allonlinenovel Chapter 461 A cunning schemer, yet unable to fully comprehend it.
Chapter 461 A cunning schemer, yet unable to fully comprehend it.
Yang Shaofeng suspected that Lao Deng was harboring resentment towards him.
Although there is no evidence, Yang Shaofeng does not need any evidence.
A famous, decadent writer named Jia Jiansheng once said: "Rather than wasting your own life, it's better to go crazy and kill others."
Besides, I want to build a university in Dengzhou. If you, old Dengzhou, don't pay, what's wrong with me arranging some other jobs for you?
There were also Li Shanchang and Liu Bowen.
Although both of these old scoundrels appeared to be very quiet.
But everyone knows that these two old geezers are worse than each other.
They must be behind this too.
Arrange for them as well.
Having made up his mind, Yang Shaofeng chuckled and said to Emperor Zhu, "Father-in-law, I remember that the Duke of Han and the Earl of Chengyi are already in their sixties, aren't they?"
Emperor Zhu hummed in agreement, then said with a hint of wistfulness, "Yes, he's already in his sixties."
"Neither of them are young anymore."
"We still remember how spirited and high-spirited the Duke of Han was when he came to seek refuge with us."
"I also remember how arrogant and conceited Li Qiao was when he was recruited as the Earl of Chengyi."
"Now, I'm already in my sixties."
Emperor Zhu glanced at Yang Shaofeng again and said sarcastically, "Thanks to a certain scoundrel, the Duke of Han and the Earl of Chengyi are still alive and well."
Yang Shaofeng smacked his lips and said, "Then I, your son-in-law, shall have a few words to say."
"Think about it, the Duke of Han and the Earl of Chengyi are both over sixty years old, yet they are currently sharing the burdens of their father-in-law in the court. Does this sound good if word gets out?"
“If a wise person heard this, they would know that it was the Duke of Han and the Earl of Chengyi who were sharing the burden of the ruler.”
"But if those brainless people heard this, wouldn't they say that my father-in-law is exploiting meritorious officials, and that the Duke of Han and the Earl of Chengyi are greedy for power?"
Ok? ? ?
We were just talking about some scoundrel, but we didn't name you directly, right?
Emperor Zhu snorted coldly and looked at Yang Shaofeng, asking, "What are you planning to do now?"
Yang Shaofeng chuckled again, cupped his hands and said, "Father-in-law, I just suddenly thought of a question."
"For example, the term 'son-in-law' is just an example."
"Now a lot of things in the court are weighing on the shoulders of the Duke of Han."
"If the Duke of Han were to fall ill one day, wouldn't the affairs of the court be affected?"
Emperor Zhu glanced at Yang Shaofeng again, "Speak your mind, or shut up. Stop beating around the bush."
Yang Shaofeng smiled nonchalantly and said, "Father-in-law, you are wise. I was just thinking, why don't we just set it at around the age when I can retire and return to my hometown?"
"For example, retiring at the age of seventy."
"Or retire at the age of sixty."
"We can't expect a group of elderly people in their eighties to attend court and govern every day."
As soon as Yang Shaofeng finished speaking, Emperor Zhu's first reaction was that this bastard was trying to trick people again!
Moreover, he wanted to frame Li Shanchang and Liu Bowen.
Thinking of this, Emperor Zhu sneered and said, "Then let me ask you, if the Duke of Han and the Earl of Chengyi retire to their hometowns, who will serve as our prime minister?"
Yang Shaofeng thought to himself, "Let whoever you want take the position, as long as it's not me."
Besides, you old man, you're going to be a useless prime minister sooner or later, so why are you pretending to be a big shot here with me?
While cursing Emperor Zhu in his heart, Yang Shaofeng said with a smile, "Father-in-law, please don't be angry. I haven't finished speaking yet."
"What I'm thinking is, we could set a retirement age, but for officials like the Ministers of the Six Ministries and the Left and Right Chancellors of the Central Secretariat, we could rehire them."
"They've retired, but my father-in-law and the court are reluctant to let them actually leave."
"That sounds really good."
Emperor Zhu blinked, thinking to himself that it was indeed true.
