Da Ming: Father, step aside, I'll be the prime minister!

Chapter 189 The Grand Secretary Asks About Economics? Your Son is none other than Guan Zhong of the Ming Dynasty!

"what--"

Xu Guo's screams startled the birds outside the courtyard, causing them to scatter in all directions. He felt as if his soul was being forced out of his body.

But Su Xiaomei smiled and tossed the white cloth over her shoulder, a smile plastered on her face as she spoke.

"As expected, the Assistant Magistrate is a genius. He taught my younger sister a few ways to improve the situation, and they were very effective."

This "dislocation reduction method" conforms to the body's meridians and bones. Lord Xu, who spends many years writing documents at his desk, has shoulders and neck as hard as iron plates and lumbar vertebrae as bent as a bow.

If I can come for treatment once every two weeks in the future, it will not only relieve physical fatigue, but also improve bone alignment and muscle flexibility—a win-win situation!

As soon as she finished speaking, Su Xiaomei started groping Xu Guo's stiff back.

A high-ranking official of the third rank was now being kneaded, pulled, stretched, and pressed like dough on a cutting board, causing him to cry and sneer in pain.

"Click——"

Finally, with a final crisp sound, Xu Guo collapsed onto the bamboo bed, panting heavily. His near-death appearance gave the impression of someone who had survived a calamity.

By carefully observing the changes in one's body, one is surprised to find that the muscles and bones that have been tense for many years are slowly relaxing, giving one a feeling of being reborn.

He had lost his temper by now, and forced himself to get up, about to speak.

Su Xiaomei wiped the sweat from her head with a towel, then suddenly remembered something and slapped her round cheek.

"Look at my memory! I haven't cleaned the groin area of ​​the adults yet! It's essential to check for dysentery in adults."

As he spoke, he pulled out a brush with a head shaped like a hedgehog and was about to use it on Xu Guo.

"Wait!" Xu Guo jumped up from the couch instantly, his face turning green. "I have already troubled you greatly today. Your medical skills are superb, young lady. Please forgive me, I have urgent business to attend to."

Upon hearing this, Su Xiaomei beamed with joy and immediately pressed Xu Guo back onto the bamboo mat.

"This is the first time someone has praised my medical skills. Today, I will make sure that Mr. Xu gets more than his money's worth!"

"My lord, please bear with it."

Half an hour later.

Xu Guo walked unsteadily out of the courtyard. His clothes were loose and baggy. He looked back at the sign on the courtyard, which read "Renmin Medical Clinic Rehabilitation and Physiotherapy Department".

This weathered and experienced Lord Xu bit his lower lip tightly, barely managing to suppress the urge to cry.

He swallowed hard, feeling every part of his body.

Fortunately, everything that should be there is still there.

Even after Xu Guo left the rehabilitation and physiotherapy department, he felt refreshed and light-hearted, as if he had been banished to the mortal realm.

If it weren't for the humiliating, torture-like process, Xu Guozhen would have planned to come here often.

"Zhang Shiyuan is obsessed with making money!"

As he was leaving, Su Xiaomei handed him a bill, but Xu Guo didn't have time to look at it before he hurriedly left.

Upon closer inspection, it turned out that the fee was five hundred taels of silver!

They're utterly unscrupulous merchants who force you to buy or sell!
Xu Guo looked like he was about to cry but had no tears left. He sighed heavily and then wandered aimlessly outside, searching for the location of the clinic.

He hadn't taken two steps when two officers in brocade uniforms stopped him and lifted Xu Guo up from either side.

These are the two who brought him here earlier.

A captain said with a smile, "So it's Minister Xu! I had no idea who it was. We're all family. See, I wasn't lying to you, was I? This physiotherapy and rehabilitation is good for your health."

Clearly, after all this back and forth, Xu Guo's identity could no longer be concealed.

"This old man~ This old man~"

Xu Guo then remembered that he seemed to have some shares in Renmin Medical Clinic, and that he could still recoup some of the money he had spent in the rehabilitation and physiotherapy department.

Is this good news?
"Stop stammering. Didn't you want to see Magistrate Zhang, Vice Minister Xu? Magistrate Zhang is already waiting for you in the consultation room. We'll take you there right now."

Without saying a word, the captain grabbed Xu Guo and ran away at breakneck speed.

Xu Guo felt like his bones were about to be shaken apart, but thankfully they finally arrived at a consultation room.

The consultation room wasn't very big, with a long desk, bookshelves behind it, and a spotless white bed.

Inside the consultation room sat two people in white coats, both wearing masks, one elderly and one young.

The old man frowned deeply as he watched Xu Guo being roughly placed on the chair in front of him.

