diymy Chapter 86: Jade in its box awaits a good price, hairpin in its case awaits its time to fly.
Chapter 86: Jade in its box awaits a good price, hairpin in its case awaits its time to fly.
Upon hearing these words, Emperor Yonglong's eyes suddenly brightened.
Because the method Xia Chengzong mentioned was one that even he had never thought of, and it was also a practical and feasible method.
The entire court and local officials were all from the gentry.
But not for lower-level officials!
They came from humble backgrounds, but they were the ones who carried out all the practical work related to land surveying and the integration of land tax into poll tax.
The chances of a successful transformation will greatly increase if these forces can be fully controlled.
Emperor Yonglong could come up with several ways to control them.
The hardest part about this matter is coming up with this solution.
In practice, it's not that difficult to implement.
In fact, if the national treasury were full, he could implement this right now.
Emperor Yonglong's positive emotions +10 +10 +10
After pondering for a while, Emperor Yonglong nodded and said, "Brother Zong, what you've proposed is indeed feasible."
"But as you also said, this move would make enemies of all officials in the country, and could easily lead to the downfall of the nation."
"If you were to lead a change, do you have any safer methods?"
coming!
Grandfather is already testing me as his successor!
He wanted to bring about change, but he was also afraid that he might be too hasty and that a single misstep could lead to the downfall of the nation.
Thinking of this, Xia Chengzong said, "Grandfather, matters of reform concern the safety of the nation and must be handled with utmost caution."
"In my humble opinion, once everything is ready, we can first select a place in the capital as a pilot area to promote the reforms."
Even if we fail, the losses will be limited; as long as we succeed, we can learn from our experiences.
"Then gradually promote it to a continent. Once it succeeds in one continent, then promote it to another."
"If we persevere and proceed gradually, we may be able to fully implement it."
Emperor Yonglong's positive emotions +10 +10 +10
Emperor Yonglong smiled with satisfaction, patted Xia Chengzong on the head, and said:
"Very good, go ahead and get busy. Remember, what you said to Grandfather today must not be spread."
"Yes, Your Majesty, I take my leave!"
……
Xia Chengzong devoted himself to training the new army.
The military appearance and discipline of the new army changed every day.
Their posture became more and more standard, and their formation became more and more orderly.
Their military bearing is becoming increasingly pronounced.
Xia Chengzong took some time to visit the Lin residence.
When Xia Chengzong saw Lin Ruhai again after not seeing him for more than a month, he was startled and almost did not recognize him.
He had a scraggly beard, a dejected look on his face, and was still reeling from the blow.
Although Uncle Lin was nearing middle age, his passion remained undiminished.
He was full of passion and devoted to his country, but this is the result he got. It's no wonder he was so dejected after such a blow.
Xia Chengzong sat down next to Lin Ruhai and said, "Uncle Lin, jade in its box awaits a good price, and hairpin in its case awaits its time to fly."
Upon hearing this, Lin Ruhai's face first showed a blank expression, but after a long while, a glint of light flashed in his eyes.
He asked, "What do you mean by that, Brother Zong?"
Xia Chengzong chuckled and said, "Uncle Lin is one of the smartest men in the world; how could he not understand this simple principle?"
"Some things are not that we won't do them, but that the time is not right. Uncle Lin, please wait patiently, and there will surely be a time for you to realize your ambitions."
Upon hearing this, Lin Ruhai suddenly understood.
As Xia Chengzong said, he was an exceptionally intelligent man.
He was just getting stuck on this one point for a while. Even without Xia Chengzong's words, he would have come to his senses sooner or later.
Now that Xia Chengzong has enlightened him, Lin Ruhai can't help but laugh at himself.
"I am skilled at cultivating my noble and righteous spirit!"
"But when the time came, in terms of experience, he was actually inferior to even a mere pageboy of the Third Prince!"
"I've wasted so many years reading the classics and cultivating such a noble spirit!"
