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

Chapter 326 You prefer painting to beautiful women? You'd better treat him like your father!

"Has Shiyuan gone mad?!"

Inside the Qianqing Palace, Emperor Wanli almost jumped out of his chair upon learning of the Xishan Grand Sale.

"That's silver! Pure silver! And it's all just given away like that! It's not like I haven't shown kindness to the people! I haven't been stingy with relief and rewards this year. What exactly is Zhang Shiyuan trying to do?"

Emperor Wanli was somewhat disheartened. He had worked hard and diligently to save up silver, but Zhang Yunxiu had done just that, offering nearly a million taels of silver worth of goods on sale, some even at half price.

Zhang Cheng stood to the side, head bowed and eyes lowered. Upon hearing the emperor's words, he immediately hatched a plan and hurriedly stepped forward to report with deep sorrow.

"Your Majesty, please don't blame this servant for speaking out of turn. Zhang Zhangwei's loyalty is as clear as day, but this matter concerning Xishan is truly an overreach."

Xishan is a vital national asset; most of His Majesty's personal wealth is contained within it. How dare Zhang Shiyuan presume to organize some kind of promotional event?

A slight smile appeared on Zhang Cheng's round, greasy face.

"It's not that I think there's anything wrong with Zhang Zhang's duties, but I feel that this matter is not appropriate. Xishan can provide relief to the people, but in whose name should it be done?"

Zhang Cheng made some indirect attempts to probe, but the Wanli Emperor barely responded. He raised his eyebrows and muttered to himself.

"On your own initiative?"

The emperor shook his head repeatedly, then spoke as if remembering something.

"Shiyuan did send a secret report, but I didn't notice it."

In fact, Zhang Yunxiu did report to the Wanli Emperor; on the contrary, he reported almost everything in the past.

At first, Emperor Wanli seemed to be in high spirits and took all the matters from Xishan to heart.

But after a while, he started to feel tired.

Xishan may not look big, but you can see a lot about it from the accounts of the various workshops, the daily resettlement of the villagers in Xishan Village, and all the plans for the development of Xishan.

Zhang Yunxiu even produced a detailed "Five-Year Development Plan for Xishan," which surpassed even the government's policies in its scope.

Later, Emperor Wanli simply delegated power one by one, entrusting the affairs of the court to Zhang Juzheng and the affairs of Xishan to Zhang Yunxiu. After all, nothing was more important than erotic paintings and the emperor's various leisure activities.

As for the emperor's fear of power, Emperor Wanli only occasionally felt the urge to act on it, otherwise he simply let it go.

If he weren't this kind of person, history wouldn't have seen him stagnate for decades, to the point that no one in the court would have been appointed.

"This..." Zhang Cheng was somewhat helpless. Zhang Yunxiu was now completely trusted by the emperor.

As the power of the Eastern and Western Depots waned, he, as a personal eunuch, wondered when he could restore the glory of the eunuchs.

He felt a sense of sorrow and anger at Feng Bao's incompetence in handing over the power of the eunuchs, but there was nothing he could do about it.

Zhang Cheng secretly glanced at Consort Zheng, who was currently organizing erotic pictures for Emperor Wanli. The pictures were even being compiled into a book. She slowly raised her head, and a seductive look suddenly appeared on her previously tired face.

"Your Majesty~~~"

Consort Zheng swayed her waist and rushed towards Emperor Wanli, tightly hugging his arm as she spoke.

"I've been feeling quite bored staying in the palace these past few days. Now that Xishan is holding this promotional event, it must be quite lively."

Your Majesty, if you are unsure how this promotional offer is going, perhaps you could travel incognito to investigate and find out for yourself.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Cheng's eyes lit up. It was indeed Consort Zheng who understood the Emperor's thoughts.

Given Emperor Wanli's temperament and following past practice, even if he was very angry, he would generally not stop Zhang Yunxiu from holding events.

After all, Zhang Yunxiu's achievements speak for themselves. Every single one of his previously unrecognized feats has been a resounding success.
Based on the monthly income of Xishan, Emperor Wanli could not possibly suspect or stop them.

Therefore, it would be better to take a different approach and guide the emperor to go there in person. When he sees all the hard-earned silver going down the drain, he will surely develop a grudge against Zhang Yunxiu.

In the matter of opposing Zhang Yunxiu, Zhang Cheng and Consort Zheng shared the same interests.

As expected, Emperor Wanli's eyes lit up immediately upon hearing this.

"My dear consort, your words are excellent! I've been feeling quite stifled in the palace these past few days. Why don't I go out and see what's going on?"

Consort Zheng covered her mouth and smiled, speaking in a pretentious manner.