The one who was shortest was naturally Zhang Yunxiu. He chuckled, took out a pre-prepared contract, and pushed it off the table to Xu Guo.

"How are you feeling, Minister Xu? Our clinic's physiotherapy is quite good, isn't it? Since you're here, why don't you sign this contract?"

Xu Guo looked shaken, but upon seeing Zhang Yunxiu and the contract, he immediately showed a joyful expression.

This journey has not been easy!
Indeed, just when you think you've reached a dead end, a new path opens up before you!
After overcoming numerous hardships and obstacles, it seems we are finally about to achieve our goal!
His hands trembled slightly, but he didn't rush to read the contents of the contract. He looked at Zhang Yunxiu, all his resentment completely dissipated, and said with a smile.

"Isn't Magistrate Zhang angry with the students for their foolish actions?"

“Annoyed?” Zhang Yunxiu asked, puzzled. “Why should I be angry? It’s your business if you give up your shares. What does it have to do with me, Zhang Yunxiu? Sign the memo if you need to, and hurry up and check it. I’m very busy.”

"Yes, yes, yes."

Xu Guo was a third-rank official and a civil official, so he should have been above Zhang Yunxiu. However, after a "massage," he was completely rendered powerless.

He then turned his gaze to the old man beside him, cupped his hands in greeting, and said...

"This must be the Medicine Sage, Mr. Li Dongbi? Xu Guo greets you."

Li Shizhen frowned as he looked at the official, then sighed and said...

"I cannot accept such a gift from Vice Minister Xu. I, Li Shizhen, have nothing else to say but hope that Vice Minister Xu will speak less of personal gain and think more about the common people of the world."

After entering Renmin Medical Hall, the hall, being a semi-official institution, also gave Li Shizhen an official title.

The sixth-rank Imperial Medical Academy Director may not be a high-ranking official, but he has a lot more convenience in handling affairs.

Xu Guo had the utmost respect for this Medicine Saint, and he sighed as he spoke.

"Xu Guo is ashamed."

Zhang Yunxiu said impatiently, "Hurry up and look at the contract. If there are no problems, sign it."

"Yes."

Xu Guo was as docile as a chick, and slowly unfolded the document to examine it.

But the more he looked, the less the smile appeared on his face, and he couldn't help but look at Zhang Yunxiu in surprise.

"How could this contract have been signed in such a way!"

Xu Guo said, his voice trembling slightly.

"Why should we pay double the price to repurchase the shares of Xishan Workshop? We even have to sell the shares of Huizhou Merchants Guild Hall instead. What kind of logic is this?"

"You don't have to sign."

Zhang Yunxiu was straightforward. He squinted at the other person, not even bothering to explain much.

"I"

Xu Guo was speechless for a moment. How could the other party be so confident?
He glanced at the contents of the contract, then at Li Shizhen, and recalled his conversation with Zhang Juzheng that day.

Sold at half price and now buying back at double the price, Xu Guo and the Hui merchants have lost everything this time.

Even so, it's still much better than the fate of the Shanxi merchants. Seeing the Renmin Medical Clinic and Xishan Workshop thriving, if you really think about it, double the price isn't really the case.
Xu Guo still hesitated for a moment, and tentatively said.

"Could you grant me an extension?"

"No," Zhang Yunxiu said decisively. "Does Vice Minister Xu think I, Zhang Yunxiu, am easy to bully if he tries to bargain again?"

Who's bullying whom!

Xu Guo roared inwardly, but dared not show the slightest disobedience on his face.

Thinking back to the previous time when I didn't trust the other party, I suffered such a loss.

He gritted his teeth and stomped his foot.

"Student! Sign it!"

The moment I thought of signing, I suddenly felt a vastness of freedom.

Even with such "humiliating" terms, Xu Guo felt a sense of relief after signing and receiving a copy of the contract.

"Minister Xu is indeed a man who understands the bigger picture."

Zhang Yunxiu chuckled and contentedly tucked the contract into his pocket.

"Ai--"

Watching this farce unfold, Li Shizhen couldn't help but feel somewhat helpless, but he was unwilling to get involved in too many trivial matters.

Now, only patients and medical research can get him to devote all his energy to them. Even many of Li Shizhen's apprentices have joined the Renmin Medical Hall.

This demonstrates their determination.

"Once the contract is signed, we will be a family."

Zhang Yunxiu's attitude made a complete 180-degree turn. He stepped forward, patted Xu Guo on the shoulder, and said...

"Come, come, since Vice Minister Xu is here, I'll let him give you a thorough check-up."

This expert consultation was actually to obtain more cases of dysentery. Only with rich clinical experience can we ensure that Dad's surgery will be successful.
I, Zhang Yunxiu, am truly a filial son!

