Liu Ling read most of the book in one breath. It was already past noon. He stood up and stretched, and suddenly heard a series of very slight muffled sounds. When he turned around to look, he found that Zhou Yangong was holding his stomach in embarrassment.
Sit there and look at yourself.
Liu Ling laughed and said, "I'm hungry. You can have lunch with me."
After saying that, Liu Ling held the official guide in his hand and walked outside first. Zhou Yangong followed Liu Ling with his head lowered, his stomach still growling unsatisfactorily. In fact, Prince Zhong's Mansion
The boy in the house had come to deliver meals to Duke Zhou Yan in the morning, but as soon as he heard that Prince Zhong was in the house, he didn't dare to go in and disturb him. This was very painful for Duke Zhou Yan, because he was a man who couldn't stand being hungry.
I would rather be beheaded than not have enough to eat.
When Liu Ling walked to his study, the little maid Minhui was worried because she couldn't find Liu Ling. The food had been heated twice, but she still couldn't find where the prince had gone. After asking the concierge, he didn't see him.
When the prince went out, he went to find Zhao Er and Hua Sanlang, but neither of them heard that the prince had anything to do with him. When he asked the guards below, no one knew where the prince had gone.
Minhui panicked, but Zhao Er and Hua Sanlang also panicked. The prince had just recovered a little, but if another accident happened, several people would have to regret it.
Just as they were about to mobilize the guards to find the whereabouts of the prince, they saw Liu Ling walking leisurely with her hands behind her back. Minhui and others rushed to greet her, and the little maid cried and saluted Liu Ling. Liu Ling's eyes turned red when she saw her.
Hong looked guilty, it was really not easy for this girl to handle so many housework every day at such a young age.
"My lord, where have you been? You scared me to death."
Xiao Minhui said with a slightly aggrieved tone.
Liu Ling said: "Get up quickly. I will be talking to Mr. Zhou in the house for a while."
Minhui said: "The people in the mansion are panicking because they can't find you. My lord, I beg you, next time you go wherever you go, please bring a few guards with you, okay?"
Liu Ling pulled Minhui up and said in a dumbfounded voice: "Do I still need to have guards at home? Okay, okay, don't cry. It's not enough even if I promise you. Well... I'm hungry, Mr. Zhou
Eat with me and prepare meals for two."
"Well! I'll go right now, slave!"
The little girl Minhui burst into laughter and ran all the way to the kitchen.
At this time, Zhao Er and others were standing on one side, and dozens of guards were standing there. Liu Ling waved his hand and said, "Go back, you are all hungry too."
The guards resigned, and Zhou Yangong said with emotion: "I really didn't expect the prince to be so approachable. People say that the prince is ruthless and ruthless. It seems that these rumors are not true."
Liu Ling smiled and said, "Let's go and talk in my study."
The two of them had just sat down in the study room when the little girl Minhui came in carrying a big tray. When Zhou Yangong saw that it was time to eat, his stomach growled again. He was eager to eat on the prince's stove.
, but when Minhui opened the food box, he was stunned.
This meal was actually slightly less than what he usually eats!
Two bowls of white rice, one plate of stir-fried bean sprouts, and one plate of stir-fried bok choy with dried shrimps. Nothing else!
Liu Ling saw that Zhou Yangong's expression was wrong, and he immediately realized and said: "Minhui, go and add two more bowls of white rice and some vegetables. Mr. Zhou has a big appetite, and this bowl of white rice is definitely not enough."
Minhui said oh, and glanced at Zhou Yangong intentionally or unintentionally. Watching her walk out of the door, Zhou Yangong was about to speak when he heard Minhui muttering as she walked: "I don't know why you keep such an idle person, the prince himself
I haven’t eaten meat for several days, and I have to serve him with wine and meat every day. I only know how to shake my head and pretend to be a scholar with no strength, but he has a surprisingly big appetite!"
Liu Ling saw Zhou Yangong's face turning pale and red, and then he laughed at himself: "This little girl is usually spoiled by me, sir, don't take it to heart."
Zhou Yangong said: "No, Your Majesty, Miss Minhui is right. I think I, Zhou Yangong, am also a tall and dignified man. Wen can't stabilize the country, and force can't expand the territory. I usually think that I am self-righteous, and I am complacent about some small achievements. Now look at it.
Come on, I, Duke Yan of Zhou, am not as knowledgeable as a little maid. My lord, Duke Yan is ashamed!"
He lifted his robe and knelt down and said: "Eating the food sent from the kitchen every day, Mr. Yan still complained a lot. Every meal was meat and vegetable. He also thought that the food was not good, saying that the prince did not know the courtesy and the corporal had insulted his status. Now look at the prince.
Food, only then did Mr. Yan realize how reckless and ignorant he is."
Liu Ling pulled Zhou Yangong up, looked at the food and said: "Recently, the imperial court has encountered some difficulties, and the ministers are trying their best to donate money to make state assets. As a prince, Liu Ling naturally has to set an example."
Duke Yan of Zhou sighed: "Your Majesty is so noble, why should I, a man, worry about not being strong?"
Liu Ling laughed and said, "Come, let's eat and talk."
At this time, Minhui was carrying two bowls of white rice and a plate of braised beef, which was one of the meals given to Zhou Yangong on weekdays. Putting the food on the table, Minhui snorted and went out. Zhou Yangong felt embarrassed again.
, his expression changed again. He was also a man who wanted to save face, so it would not look good to be ridiculed by a little girl like this.