"Why is it because of frustration? Your Majesty is showing concern for the people's feelings. This promotion is certainly a good thing, but there was a disturbance in the capital a few days ago, and the people's hearts have not yet settled down. If such a large-scale event is held up and something goes wrong, it will be difficult to control."

His Majesty's visit is also to reassure the people, and if any trouble arises, he can intervene swiftly and decisively to resolve the matter.

"My beloved consort's words are very much to my liking!"

These sweet words struck a chord with Emperor Wanli.

Consort Zheng's methods were not sophisticated, but Emperor Wanli, who had lacked approval since childhood, was easily swayed by them.

Emperor Wanli put his arm around Consort Zheng's shoulder and said with a smile, "My dear consort may be a little unreliable at times, but she is very intelligent and we are truly compatible."

Consort Zheng smiled charmingly: "Your Majesty flatters me. It is my duty to share your burdens. As long as Your Majesty is happy, I am content."

She twisted her body like a water snake, slowly squeezing into the Wanli Emperor's arms.

Unexpectedly, Emperor Wanli changed the subject and burst into hearty laughter.

"My beloved consort and I are truly kindred spirits~ If my beloved consort were a man, the two of us, along with Shiyuan, could become sworn brothers, emulating the Oath of the Peach Garden, and creating a beautiful tale!"

He was shaking his head and swaying back and forth. He had recently become obsessed with watching the play "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" at the Xishan Theater. A few days ago, he even drew erotic pictures based on "Romance of the Three Kingdoms".

Emperor Wanli was smiling happily, but Consort Zheng's smile vanished in an instant.

"Hahaha~" Afraid of being discovered by the emperor, she immediately forced a dry laugh, clasped her hands in a fist and bowed, and said, "In that case, I must bow and call you brother."

As they spoke, Consort Zheng performed a gesture of respect that had a distinctly江湖 (jianghu, a term referring to the world of martial arts and chivalry) feel, almost like a sworn brotherhood.

"Hahahaha!"

The Wanli Emperor let out a hearty laugh, patted Consort Zheng on the back, and said in a rough voice.

"My dear brother, you are quite handsome! The three of us can be compared to Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei. I am Liu Bei, Shiyuan is Guan Yu, and you are Zhang Fei!"

Consort Zheng suddenly felt dizzy. She was just a woman, yet she was being compared to Zhang Fei. It was truly ridiculous.

"Your Majesty is truly a genius!"

Despite saying this, Consort Zheng felt endless bitterness in her heart.

This Wanli Emperor loved opera, vernacular novels, ink paintings, and erotic paintings, but he just couldn't appreciate himself!
If you say the emperor isn't interested in women, then Consort Zheng will feel a little better.

But every time she woke up in the middle of the night, Consort Zheng would often see Emperor Wanli secretly going to his study, picking up those erotic pictures and Jin Ping Mei, and using the pearl cream from his palace for a while.
Consort Zheng couldn't help but feel a sense of sorrow.

Could it be that I, Zheng Mengjing, am not as beautiful as the person in the painting?

In just two days, news of the Xishan promotional event spread throughout the entire capital city.

"Hurry up and grab some spots! There aren't many stalls outside the Xishan Theater, first come, first served!"

"Isn't the promotional event supposed to start on the 29th of the twelfth lunar month? Why are you all in such a hurry?" "Hey~ you don't know, the promotional event is said to start on New Year's Eve, but in reality, it has already started to warm up in the past two days. Many vendors have gone to set up stalls and have made a fortune these past few days!"

"Is this really true? Manager Wang, please wait a moment!"

"Screw you, I'm going first!"

On Qipan Street, many vendors closed their shops and drove horse-drawn carriages or oxcarts carrying goods, heading out of the city.

As the year draws to a close, Zhang Rong finally has the opportunity to relax and enjoy family time.

He was with his young son Zhang Yuanhao, planning to do some serious shopping on Qipan Street, when he saw this scene and couldn't help but chuckle.

"What is Zhang Shiyuan up to now?"

Zhang Rong knew perfectly well that no one in the capital, except Zhang Shiyuan, could pull off such a grand spectacle.

Zhang Yuanhao has grown much taller and his face is much fairer. During his time performing crosstalk at the Xishan Theater, he exuded an increasingly scholarly air about him.

Swallowing the sesame seed cake in his mouth, Zhang Yuanhao grinned and said, "Father, you didn't know? Master is planning to hold a year-end sales event in Xishan, offering discounts on all the goods from Xishan so that the people of the capital can have a good New Year!"

Zhang Rong was quite uncomfortable with Zhang Yuanhao's strange tone, but he was ultimately helpless with his son. He sighed and continued to ask.

"I am aware of this matter, but why are these merchants getting involved in selling goods in Xishan?"

