candidates and even praised Wu Shizhong.

The subsequent developments were quite ordinary.

Known as a genius, he entered the court with the integrity of a scholar and was unwilling to curry favor with the powerful.

In just half a year, due to the deliberate manipulation of some people, it made frequent mistakes and behaved in an ugly manner.

He was even repeatedly questioned by Emperor Qian.

It is good for a talented person to be used by others, otherwise he will be a dangerous factor.

His final outcome was not unexpected.

He was impeached by the censors, and the Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of Personnel jointly investigated and punished him, and demoted him to Lingnan.

……

Wu Shizhong was silent.

This happened more than ten years ago.

Although every time he came, Song Dingsheng flattered him, saying that he worked diligently and would be able to go back sooner or later.

But Wu Shizhong himself understood.

Can not go back.

Perhaps he was not suited to the treacherous court.

On the contrary, being a local official in this tiny place makes me feel more at ease.

"Stop talking, Your Highness."

Wu Shizhong lowered his head, his eyes red.

"I'll think about it and give you an answer tomorrow."

"understood."