It sounds much better to be rehired and die in office than to let them die in office directly.
Even if word gets out, no one will say that Zhu Chongba oppressed his meritorious officials.
They only say that Zhu Yuanzhang (Emperor Chongba) values talent.
Just as Emperor Zhu was pondering this, Yang Shaofeng added, "But in doing so, Father-in-law may have to endure some more hardship."
"After all, the Duke of Han and the Earl of Chengyi, who were rehired, have both entered the Secretariat. There are some things they have to discuss, and in the future, they will inevitably have to take their cases to their father-in-law."
Ok?
Emperor Zhu blinked again.
Where is the Prime Minister?
What about our prime minister, who handles our official duties?
Or perhaps, the power of the prime minister, which has been a headache for emperors throughout history?
So a re-employment arrangement solved the problem?
The more Emperor Zhu thought about it, the more confused he became.
He intended to flee directly back to the capital and then discuss the matter of retiring with Li Shanchang and Liu Bowen.
After all, Emperor Zhu himself was not afraid of the power of the prime minister, nor was his eldest son. But who could guarantee that his descendants would also be unafraid of the power of the prime minister?
If we could solve the problem of power through retirement age and re-employment, as this scoundrel suggested.
Will that save us a lot of trouble in the future?
However, when Emperor Zhu thought of Dengzhou Prefecture, he found it difficult to decide.
This is only our first day in Dengzhou Prefecture, and we've already seen the salt fields. That scoundrel has also proposed the concept of a university and, incidentally, solved the problem of the prime minister's power.
If we had stayed a few more days, how many more good things would that bastard have been able to bring out?
And there are also border markets.
We've finally managed to get out of the city, shouldn't we take a good look at the border market in Dengzhou Prefecture?
Of course, Zhu Chongba had absolutely no intention of visiting any clubs or other immoral places.
As for the Silla maids...
Damn it, Wang Zhuan already sent it to us a long time ago, okay?
Thinking of this, Emperor Zhu felt somewhat displeased.
Brother Li and his family are so picky! They picked out all the good ones, along with their meritorious members, leaving only these ugly and broken ones when it was Old Zhu's turn.
If we were to reward these Silla maids to our meritorious officials, which one would be willing to accept such a reward?
They might even think that Old Zhu is targeting them.
That is to say, this bastard would covet the so-called Silla maid.
While inwardly cursing, Emperor Zhu slowly continued walking forward.
Yang Shaofeng quickly followed Emperor Zhu's steps and pointed to the small boats getting closer and closer on the sea, saying, "These are people who go out to sea to fish."
"However, these boats are all too small and not strong enough to withstand wind and waves, so they can only rely on the weather every time they go out to sea."
"If you're lucky, you can earn several or even more than ten strings of cash a day."
"If you're unlucky, you might not earn much money in a day."
"I'm thinking that once Dengzhou University is really established, I'll have them research large ships that can withstand wind and waves."
“Let them use the boat first, and we’ll collect money monthly. Once we’ve collected enough, the boat will belong to them.”
"Anyway, nobody can be idle; everyone has to work like a slave to earn money and pay off debts."
Emperor Zhu glanced at Yang Shaofeng, then turned and walked towards the sea.
That bastard is going crazy again.
I don't know where they learned this habit of saying one thing and doing another.
Forget about working like a slave to earn money and pay off debts.
If things were really as he said, Ningyang County would have been in complete chaos long ago.
Just as Emperor Zhu was inwardly complaining, Yang Shaofeng continued, "There's just one more problem. Shipbuilding requires timber."
"Unfortunately, our Dengzhou Prefecture doesn't have that much usable timber."
"Therefore, the people of Dengzhou Prefecture can only live this kind of hard life right now."
"Tsk tsk, what a fine ship. Shouldn't they make them pay back their debts for thirty years?"
Emperor Zhu suddenly stopped in his tracks, turned to look at Yang Shaofeng, and said, "You scoundrel, do you know what kind of mess you're making of yourself?"
Seeing Yang Shaofeng's completely bewildered expression, Emperor Zhu continued, "You're just like that cunning accountant who just can't figure things out no matter what!"