Xia Chengzong laughed and said, "You can't see the true face of Mount Lu because you are in the mountain itself."
"Uncle Lin is blinded by a single leaf, while I am observing from the outside; how can we be compared?"
"Though he may not fly, when he does, he will soar to the heavens; though he may not sing, when he sings, he will astound the world. There will surely come a day when Uncle Lin will astound the world with his talent!"
Xia Chengzong played with Lin Daiyu for a while longer, and only left after having dinner at the Lin family's house.
After Xia Chengzong left, Lin Ruhai bathed, changed his clothes, shaved his beard, and regained his former glory.
Seeing this change in him, Jia Min was delighted and couldn't help but ask with a smile:
"My husband has been so depressed these days. I wonder how Zong-ge managed to cheer him up and make him so happy?"
Upon hearing this, Lin Ruhai said with shame, "To be honest, I am well-read and consider myself to have some skill in cultivating inner strength."
"Yet when the time came, he was not as insightful as a mere child! Zong-ge'er's future is limitless!"
Upon hearing this, Jia Min's eyebrows twitched slightly.
Zong Ge'er is a grandson of the emperor, born into nobility. How could his future be so limitless?
If he were to go even further, wouldn't that be...
Thinking of this, Jia Min couldn't help but gasp.
……
A few days later, Xia Chengzong sent an invitation to the Prince's Mansion to host a banquet in return for Jia Lian and Jia Zhu, and asked them to bring Jia Baoyu along as well.
He originally planned to wait for the Jia family's next banquet before carrying out his scheme to replace the prince with a cat.
However, considering that the Jia family might not invite him again for another time, it was uncertain when.
To prevent any unforeseen complications, it would be better to return the favor by inviting Jia Lian back; after all, an excuse is readily available.
When Prince Xia Chengzong invited them to a banquet, the brothers Jia Lian and Jia Zhu were immediately flattered and overwhelmed upon receiving the invitation.
On the day of the banquet, they brought Jia Baoyu to the Prince's Mansion early in the morning.
After meeting, Jia Lian and Jia Zhu took Jia Baoyu's hand and bowed in greeting.
Xia Chengzong stepped forward to help the two brothers up and, smiling, ushered them into the house.
After exchanging pleasantries inside, Xia Chengzong mentioned that the chrysanthemums in the back garden were in full bloom.
We just happened to get a basket of plump crabs, perfect for enjoying them while admiring the chrysanthemums.
Xia Bei led the group straight to the Chrysanthemum Garden, where they saw:
Yellow flowers cover the ground, white willows line the slope. A small bridge leads to the Ruoye Stream, a winding path connects to the Tiantai Road.
A clear stream rushes through the rocks, its fragrance wafting from the fence; red leaves flutter from the treetops, the sparse woods a picturesque scene. A sudden west wind blows, silencing the warbling of orioles; the warm sun shines brightly, adding the chirping of crickets.
Upon seeing this, Jia Lian and Jia Zhu couldn't help but praise it repeatedly.
After entering the Chrysanthemum Garden, Xia Chengzong called Jia Baoyu over, took his hand, and had him sit beside him.
Jia Baoyu was obsessed with looks and loved pretty girls the most.
Of course, he also likes good-looking men.
Therefore, although he had only met Xia Chengzong twice, he liked him very much.
After exchanging a few jokes, Xia Chengzong then expressed his desire to see Jia Baoyu's magical jade.
No one found it strange, and Xia Chengzong personally took the jade pendant from Jia Baoyu's neck.
As a result, when Xia Chengzong saw the Spirit Jade, his face darkened.
Nima!
The five-colored silk ribbons that were originally on the jade pendant have now been replaced with a heart-shaped plum blossom design.
The five-colored silk ribbons he had made so convincingly that they were indistinguishable from the real thing turned out to be useless.
Do I have to go back and fake it again?
Should we change the bag next time?