Liu Ling said: "Come, let's eat first. Aren't you hungry already? I still have something to ask sir."
Zhou Yangong said: "My lord, please don't use the word sir again. Yangong has no virtue and talent and cannot be called sir. Your lord, you should just call me by my name, so that I can feel more at ease."
"
Liu Lingdao: "The Analects of Confucius has something to say, Confucius said: When three people walk together, they must have my teacher. Yan Gong is determined and can do things that are difficult for ordinary people, and he will surely achieve great success in the future. But since you sound uncomfortable and feel uncomfortable, then
I will just call you Yan Gong from now on."
Liu Ling gave Zhou Yangong a piece of beef with chopsticks and asked: "Now the ministers in the court are generously donating money to solve the crisis of Liao's tribute collection, and the people are complaining about this. What do you think?"
Zhou Yangong swallowed a big mouthful of rice and said: "I have heard people in the government talk about this matter. I know that the prince has no choice but to propose this. But in this way, the face of the court is indeed not good-looking. The people also have some complaints.
It's normal, because they feel that our country, the Han Dynasty, has let them down. The people are simple and stupid, and most of them follow what others say but don't understand what they are saying. When one person shouts a slogan, many people will follow him."
"This is another manifestation of the servility of the people. They believe what others say. Therefore, those who talk endlessly will not go hungry. Since ancient times, many such people have become guests of princes, generals, and ministers.
Just open your mouth and you can live and breathe."
He smiled self-deprecatingly and said, "Just like me now, I am the same."
He continued: "Your Majesty, you should know that public opinion is as fierce as a tiger. If you don't appease the good people, I'm afraid things will change over time."
Liu Ling nodded and said, "What do you think?"
Zhou Yangong thought for a while and said: "Just like Yu the Great in controlling floods, it is better to channel than to channel. You can't stop it, even if you kill one to make a warning to others, it will not have any effect. In this case, it is better to guide their public opinion!"
Liu Ling's eyes lit up, he put down his chopsticks and asked, "Be specific."
Zhou Yanggong said: "In this way, the prince can send some people to give speeches where the people gather, state the pros and cons to the people, and guide their thinking. Nowadays, there are many disaster victims in Taiyuan City, and these people have nothing to do on weekdays, which is the best way to spread the news.
Tools. Now the imperial court has set up a porridge shed to support their daily lives. This is a good place where the prince can make a big fuss."
"Send some eloquent people to infiltrate the victims and spread the stakes of the country's survival. Although the people are stupid, they also know which is more important. If the country is destroyed, the family will be destroyed. If the big man is gone, they will not even have that
It’s not difficult to understand why you can’t even drink porridge. Compared with face and wealth and life, the latter is obviously much more important.”
"After creating public opinion, the prince might as well send people to visit the rich households in the city. Tell them the same reason and let them donate some money and food voluntarily. These rich households are far more afraid of death than ordinary people.
, so it is not necessarily difficult to obtain money and food from them. Moreover, the prince can verbally promise them some benefits, such as reducing some commercial taxes, or issuing a reward or something."
"These wealthy households are very face-conscious. If they are recognized and rewarded by the court, they will feel good even if they give out some money and food. It is the capital for them to show off with their peers. The court can even give them some empty official positions based on the amount of donations. This
The official position does not need to be very big, it is just a signal and a form. In this way, if it is spread from one to ten, and from ten to a hundred, the wealthy people in the Han Dynasty will be ready to take action. "
Liu Ling slapped the table and said, "Wonderful! There is almost no difference between what Yan Gong said and what I thought. This plan is feasible!"
Zhou Yangong was shocked. He thought he was the only one who thought of this. It turned out that Liu Ling had already thought of this. But when he thought that his knowledge was almost the same as that of Prince Zhong, the disappointment in his heart suddenly returned.
Dissipated.
Liu Ling pushed his rice bowl, picked up the "General Guide to Officials" written by Zhou Yangong and said: "Gong Yan, eat slowly. I will go to the palace to meet with Your Majesty to talk about this matter. By the way, I will submit this "Tongjian to Officials".
Show it to Your Majesty, and then tell His Majesty what you said before. I will recommend you to His Majesty. If nothing happens, Duke Yan, just wait for His Majesty’s decree!"
Zhou Yangong was startled by Liu Ling's sudden move. When he heard that Liu Ling was going to submit the official guide he had worked hard on for ten years to his current emperor, he felt a sudden panic in his heart, and then he felt a stronger sense of fear.
A dizzy feeling of intense happiness came to his mind. In fact, he had been dreaming of this day for countless days and nights, but when it was about to come true, he was at a loss.
Seeing his dumbfounded look and the tears in the corners of his eyes, Liu Ling walked over and patted him on the shoulder and said: "The country does not select scholars based on their birth level. Mr. Yan, you are talented and knowledgeable."
Full of knowledge, you will definitely achieve great things in the future. If our country of Han can have a few more talents like you, why worry about not being strong?"
"Wait for my news at home. I will call you Mr. Zhou from now on."
Liu Ling laughed loudly, holding the official's book in hand, and strode out of the study.
Outside the door, Zhao Er and Hua Sanlang were standing not far away. They were really scared. Seeing Liu Ling coming out, the two people hurriedly stepped forward and asked, "Your Majesty, do you want to leave the house?"
Liu Ling nodded and said: "Prepare your horses, I am going to the palace to face the Holy One!" (To be continued)