“Father, you are unaware of this. Let me explain it to you.”

Zhang Yuanhao speaks with a distinctly comedic flair.

"My master is a very thoughtful person. He is holding a regular promotional event, which is just for goods from Xishan. Xishan goods are already cheap. This event will probably drive out many merchants in the capital."

Zhang Rong raised an eyebrow: "Is this the solution your mentor came up with?"

He always felt that Zhang Yuanhao's constant use of "Master" seemed very strange.

There's a deeper meaning behind this.

Zhang Yuanhao said, shaking his head.

Zhang Rong finally lost her temper and slapped her youngest son on the head.

"Speak like a normal person."

"Father, you are mistaken. What are you saying? I am speaking human language."

"Say it again!" Zhang Rong said, his beard bristling and eyes wide.

Zhang Yuanhao then calmed down and shrank his neck as he spoke.

"Master thought that the hoarding and speculation in the northern and southern provinces had resulted in a much larger stock of goods in the capital than in previous years. If this continued, he didn't know when the prices would be stabilized."

Instead of holding a promotional event, Xishan could take the lead in offering discounts to the public and provide some stalls for vendors. With the reputation that Xishan has built up, countless merchants would naturally flock to it.

This method benefits the common people, allows merchants to recoup their losses, and promotes market circulation—truly killing two birds with one stone.

“Market economy?” Zhang Rong squinted, feeling a little dizzy. He sighed and said, “Zhang Shiyuan is becoming more and more incomprehensible.”

As things have progressed to this point, the old man Zhang Rong no longer knows how to face the changes that have taken place in the Ming Dynasty.

Everything that changed was new and exciting, and some of it was even disorienting.

However, one good thing is that the British Duke's Mansion did not fall behind in this change.

Zhang Rong squinted and said, "From today onwards, you must not slack off in your studies of crosstalk. If I find out that you are cheating or slacking off, or going to the brothel to philander, I will break your legs!"

"what?"

Zhang Yuanhao thought he would be scolded by his father again, but to his surprise, his father changed the subject and began to support his learning of crosstalk.

He couldn't help but ask.

"Father, are you ill? You used to be a comedian, a lowly profession. What I've done is a disgrace to the family. Zhang Shiyuan is always good at bewitching people."

"Huh?" Zhang Rong glared at Zhang Yuanhao and slapped him again. "You treacherous bastard, how dare you call me Zhang Shiyuan?"

After being slapped several times in a row, Zhang Yuanhao almost cried. What was his father up to now?
"father?"

Zhang Rong took a deep breath and said, "From today onwards, you must treat Zhang Shiyuan as your father. If you ever again disrespect your elders, he may tolerate you, but I will not!"

"Ah! Huh?"

Zhang Yuanhao's jaw almost dropped.

Outside the Xishan Theater, a vacant lot had been cleared out sometime earlier.

There was already a plaza paved with cement outside the theater. Once the snow was cleared, a flat and wide piece of land could be obtained.

Zhang Yunxiu had countless sheds erected here, and in the very center of the square, a huge bonfire was lit using briquettes and kerosene.

The sheds sheltered the shops from the wind and rain, and the bonfires warmed the square, allowing merchants and customers to warm themselves.

Xishan naturally occupies the most central position.

Liuli Gongfang has launched a variety of glass statues specially designed for festivals, ranging from the God of Wealth to Guanyin who grants children.

The briquettes workshop has launched a new bundled package: purchase a heater and receive 20 kilograms of briquettes as a gift. This allows more people to purchase heating facilities on top of the already reduced prices.

If we're talking about the real big players, it has to be the textile workshops. Compared to outsiders, the Xishan textile workshops not only produce cloth and silk, but also directly provide finished clothing.

Since it's the New Year, whether you're a high-ranking official or an ordinary person, getting a new set of clothes is a necessity.

The textile workshop offers everything from headscarves and long-sleeved sweaters to finer items like mink coats.

"Mom, I want that hat. It has Sun Wukong on it, so if I wear it, I can become the Great Sage Equal to Heaven!"

A boy dressed in patched clothes pointed at a monkey head hat on the stall, his eyes shining.

The woman with the boy couldn't help but look bitter. She mustered her courage and asked the old shopkeeper inside.

"Sir, how much is this hat?"

The old shopkeeper, dressed like a scholar, had narrowed his triangular eyes but appeared very kind, and said with a smile.

"Madam, our shop offers some of the best deals at this promotion. How about I charge you only five coins for this fine monkey-head felt hat?"

"puff!"

Yuan Wenwei spat out a mouthful of hot tea and glared at her as he spoke.

"You old geezer! Have you gone mad?"

(End of this chapter)