Zhutian: Starting from the Space-Time Merchant

Chapter 323 Shen Wansan

"Mother~"

During her time as a homeless person, Mu Ying, who had endured hunger and hardship, burst into tears.

He knelt on the ground, grabbing Ma Xiuying's trouser leg, pleading, "I know I was wrong, please don't punish me by making me eat!"

"A man's knees are worth gold, get up quickly."

Because she frequently visited the orphanage to take care of the orphans, many children regarded Ma Xiuying as their godmother.

She was also soft-hearted; although she was still twisting Mu Ying's ear, her words had softened.

"I won't punish you with food, but you have to write all the characters you learned today a hundred times!"

"One to a hundred times?!" Mu Ying exclaimed in disbelief. "That's way too many!"

"You little rascal!" Lan Shi, unable to bear it any longer, stepped forward and twisted Mu Ying's other ear. "Do you know how many people in this world want to learn but have no way to do so?"

"Do you know how much it costs a family to support a scholar?"

"Going bankrupt!"

“In my hometown, there are several families who have sold all their land to support their sons’ education!”

She was also disappointed in them, saying, "You are able to go to school for free now, which is an incredible opportunity."

"He doesn't study properly all day long, all he does is cause trouble."

He reached out and picked up a ballpoint pen and an exercise book from the side. "Do you know how much food these things can be exchanged for?"

"Food that can save lives!"

Ma Xiuying's pampering made these orphans somewhat forget the real world outside.

After all, the orphanage had no worries about food, drink, or supplies, and there was no need to worry about safety.

Even more so, kind-hearted people like Ma Xiuying took the initiative to take care of him and show concern for his well-being.

Lan's words, however, brought many orphans back to reality.

There's nothing else to say, just talk about food.

Almost all of these orphans have experienced hunger in the past.

Being able to catch a mouse to eat is the greatest delicacy.

When they were starving, they would eat tree bark, grass roots, grass seeds, and even soil.

Recalling the pain they once endured, many children became serious.

He returned to his stool, sat down, and began writing intently while leaning over the wooden table.

"My sister is truly capable."

Ma Xiuying jokingly praised the Lan family, saying, "These mischievous monkeys have finally calmed down."

"They're just living too well."

Lan Shi understood perfectly: "Suddenly, they are living a good life and cannot adapt to it for a while."

"Just as the King of Light said, we must set goals for them so that they can study diligently."

The two walked together to the kitchen to prepare dinner for the orphanage that evening.

"King Ming is truly too kind-hearted."

The main dish for dinner was stir-fried luncheon meat with shredded potatoes, and each child also received a boiled egg.

Lan Shi also repeatedly praised, "Our good days are all thanks to the wise king."

"Those two who are educated are truly fortunate to have the opportunity to serve the King of Light."

Lan was referring to Cao Miaoqing and Zhang Miaojing.

Upon hearing this, Ma Xiuying's smile noticeably faded.

Lan, who was wearing an apron and cooking, was saying, "I heard that many people are giving gifts to the Ming King."

"Rare treasures and beauties of all kinds are available."

"The Ming King accepted all those treasures, but he rejected all the beauties."

"I really can't figure it out, what's so great about those two wonderful ones?"

"Could it be that this place is truly magical~~"

Married women have always been outspoken in this regard, regardless of the era.

Actually, it wasn't that Lin Dao disliked beautiful women; he simply had limited energy.

The golden cudgel remains as powerful as ever, but time needs to be allocated wisely.

He already has very strict controls over new employee onboarding.

After all, every new person takes up more of his time.

Lin Dao wasn't like Li Longji, a pervert who kept tens of thousands of beauties in the palace, yet most of them never received his favor in their entire lives.

Li Longji is running a fishpond aquaculture business.

Add less salt.

Ma Xiuying changed the subject, saying, "I've eaten a lot of salted fish these past few days, it's really too salty."

As expected, Lan followed suit, saying, "That's true. The more fish we catch, the more salt we make."

"Those who make salted fish use salt like it's free sand."

He reached for a jar of fish sauce, opened it, poured some into the pot, and said, "This is a good thing."

As the families of soldiers who had accompanied the troops prepared the meal and set the table, Madam Lan asked with a smile, "Xiuying, you're not young anymore. With so many good men in the army, haven't you taken a fancy to anyone?"

By the standards of that era, Ma Xiuying, who was over twenty, was already considered an old maid.

There were bound to be some gossip, with some saying that she had too high standards.

Ma Xiuying lowered her head and didn't speak, which Lan Shi took as her being shy.

He continued talking to himself, "Once you get married and have children, our two families will become related by marriage."

"If we each have a son and a daughter, then we'll get married."

"Since we're both boys, let's become sworn brothers."

"We're both girls, so we're best friends!"

Ma Xiuying smiled but remained silent.

While the children were busy eating, she gazed absently into the direction of the government office.

Inside the government office, Lin Dao was receiving guests.

"I have long admired Shen Wansan."

"It is an honor that the wise ruler knows my humble name!"

"Sit down and talk."

Lin Dao invited Shen Wansan to sit down and have dinner together.

His meals were always simple, a few dishes and a soup were enough. It wasn't that he was being pretentious; it was just that he could eat well whenever he wanted.

After eating so much good food, my daily diet has become mainly based on home-cooked meals.

