The next day, the little fat man immediately held a court meeting.
The purpose of the court meeting was naturally to build a new pasture to raise cattle. After the little fat man summoned the ministers, he did not say anything himself. Zheng Xuan immediately stood up and mentioned what happened yesterday. Hearing that Zheng Xuan wanted to personally herd cattle for the emperor, everyone
They were all a little surprised. The little fat man looked at Wang Fu. Wang Fu, who was silent at first and stared at He Xiu fiercely, heard Zheng Xuan's suggestion. Suddenly, his eyes lit up and he immediately forgot to tell He Xiu.
He thought for a moment, then immediately got up and wrote: "Your Majesty, this matter has great potential. When the people were stationed, I suffered from the shortage of cattle. There were less than 100,000 cattle in the world. Every place had to borrow cattle in turn, and many places had not yet
I have cattle, but I can only rely on the young men and women from the countryside to work as draft animals. It really makes me sad. If the imperial court can raise enough cattle, tomorrow’s spring planting and autumn harvest will no longer have to worry about livestock power!”
Wang Fu suddenly said happily: "This matter can be left to me. Zheng Xuan is far inferior to me!"
Zheng Xuan frowned, looked at him with some displeasure, and said: "Your Majesty, I have been reading the agricultural books for a long time. I can definitely do something about this!" Zheng Xuan was probably one of the very few in the entire temple who did not agree with Wang Fu.
He was an enemy official, but Wang Fu did not change his opinion because of this. He shook his head and said: "I used to farm with my former residence, and I also raised three or four cattle. You just read the agricultural book, is it right?"
It's impossible to do this well..."
The little fat man was a little helpless. This Wangfu is really... He said: "Your Majesty, if you are responsible for herding cattle, what about the road construction? You'd better put more thought and effort into the construction work.
Come on, within three years, you will give me a path that can be passed down to future generations!" He looked at Zheng Xuan, who was a little angry, and said: "Zheng Jun is also dedicated to the country. I thought that the matter of herding cattle was
Just leave it to him."
Zheng Xuan's expression improved, he stood up and bowed to the emperor.
"I will definitely do this well and never let down His Majesty's high expectations!"
Wang Fu behind him shook his head and said, "You can't do it well."
Zheng Xuan jumped up angrily. He had never known before that every time there was a court meeting, all the ministers would cry out in unison and ask for a letter from King Jie. Now he understood. If this thief is reported to the court next time, please bring me with him!
Wang Fu turned a blind eye to his anger and spoke indifferently. Zheng Xuan suddenly looked at the emperor and said: "Your Majesty, if you cannot raise one hundred thousand cattle for your Majesty within two years! I will tie my legs to a huge stone and drown myself in the river."
!”
The little fat man waved his hand and ordered the retreat.
Zheng Xuan walked out of the palace gate, glared at Wang Fu with some displeasure, turned around and walked out. Yang Qiu on the side said helplessly to Wang Fu: "Why bother the prince? He is a sincere gentleman. I
I have never heard of any evil deeds by him..." Wang Fu smiled, shook his head and said: "If I don't provoke him, how can he raise 100,000 cattle in three years?"
Yang Qiu remained silent.
Zheng Xuan left the palace and went to look for Wen Renxi. At that time, a single name was more valuable than a double name, but Wen Renxi was not a double name. His surname was Wenren, and his given name was Xi.
It comes from the Shaozheng clan of the Lu State, among which the representatives are such as Shaozhengmao. This person became a famous person because of Confucius at that time, that is, a figure that everyone has heard of. Therefore, they took this title as their surname and called it Wen.
people.
This man was young and failed in his ambitions, just like Yang Qiu, he was also a scholar who loved Legalism, and he usually regarded himself as a disciple of Legalism. The little fat man liked to use this kind of guy, so he first worshiped him as the dianong of Jizhou.
After his success, General Zhonglang brought him back to Luoyang and paid homage to the three Dukes. The current three Dukes, He Xiu, Qiao Xuan, and Wenren Xi were all close to the Emperor. If Zheng Xuan wanted to do these things, he would naturally have to first
Visit Wen Renxi.
Zheng Xuan waited respectfully for half an hour in his mansion. Hearing Renxi, he walked in a little tiredly. He was now busy building roads with Wang Fu. The money Wang Fu needed came from
Wen Renxi wanted to ask for something here. He knew in the morning that the emperor wanted to herd cattle. He was not surprised when Zheng Xuan came. He paid homage to Zheng Xuan and then sat facing each other. Wen Renxi didn't want to say too much and asked directly.
