Zhutian: Starting from the Space-Time Merchant

Chapter 292 Liu Bowen

The Three Idiots of the Wu-speaking Region.

Apart from the small lizards of Jinzhou, the Suzhou and Hangzhou areas are almost one.

Although Xue was from Suzhou, his family business gradually moved to Hangzhou.

On the one hand, many overseas merchant ships entered and docked at Qiantang from Hangzhou Bay.

For merchants dealing in silk and tea, this place is even more convenient.

Another example is the traditional, old-fashioned approach used throughout history.

Master Xue's powerful backer is about to collapse.

Within Suzhou city, from the Darughachi down to the clerks and scribes, everyone was sharpening their knives, ready to devour his fat sheep.

Instead of waiting to die, Master Xue spent a fortune to get involved with the Zhang family, a powerful clan that had only recently regained its influence.

They are descendants of Zhang Rou, specifically Zhang Tianyou and his son Zhang Yu from the same branch of the family.

Their renewed wealth and status only lasted a few years, and they also needed the support of wealthy merchants.

The two sides hit it off immediately.

Master Xue gradually transferred his business, and even his family property and family members, from Suzhou in batches.

The real intention behind this banquet was to marry one of her two daughters to Zhang Yu.

Although his two daughters were much older than Zhang Yu, marriage alliances are primarily about binding interests; other conditions are insignificant.

If possible, Master Xue even planned to marry both of his daughters to him.

On the day of the banquet, almost all the well-known figures in Hangzhou attended.

Even Hu Ci, who had been knocked unconscious by Lin Dao earlier, came.

This Darughachi of Hangzhou was no longer as arrogant and boastful as before.

He sat there with his head down, silently drinking his wine.

He rarely even uses chopsticks because he has lost many teeth and can only eat liquid food.

"Sudden assassination~"

His foreign steward rushed over and bent down to report, "That thief is here!"

Hu Ci, whose cheeks were noticeably sunken, looked up in confusion and spoke in a lisp, "Water...is it here?"

"That's the thief who injured you!"

Hu Ci, holding a wine glass, paused for a moment.

He then slammed the wine glass in his hand to the ground and abruptly stood up, yelling, "Dog! Dog! Dog!"

The foreign steward was still wondering where the dog came from in such a gathering of guests.

Fortunately, I quickly realized that the master meant "Let's go, let's go!"
It was exactly the same as the banquet at the Book Fragrance Courtyard last time.

Distinguished guests were all in the inner hall.

As for the ordinary guests who were there to create an atmosphere and show that the host had many guests, they ate in the outer courtyard.

"My boss."

Shi Nai'an led a middle-aged man with a square crown, a scholar's robe, a black beard like a dragon, and a tall stature and long arms to Lin Dao.

"This is Liu Ji, courtesy name Bowen, who passed the imperial examination in the same year as me."

Lin Dao raised his head and looked over.

According to folklore, Liu Bowen was a diviner who was proficient in astronomy, geography, and even meteorology.

His rumors have even been elevated to the level of Zhuge Liang.

"Zhuge Liang divided the world into three kingdoms, Liu Bowen unified the country."

"The strategist of the previous dynasty was Zhuge Liang; the strategist of the later dynasty was Liu Bowen."

Even Zhu Yuanzhang praised him, calling him "my Zhang Liang."

With such a great reputation, Lin Dao had long heard of it.

"please."

He gestured for him to sit down.

This superior's attitude made Liu Bowen slightly displeased.

He claimed to be able to predict the future, but at most he could only think that his friend Shi Nai'an dared to come to Hangzhou, but he couldn't believe that the Ming King would also dare to come.

They assumed Lin Dao was a general in the Red Turban Army.

After taking their seats, Liu Bowen explained first, "I only recently received Brother Zhaorui's letter."

"I was teaching in Dantu not long ago."

"Upon arriving in Hangzhou, my son fell ill with a persistent high fever, and I was so anxious that I had no mind to pay attention to foreign affairs."

This explanation is quite reasonable.

It's perfectly understandable that she didn't reply because she was concerned about her son's condition.

However, Lin Dao didn't care about any of that.

He looked Liu Bowen in the eye and asked bluntly, "Would you like to join the Red Turban Army?"

Liu Bowen was so frightened that he trembled.

He quickly looked around, afraid that someone might overhear him.

Almost all the officials and clerks from Hangzhou attended today's banquet.

To dare to mention the Red Turban Army in such a setting is truly audacious.

"This one~"

Shi Nai'an did not introduce Lin Dao's identity, so Liu Ji could only address him as "Brother, be careful with your words."

"This place is Hangzhou."

"Those present are all officials of the imperial court. If this news gets out, I fear something unbearable might happen."

Lin Dao, however, did not care at all.

He poured himself a glass of wine. "Hangzhou?"

"So what if it's Hangzhou?"

"Not to mention Hangzhou, even Dadu (Beijing) cannot keep me here."

"Unless there really is a Minmintemur."

Lin Dao was not bragging; if he wanted to rush out, most people wouldn't be able to stop his tracks.

However, if Zhao Min leads a group of martial arts masters to block their way, then things are hard to say.

Of course, this is not the world of The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber, so Lin Dao was full of confidence.

Upon hearing this, Liu Bowen secretly curled his lip.

He also glanced at Shi Nai'an subconsciously.

This guy, who's the same age as me, seems so unreliable despite his age.

That's quite a boast!

Within the city of Hangzhou, there were government officials, constables, jailers, patrol officers, soldiers, Han garrison troops, scouts, and so on.

In total, there were several thousand people.

You're all alone with an old man—oh, and a kid—and you dare to talk so arrogantly.