"King Ming lived a simple life and devoted himself to serving the people."

Shen Wansan repeatedly praised, "I have also attended banquets hosted by Yuan officials many times. Even if they were just high-ranking officials, their lavish meals surpassed those of the Ming emperors."

"This world should be ruled by a wise and benevolent ruler!"

Lin Dao, who was already used to such flattery, simply smiled in response.

After eating and drinking for a while, Shen Wansan finally couldn't help but bring up the purpose of his visit.

"Your Majesty, I have come here on behalf of someone."

Lin Dao picked up a piece of tofu without looking up and said, "Speak."

"Master Xue of Wu County admires the divine power of the Ming King."

"Hearing that the King of Light has no servants, I wish to offer my two daughters to serve him."

This is actually just a starting point to spark discussion.

Offering a gift first, whether accepted or rejected, makes it easier to discuss the truly important matters later.

Lin Dao, who was chewing on tofu, put down his chopsticks.

He looked up, stared at Shen Wansan, and asked, "I heard?"

"Who said that?"

Previously, Shen Wansan had greeted Lin Dao warmly with a beaming smile.

Some ulterior motives inevitably lingered in my mind.

But when he met Lin Dao's gaze again, he was suddenly jolted awake.

This man is a killing god who wiped out the Mongol and Semu people in the Jiangzhe Province!
Just because he smiled at me doesn't mean he's a good person.
"This~"

Shen Wansan, head bowed, sweat beading on his forehead, muttered, "Rumors from the streets, rumors from the streets~"

Lin Dao picked up his chopsticks again and started eating. "Let's get down to business."

"Yes Yes."

Relieved, Shen Wansan cautiously began, "The Red Turban Army is clearing the fields; any family with over a hundred acres of fertile land will have it confiscated."

"Let's not talk about this anymore."

Lin Dao simply replied, "There's nothing to discuss."

The importance of farmland is beyond doubt.

Lin Dao has seen far too many disastrous consequences of land annexation.

From landlord to big landlord, from big landlord to local tyrant, from local tyrant to powerful clan.

Everything stems from land annexation.

Lin Dao here also knows that the root cause of the fall of the two Song dynasties was that they did not prohibit land annexation.

The consequence was that internal conflicts in the Song Dynasty intensified, and uprisings occurred one after another in various places.

Despite numerous reforms by figures like Fan Zhongyan, the policy could not address land annexation, thus it could only be a temporary improvement, and its eventual demise was inevitable.

The same thing happened in the Ming Dynasty that followed.

The fall of the Ming Dynasty was not due to peasant armies, the Manchus, or natural disasters during the Little Ice Age.

Rather, it stemmed from the imperial court's lack of funds and provisions.

Without money and supplies, nothing can be done, no war can be fought, and all that remains is to wait for death.

The reason for the lack of money and grain was due to land annexation.

Land was concentrated in the hands of princes, imperial relatives, court officials, and local gentry.

Since they don't pay taxes, the imperial court naturally has no money or grain.

Because he understands these things, Lin Dao will forcibly curb land annexation no matter what time or space he is in.

Just like in this space and time, each household has at most a hundred acres of farmland.

For areas with less than 100 mu, the area will be directly increased to 100 mu.

Land exceeding 100 acres will be confiscated.

For the poor, this was certainly a good thing; many families even gained hundreds of acres of land for no reason.

But for the wealthy families with their vast estates, it was a catastrophe.

The land that comprised most of their wealth was confiscated, and no one was willing to accept that.

"I know what you're thinking, and I know what you're planning to do."

Lin Dao spoke slowly and deliberately, "I want to tell you that you are already lucky that we didn't treat you as slaves."

Upon hearing this, Shen Wansan felt as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over his head.

Every time Lin Dao conquered a place, he would carry out a large-scale cleanup of the local area.

This category includes government officials and clerks, local powerful families, wealthy merchants, urban scoundrels and thieves, and all kinds of bandits and outlaws in the countryside.

The vast majority of the wealthy merchants who were purged were accused of being captives.

If you do business in the Yuan Dynasty and don't cooperate with the Mongols, you'll be swallowed up long ago, leaving not a trace. Which merchant or tycoon wouldn't submit to the Mongols?
Do you know why I kept you here?

Lin Dao left a small number of wealthy merchants unattended, taking only their land and most of their wealth and property.

At the same time, it eliminated their potential mobilization capabilities, such as freeing slaves and declaring all interest-bearing IOUs invalid.

Shen Wansan and Xue Yuanwai were among the lucky ones.

He raised his hand to wipe the sweat from his forehead and stood up to bow.

"Please instruct me, Your Majesty."

"That's because you all engage in maritime trade."

Lin Daojia said, “I intend to expand my overseas business, and you who have engaged in maritime trade are the pioneers I have chosen.”

"This is the only reason I spared your lives."

"Because you are still useful."

"So don't test my patience, and don't even mention those unrealistic fantasies."

"I can use you temporarily, or I can choose not to!"

After hearing this, Shen Wansan lowered his head and dared not respond, sweating profusely.

They really misjudged the situation. Everyone thought they could negotiate with the Ming King, but it turned out to be nothing more than offering more money and goods.
They're just using us as tools!

Lin Dao turned his head and looked at Lan Yu beside him. "These bamboo shoots are overcooked. They're not as good as Ma Xiuying's."

(End of this chapter)