jdhmnovel Chapter 527 Has this old man learned face-changing?
Chapter 527 Has this old man learned face-changing?
What about Zhu Biao?
What is that little beast doing now?
Since our good son-in-law has already told him how to ensure that the people have enough to eat and wear, why didn't he tell us?
It's one thing if he doesn't tell us, but now that he's in charge of the country, why doesn't he just implement the method his brother-in-law suggested?
The more the Emperor Zhu thought about it, the angrier he became, and his face grew darker and darker. Finally, unable to bear it any longer, he spat out, "That little beast!"
After scolding Zhu Biao, Emperor Zhu looked at Yang Shaofeng with a beaming smile and said, "My dear son-in-law, that little beast didn't tell us. Tell us about him."
Yang Shaofeng was completely bewildered.
Has this old man studied face-changing?
Or maybe he just has a dog-like face?
Wow, that's a speed at which someone can change their expression; a normal person really couldn't do that!
While inwardly complaining, Yang Shaofeng carefully said, "Father-in-law, in my opinion, the key to making people rich is simply to increase revenue and reduce expenditure."
"The so-called open source means setting up various workshops. For example, the five small workshops that my son-in-law proposed earlier are to enable some people to have more income by setting up workshops."
"The so-called cost-saving measures mean trying to avoid those exorbitant taxes and levies, and reducing unnecessary expenditures for the people."
As Yang Shaofeng finished speaking, Emperor Zhu's face changed again.
We've all heard what that bastard said before!
Since we've already heard it before, why would you repeat it to us? Wouldn't that just be a waste of our time?
This won't do; we won't do a deal that loses us money!
Emperor Zhu looked at Yang Shaofeng with a dark expression, "Be more specific, tell me something we haven't heard of before."
Damn it!
Yang Shaofeng was furious, wishing he could just print out the five volumes of the Dragon-Slaying Manual and give a set to every citizen of the Ming Dynasty.
Everyone knows the art of slaying dragons, let's see if you, old Deng, will be able to sleep soundly after this!
This will save you the trouble of bothering me!
Unfortunately, Yang Shaofeng neither mastered the Five Dragons Slaying Technique nor dared to attempt it.
It's not that I'm afraid of Deng Xiaoping, but it's not easy for ordinary people to have a few days of peace. If things really get out of control, the people will be the ones who suffer in the end, and I can't bear that responsibility.
Yang Shaofeng was displeased and was about to make a few sarcastic remarks when the guards from the Prince Consort's residence in front of him suddenly stopped.
The commander of the Imperial Son-in-Law's personal guards rode over and bowed directly to Emperor Zhu and Yang Shaofeng, saying, "Your Excellency, Imperial Son-in-Law, there are people ahead crying out for justice."
Yang Shaofeng glanced at Emperor Zhu without realizing it.
Call for injustice?
Tsk tsk.
The old emperor was saying that he wanted to ensure that the people could have enough to eat and wear, but then someone blocked his way and cried out for justice. I wonder how the old emperor felt.
The Emperor's face darkened visibly, and he immediately ordered the guards of the Imperial Son-in-Law's residence, "Lead the way."
Yang Shaofeng followed Emperor Zhu leisurely. When they arrived at the location indicated by the guards of the Imperial Son-in-Law's residence, they saw an old woman in thin clothes kneeling on the ground, crying out for justice.
Emperor Zhu immediately dismounted and walked to the old woman's side, asking, "You're here crying out for justice; what grievance do you have?"
The old woman glanced at Emperor Zhu, then at Yang Shaofeng who was following behind him, but ignored Emperor Zhu completely. Instead, she bowed to Yang Shaofeng and said, "I beg you, Your Honor, to do me justice!"
Emperor Zhu was dumbfounded.
No.
Why would you beg a dog instead of our emperor?
Yang Shaofeng was also stunned.
No.
Why do you come to me, an official, instead of seeking favors from the emperor?
Yang Shaofeng smacked his lips, wanting to reach out and help the old woman up, but the old woman knelt back a little and shouted loudly, "I beg you, sir, to do justice for me and uphold justice for my son!"
Yang Shaofeng glanced at Emperor Zhu, and with no other choice, asked, "Where are you from? What is your name? Who are your family members? How do you recognize me?"
The old woman respectfully kowtowed to Yang Shaofeng and replied, "Replying to your question, sir, my name is Wang Xiuniang, and I am from Chenjiazhuang, south of Yexian City. My husband died early, and I am left with only my son, Chen Da."
“This humble woman does not know the magistrate. She has only heard people say that there is a Prince Consort Yang in Dengzhou Prefecture, who is a magistrate who can uphold justice for the people.”
"I've also heard that the Prince Consort often takes this road back to Ningyang, so whenever I have free time, I come here to wait for him."
At this point, the old woman glanced at Emperor Zhu again, "Since he is the son-in-law of the emperor, he must be young and fair-skinned."
Yang Shaofeng glanced at Emperor Zhu and almost burst out laughing.
After all, praising oneself while simultaneously criticizing Old Deng is quite pleasing.
But remembering the old woman's earlier statement about seeking justice for her son, Yang Shaofeng asked sternly, "What grievance do you have? Is it related to your son?"
The old woman kowtowed respectfully to Yang Shaofeng again and said, "Your Excellency, my son Chen Da went to work in Master Hu's workshop two months ago, but he hasn't returned home since last month. When I went to Master Hu's house to ask for an explanation, I was driven out."
"Later, the woman went to the county government office to beat the drum and appeal for justice, but the constables in the office said that it was not the time for filing a complaint and that the woman was not allowed to file a complaint."
Yang Shaofeng glanced at Emperor Zhu again.
Look, look, are you dumbfounded?
What the hell was this talk of settling disputes and releasing the plaintiffs on a date? Now look what's happened!
They were proven wrong by the people, weren't they?
Emperor Zhu felt extremely uncomfortable under Yang Shaofeng's gaze, and then flew into a rage.
What do you mean by "you dog"?
Are you mocking us?
Yang Shaofeng ignored Emperor Zhu and turned to the old woman, saying, "Madam Wang, the county government usually issues complaints on the 3rd, 6th, and 9th of the month. If it is not during these times, it is indeed not allowed to file a complaint."
"If you want to sue that Master Hu, you must submit your petition on the day the petition is filed. The clerk in the clerk's office will accept your petition. If the petition is approved, the magistrate will summon you and Master Hu to the county yamen for a hearing."
The old woman was silent for a while before she murmured, "I beat the drum on the third day of the month, but the county government said I was being unreasonable, tore up the petition I had written, and drove me out of the government office."
Yang Shaofeng hummed in agreement, then turned his gaze to Emperor Zhu.
Emperor Zhu roared, "That corrupt official dares to refuse to accept the people's complaints?!"
Yang Shaofeng chuckled and said sarcastically, "After all, the imperial court has regulations on the month and day for settling lawsuits. It's not entirely the fault of the officials for not listening to lawsuits. Moreover, after accepting a lawsuit, the officials do have the right to tear it up and drive the person out."
"Accept all petitions, regardless of whether they are reasonable or not. The provincial authorities shall order all petitioners to come to court the next day for hearing. That night, carefully review each petition. Those that are acceptable shall be marked with a red pen and the case shall be heard the next day at the marked location. Those that are unacceptable shall be torn up and the petitioner shall be expelled."
That's how things work in officialdom. You can only say that the officials are lazy, but you can't say that the officials are wrong.
Emperor Zhu's old face turned bright red with embarrassment, and he angrily said, "Let's go and see for ourselves!"