Red Mansion: Seizing Jiangdong, starting with pirates

Chapter 22, Drinking and Talking

Xue Dacuizi pulled Fang Yong to his home to talk, and a banquet had already been prepared at home.

After the two of them sat down one by one, Xue Dacui began to explain for Fang Yong.

However, after the Jinhai riot, the city was almost destroyed.

All kinds of shops, common people, and wealthy families were first looted by the rebels, and then swept away by the soldiers who were suppressing the bandits. It can be said that they were basically cleared out.

But people have to live, and the ruined city needs to develop quickly. Otherwise, as time goes by, it will be impossible to hide the truth even with all-powerful connections.

So the next thing is simple.

"So, we still have connections in the military?"

Fang Yong asked with a smile.

Xue Dacui took a sip of wine and said:
"Yes, of course. Vice Admiral Jin Hai is our old relative. Even if we don't have much face, we can still do him a favor... Well, anyway, we have some relationship."

Relying on this relationship, after selling the goods, Xue Wu directly expanded his business in Jinhai. He not only took the opportunity to control part of the canal transport business, but also bought more than a dozen shops in the local area.

This is nothing. People like Xue Wu just drank a mouthful of the broth.

The local wealthy families and the dignitaries in the court were seizing shops and various resources on every street, almost dividing up the entire Jinhai.

Fang Yong was eating shrimp and asked

"Canal transport, are there still so many canal workers after the riot?"

Xue the Cripple waved his hand.

"No more, but don't worry, the most indispensable thing in this world is people! After the implementation of the new policy this year, the surrounding areas of Jinhai are full of people who can't make a living. As long as there is a hot meal, they will come to the rescue."

Fang Yong shook his head and sighed.

“The people are suffering.”

Xue Daguizi had been paying attention to Fang Yong. When he saw Fang Yong talking about the common people, Xue Daguizi's heart moved, and he took the opportunity to test him:
"Third boss, what do you think of the current situation in the world? Take the area around Hongze Lake for example. I heard from my subordinates that all the grass roots on both sides of the lake have been pulled out. It's only the winter solstice. How do you think the people will live in the days ahead? Alas, I don't know whether it will be a blessing or a curse!"

Listening to what Xue Dacui said, Fang Yong smiled slightly in his heart.

Want to test yourself?
hum.

Fang Yong calmly took a bite of the mandarin fish, picked up the wine glass and took a sip, then said nonchalantly:
"I heard someone say that good fortune is the root of misfortune, and misfortune is the root of good fortune. The people are responsible for their own happiness and misfortune. What does what happens outside have to do with us brothers?"

When Xue Dacui heard this, a look of disappointment suddenly flashed in his eyes.

I have no ambition and only know how to live a comfortable life.

Fang Yong and his second brother had exactly the same idea.

Xue Dacui wanted to persuade him, but looking at Fang Yong who was concentrating on picking up the food, he opened his mouth but ultimately said nothing.

It is easy to change the country but difficult to change one's nature. Just like his second brother, he has advised him countless times, but it is useless.

"The Third Master is right. What happens outside is none of our business. Let's drink. Drink!"

Xue Dacuizi clinked glasses with Fang Yong.

Fang Yong took the wine glass, drank the wine, and said:
“This wine is good!”

Xue Da Quezi introduced:
"This is Peigong wine from Pei County. Legend has it that Liu Bang, the first emperor of the Han Dynasty, once drank this wine and sang the Great Wind Song, hence the name!"

At this point, perhaps a little drunk, Xue Dacui sang casually:
"The wind rises and the clouds fly, my power spreads across the country and I return to my hometown. How can I find brave warriors to guard the four directions!"

Fang Yong clapped his hands and praised:
“Great song!”

After praising, Fang Yong shook his head slightly.

"It's a pity that I don't have the great ambitions of Emperor Gaozu of Han. If I were given the opportunity, the most I could do would be to help the people in my hometown so that they no longer suffer from war and hunger."

When Xue Dacui heard this, his expression changed and he suddenly felt a little hopeful.

"Third Master, what do you mean?"

Fang Yong waved his hand and said casually:

"Don't mention it, don't mention it. Without money, everything I say is just empty talk. Why don't you and I stay here and drink, drink!"

Fang Yong lowered his head and began to drink again. But Xue Da Lame could no longer sit still and said:
"Third Master, please don't do that. You don't have any silver, but I do!"

Fang Yong raised his head and said:
"Oh, you have silver. How much do you have?"

Xue Dacui immediately said: "Five..."

Hiss, that’s not right. Who is testing whom?

After thinking for a moment, Xue Dacui said a number.

"Fifty thousand taels!"

Fang Yong laughed and said:

"If I had fifty thousand taels of silver, I could buy grain and store land, so that the people of my hometown would not suffer from famine!"

Xue Dacui was a little disappointed when he heard this:

"Third Master, do you only want to help the people in your hometown?"

Fang Yongdao:
"Family members are closer than distant relatives. I am a nostalgic person. If I have the ability, I will definitely think of helping those closest to me first. Besides, I only have 50,000 taels of silver, which is only enough to help my fellow villagers."

After hearing what Fang Yong said, Xue Daguizi thought about it and felt that what Fang Yong said seemed to be correct.

Treat the close ones first and the distant ones later, and attach importance to feelings, which is also a very good advantage in a sense.

The only drawback is...it's too small.

Xue Dacui thought for a moment and then asked:
"What if you have 100,000 taels of silver?"

Fang Yong said without hesitation:

"One hundred thousand taels of silver is not a lot. I grew up near Hongze Lake, and I have relatives on both sides of this lake. One hundred thousand taels of silver is just enough for me to help them."

Xue Dacui's eyes gradually brightened up.

"What if you have 500,000 taels of silver?"

Fang Yong still answered without thinking:
"Huaizhou is the land where I was born and raised. The people of Huaizhou are my relatives. I believe that 500,000 taels of silver can help them live a stable life."

The smile on Xue Daguizi's face could no longer be suppressed.

"What if you have five million taels of silver?"

Fang Yong still didn't think twice, as if these had already been engraved in his heart.

"As the ancients said, it is hard to move from one's hometown. Suzhou is my hometown, and the people of Suzhou are my relatives. Five million taels of silver should be able to save the people of Suzhou from hardship!"

Xue Dacui slammed the dining table!
"Fifty million taels! What would you do if you had fifty million taels of silver?"

Fang Yong became serious and said:

"I grew up drinking the water of the Yangtze River. The river is like my mother. The people on both sides of the river are my compatriots. If I had 50 million taels of silver, my compatriots would surely have enough food and clothing and live in peace and contentment."

Xue the Cripple stood up in ecstasy.

"One hundred million taels! What would you do if you had one hundred million taels of silver?"

Fang Yong did not answer this time, but looked at Xue the Cripple with a smile.

"As for this question, you should wait until you have earned 100 million taels of silver before you come to me and ask me again!"

After hearing this, Xue Dacui stopped asking questions. He had already got the answer he wanted.

Xue Dacui picked up the wine glass and chanted:
"My heart is filled with ambitions to conquer the world, and my heart is concerned about the people and the peace of the world."

"Third brother, your ambition should be made clear!"

Fang Yong smiled and drank with him.

"Haha, so you're calling me Third Brother now?"

Xue Dacui smiled:
"Don't be upset, Third Brother. Those who make promises lightly will be untrustworthy. Think twice before making a decision, and you will be consistent. I am good at business, and I am willing to do my best to help you succeed!"

(End of this chapter)