Clinical trials are necessary. How can the dysentery of ordinary people compare to that of someone like Xu Guo, who has been immersed in officialdom for many years and spends his time writing at his desk?

Of course, we can't let this opportunity pass us by.

Xu Guo was taken aback: "What examination? Is further examination necessary?"

“Since you’re already here,” Zhang Yunxiu said with a kind smile. “It’s nothing serious. I’ll just examine Minister Xu’s anus to see the extent of his dysentery and then decide whether surgery is necessary.”

Lord Xu looks to be in good health, so it's probably not a big deal if he has hemorrhoids.

"I cannot inspect; I have urgent business at home."

Upon hearing the word "anal passage," Xu Guo was horrified. The massage he had just received had already left a negative impression, and now this examination was on his mind. He absolutely refused to agree.

"Xu Weizhen!" Zhang Yunxiu said sternly. "If you don't examine me today, you're disrespecting me, Zhang Yunxiu, and the medical clinic. In the end, you're slapping His Majesty in the face!"

You can do it yourself! "

"Student. Student," Xu Guo was about to cry.

Zhang Yunxiu patted him on the shoulder and said, "Minister Xu, don't worry, it's just a check-up. We'll use some instruments, it'll hurt a little, but it'll be over soon."

It will be very beneficial to your health!

After saying that, Zhang Yunxiu clapped his hands and spoke into the room.

"Luo Junde! Another job is coming! Prepare for an anal examination!"

"Okay!"

No sooner had he finished speaking than a young doctor stepped forward, holding a gleaming metal expander in his hand.

As the most outstanding surgeon at Renmin Medical Clinic, Luo Xian was naturally no less skilled at this kind of examination.

"I"

Xu Guo was startled when he saw the device and almost fainted.

Half an hour later, Vice Minister Xu, clutching his rear end and with a deathly pale face, limped out of the Renmin Medical Clinic.

He picked up the "medical report" with tears welling up in his eyes.

"Severe dysentery, damaging the internal structure, will be surgically removed in seven days."

The steward of the Xu family mansion had been waiting at the gate for a long time. As soon as Xu Guo came out, he immediately stepped forward to help him into the sedan chair and asked him questions.

"How is the master today?"

Xu Guo glanced at the other person, exhaled a heavy breath, and tore the medical report to shreds.

He said in a hoarse voice.

"Get out of the sedan chair immediately and leave this place of trouble. Be quick!"

"I will never come to Renmin Medical Clinic again! I'd rather die than come here again!"

The main hall of the Ministry of Revenue.

Zhang Xueyan frowned deeply. Upon hearing the question from Grand Secretary Zhang Juzheng, he pondered for a moment before speaking.

"I have also considered the question raised by the Prime Minister, but compared with your son's insights, I am ultimately inferior."

The principles of commercial economics are profound and extensive, and there are very few books available for reference, both ancient and modern.

In the past, during the Western Han Dynasty, Sang Hongyang served as the Grand Minister of Agriculture, assisting Emperor Wu of Han, Liu Che, in implementing the policy of state monopoly on salt and iron, and also in implementing the policy of stabilizing prices.

I have consulted the relevant text, "Discourses on Salt and Iron," but only found some clues.

The book says, "Therefore, those who are good at governing a country regard the world as their own and the world as their own." This seems to have some similarities with your son's supply and demand relationship.

This book represents the pinnacle of the art of commercial economics, yet despite my extensive study and practice, I still cannot grasp the essential principles of your management of Xishan. This is truly shameful and a failure to live up to the expectations of the Grand Secretary.

Clearly, Zhang Xueyan was politely declining to answer.

Zhang Juzheng frowned, put down his teacup, and sighed.

"It's not your fault. Shiyuan has been intelligent since childhood. I'm not bragging, but with his talent, he's more than capable of becoming the top scholar. But this boy always likes to do things that are unconventional and unorthodox."

Whether intentional or unintentional, these words seemed to have stirred something in Zhang Xueyan's mind, and he spoke very solemnly.

"Your Excellency must not be so arbitrary. The economics of money is by no means a heretical doctrine!"

On the contrary, in my humble opinion, we should provide stronger support.

With your son's extraordinary talent, if he can make the most of it, he will surely become the Guan Zhong or Sang Hongyang of our Great Ming Dynasty!

Zhang Juzheng seized the opportunity and squinted his eyes as he spoke.

"It seems that Ziyu has some understanding of the way of the commodity economy. What is the true nature of the study of the commodity economy? And can it help our Great Ming Dynasty to achieve a revival?"

Can our Wanli reforms utilize this economics?

Zhang Juzheng slammed his hand on the table, his eyebrows shot up, and said with some anger.

"Ziyu is the Minister of Revenue, why would you conceal this!"

(End of this chapter)