Thinking of this, Liu Bowen, who was already unwilling to join the Red Turban Army, became even more determined in his belief.

"Arrogant and disdainful of others. He's destined for mediocrity."

'For the sake of my wife and children, I cannot get involved.'

Liu Bowen was a truly intelligent man who was very good at assessing situations and situations.

Although many rebel armies had emerged across the land at this time, he still felt they were not yet ready.

The Yuan Dynasty still possessed vast territory and countless armies.

Taking advantage of the internal weakness, they launched a surprise attack on the imperial court, and the rebel army will soon be crushed by the court's million-strong army.

Joining at this point would be tantamount to suicide.

Besides, according to the past patterns of dynastic change.

Having survived the Yuan Dynasty, which lasted only two generations, it should have had a national fortune of over a hundred years.

Having figured all this out, Liu Bowen's expression grew increasingly cold.

Therefore, he is a smart person who knows how to weigh the pros and cons.

Historically, the Red Turban Army's three-pronged northern expedition shook the world, and Prime Minister Tuotuo's million-strong army besieged Zhang Shicheng, but ended in failure.

These two major events truly shook the foundations of the Yuan Dynasty's rule, making many intelligent people realize that the Great Yuan was truly doomed.

Even so, Liu Bowen waited until ten years later, when the situation of the world had become clear, before he finally pledged his allegiance to Zhu Yuanzhang.

Now?

How can it be!

A wise person avoids standing under a dangerous wall; they only invest and share when they are certain there will be benefits.

No wonder, he was praised to the skies, but in the end, he was just an uncle in Old Zhu's eyes.

Lin Dao, observing his words and expressions, had already understood his thoughts.

He smiled calmly and said, "I understand what you're thinking."

"Remember your choice, and never regret it later."

Liu Bowen wanted to say a few more polite words, but Lin Dao interrupted him, saying, "I have another question for you."

“You people.”

"I'm referring to gentry, landlords, scholars, wealthy merchants, and their cronies."

"Have you who call yourselves the people ever thought about where you stand in the new dynasty?"

Upon hearing this, Liu Bowen burst out laughing.

He was usually composed, but even he was provoked into laughing by Lin Dao's boastful tone.

What does this have to do with anything? How did it become a new dynasty?

You really underestimate the Yuan Dynasty, which has a vast territory.

Is this person crazy or an idiot?

Liu Bowen carefully examined Lin Dao, noting his extraordinary demeanor and confident expression.

There are no symptoms of dementia.

He thought for a moment and said, "Following the usual procedure will suffice."

Following precedent, but whose precedent?
This followed the precedent set by the previous dynasty.

In other words, it should be copied exactly as is.

You can follow the example of the Yuan Dynasty or the example of the Song Dynasty.

It would be even better if we could follow the example of the Song Dynasty.

After all, the Song Dynasty was a paradise for scholars, a golden age indeed.

"Oh."

Lin Dao picked up some food, glanced at Shi Nai'an who was frantically giving Liu Bowen meaningful glances, and asked again, "I've heard that you have close relationships with prominent figures in Jiangzuo such as Ouyang Su, Liu Xianren, Zheng Shiting, and Xiong Wenyan."

Do they think the same way you do?

Liu Bowen was a steady and reliable person.

He also noticed the subtle hints that Shi Nai'an was giving him.

But today, he was angered by Lin Dao's boastful words.

Without hesitation, he replied, "That's right, all the famous scholars of Jiangzuo think the same way."

"Oh~~~"

Shi Nai'an, standing to the side, looked up at the sky and sighed deeply.

Lin Dao glanced at him and said, "Go stand outside."

After giving Liu Bowen, whose face was full of bewilderment, and Shi Nai'an, who was speechless, a deep look, Shi Nai'an walked out of the courtyard.

'That fool Liu Ji, you've really dragged all the scholars of Jiangzuo into a trap!'

Lin Dao then asked, "I've heard that you also have a good relationship with those who live outside the secular world."

"What do you think of these monks who lend money to ordinary people at interest rates?"

Liu Bowen frowned. "All the Venerable Masters are compassionate."

"Profit-making is also a way to help people in their time of need; it is a good deed."

"Heh~" Lin Dao scoffed, "A good deed."

"This is the worst insult ever given to this word."

Liu Bowen felt a slight unease; he sensed that something was amiss.

He took a breath and said gently, "If there is a true Son of Heaven, righteous people from all over the land will naturally rush to help."

"We will never be stingy with money, food, or manpower."

"Even Buddhists will assist the true dragon for the sake of all living beings."

This is an attempt to make amends.

This is a standard practice.

The founding of each dynasty was almost always the same.

For gentry and scholars, this was called angel investment.

And the true dragons, having gained support, can conquer the world at the fastest speed.

Zhu Yuanzhang gained the support of these landlords and powerful families when he conquered Jiangnan, which led to his rapid increase in strength and his gradual conquest of the country.

Unfortunately, Lin Dao wasn't buying it at all.

Just as they were about to speak, shouts and sounds of fighting suddenly came from outside the courtyard.

Liu Bowen was still wondering who was drunk and causing trouble here.

Lin Dao had already gotten up and was walking outside.

He heard Shi Nai'an's angry roar among the shouts.

Upon arriving outside the courtyard, they saw Shi Nai'an fighting with several people.

Despite being over fifty, he was incredibly skilled in martial arts, his movements swift and powerful, and for a time he held his own.

Lin Dao's gaze fell upon Hu Ci, who was standing not far away, shouting angrily.

"Who do we have here? It's you again, kid, here to get yourself killed?"

(End of this chapter)