:"how much money do you need?"
"The price of an ox is 4,500 yuan. I want to buy a thousand oxen. I also need to build extensive pastures, recruit farmers, and prepare fodder..."
"What four thousand five hundred dollars? Don't try to fool me!" Wen Renxi looked very angry. He stood up, pointed at Zheng Xuan's nose, and cursed: "Around Luoyang, there are less cattle and more land, so the price of cattle is
It costs 4,460 yuan, but if you go north to Jiyou, the price of cattle can reach 3,200 yuan! The cheapest place is in the Guanzhong area, where the cattle for farming only cost 2,400 yuan. I didn’t even know, so I wanted to ask.
I want money? See you off!!”
The stunned Zheng Xuan was kicked out by his disciples. Zheng Xuan was a little confused. Could it be that he was really not suitable for this?
In desperation, he had no choice but to go into the palace to meet the emperor, and told the story of Wenren's attack. When the little fat man learned about it, he summoned Wenren to the palace again.
It was the first time Wen Renxi came to the palace to pay homage to the emperor, and he looked a little nervous. When he saw the emperor, he immediately paid his respects. The little fat man smiled and helped him up. After greeting him for a few words, he looked up and suddenly saw Zheng Xuan beside him, his expression became a little tense.
Displeased, the little fat man asked: "I heard that you are very familiar with the prices of farm cattle in the world?" Hearing this, he cupped his hands and said, "I know a little bit."
The little fat man nodded and said, "In your opinion, if you want to raise a thousand cattle, how much will it cost?"
Wen Renxi was frowning and thinking, but did not speak. Zheng Xuan stood aside and said: "In Wen Renjun's opinion, the price of farming cattle is two thousand four hundred, and one thousand head is two million yuan, plus the construction of pastures."
, the manpower to help and the feed for the cattle will cost more than six million yuan."
The little fat man was stunned. He had never thought that it would cost up to six million yuan to herd cattle. He suddenly felt a little distressed, but he had already issued an edict and could not change it. He looked up at Zheng Xuan, and then looked at it again.
Wen Renxi, but he didn't think about it. Wen Renxi seemed to be more concerned than himself. He stared at Zheng Xuan with wide eyes, took a breath of cold air, shook his head quickly, and said: "Your Majesty, the national treasury is empty, and the people need to build villages again."
, these six million dollars...can't be used for road construction and other things!"
Zheng Xuan was helpless. He also knew that the cost was indeed high, but this matter would definitely be beneficial and harmless in the future.
The little fat man rubbed his forehead and asked: "Wen Renjun, what do you think? Six million dollars is indeed a bit high..."
Wenrenxi pointed at Zheng Xuan with some distress and said: "Your Majesty, this person is a mediocre and incompetent person. He only talks about six million yuan and wastes state assets!" Zheng Xuan was a little unhappy. If your Majesty is angry, I can understand.
After all, the money in the treasury belongs to His Majesty. The question is, why are you, a minister, so distressed and angry? Zheng Xuan asked again: "I wonder how much money this matter will cost, as you see it?"
"Three thousand six hundred dollars."
"What?"
"Three thousand six hundred dollars."
Wen Renxi replied very calmly. Both the little fat man and Zheng Xuan were stunned. Three thousand six hundred dollars to buy a cattle?
"Your Majesty, there are so many cattle in the world, why do you need to buy them? As long as they are used to graze the cattle and returned to them for farming in the future, why don't you send them over? You know, the imperial court has to feed the cattle and send people to take care of them. Those people are exempted. Regardless of these chores, the cattle will not be deprived of them and will naturally be sent to the government one after another. We will record these people and return them after the year or pay some money. Your Majesty can get tens of thousands of cattle without any cost. money!"
"Around Liangzhou, there are many grasslands used as pastures, where many Qiang and Han people herd cattle. Your Majesty can send the Northern Army to Wuwei to suppress local unrest, to help the migrating powerful settlers, and to seize the surrounding pastures. If the Qiang people want to graze here in the future, the Northern Army can recruit money and then let them in. In this way, it will not only cost money, but the temple can also make a lot of money!"
Seeing Wen Renxi talking eloquently, the little fat man was stunned. What a talent!