Chapter 173: Two Monks’ Visit

Zhao Xing rushed to the hall to instruct his students. Wang Gongcai frowned. When he heard Zhao Xing's words, he thought of his previous question and nodded immediately: "Yes, if you get pregnant, it is not appropriate to let them go out. You will be raising them for half a year and you will know everything. It takes less than a year to leave the person and you will be pregnant in three or four months."

Zhao Xing hurriedly ordered the students to be absent-minded about Wang Gong's explanation. When Wang Gong saw this, he followed Zhao Xing's arrangement. He retreated to the back hall and told Mrs. Lu and Rouyun what he had just said in an envious tone: "Brother Zizhan's literary talent is just fine. The disciple he accepted is really jealous. Even the teacher's work has been cleaned up. When he thinks about it, why don't it make people feel depressed and angry?!"

Zhao Xing was only concerned about urging students and assigning personnel. He was worried that the women would be resold to other places again, which would be even more troublesome. After walking out of Wang Gong's gate, he remembered that he forgot to ask when these things happened. He wanted to go back, but it was too late. The students who were urging him had already rode on their fast horses and set off.

When he returned to the yard, Zhao Xing found that there was an acquaintance in the yard. He bowed in surprise and asked, "My father-in-law, why are you here?"

Cheng Laoqi stepped forward timidly and bowed, saying, "Brother-in-law, I heard that Sister Zhu is happy. I specially brought a few old mothers in Suzhou to take care of me. I wonder if my brother-in-law has a place to live here?"

Zhao Xinggong bowed: "You are polite, my father-in-law, no matter how hard I can't stay here, can you still not stay with you? Have you seen Ah Zhu?"

"I've seen it, I've seen it," Cheng Laoqi kept bowing, which made Zhao Xing very embarrassed.

The word "sister" was also considered a dialect of Shu people in the Han Dynasty. Xu Shen said in "Shuwen Jiezi": "The Shu people called their mother "sister". The dialect is called She in Huainan, because it is recorded in similar ways, and the sound of She and Jie are similar." The annotation of "Guangyun" written in the Song Dynasty is: "sister, the Qiang people call their mother."

In ancient China, it was an official society. If a daughter had a court imperial edict and was still a commoner, she needed to use a respectful title to her daughter, which was "sister". For example, Azhu wanted to call her "Zhujie", and Zhao Xing was called "brother-in-law". In ancient China before the Qing Dynasty, common people's father-in-law all called officials' son-in-law in this way. After the Qing Dynasty, the name "sister" was gradually no longer used, and "sister" was gradually replaced and weakened into the name among sisters. The reason why the Ming people often said "Manchus like to regard her mother as a beauty" was also this. Because before the Manchus, the word "sister" was a respectful title, which was called mother.

Zhao Xing was stunned for a while before he got used to the weirdness of being called "brother-in-law" by his father-in-law. Cheng Laoqi was cowardly by nature and wanted to rely on his daughter to support him. Now with Zhao Xing, his status in the clan has risen sharply. Since Zhao Xing left, he has been guarding the Hangzhou Manor as an old mansion. After a long time, he missed his daughter. After hearing the good news about his daughter, he quickly hired a few old mothers from Suzhou and rushed to him.

Several people came with him. The monk Foyin was the most conspicuous among the crowd. He was wearing a moon-white monk's robe and bowed to Zhao Xing gracefully. Although he was wearing thin clothes in this cold weather, his fairy demeanor was about to emerge and no one else could learn it. He smiled and said, "Donor, I bowed my head."

Zhao Xing thought about it and looked at the legendary monk. He teased and said, "Okay, master, don't act like a fairy brother in front of me... I heard that you like to ride donkeys and walk all over the streets - no, you are riding donkeys and preaching Buddhism. I have prepared a few horses for you. The Mizhou delegation trains 3,000 war horses for you to choose. How about it?"

The monk Foyin did not appreciate it. He sang the Buddha's name and replied: "Donor, how can a practitioner be so luxurious? I have received the donor's affection, so I should give the war horse to the soldiers. I have a donkey in my life."

Monk Foyin got the rubbing of the Dunhuang mural for Zhao Xing, which contained the specific shape of the Demon-Subduing Transformation. He also found the three Huang brothers from the Western Regions to cast large guns. Although the greedy monk collected enough money, Zhao Xing still thanked the other party for his intentions. He led his right hand into the room and said politely: "Master, why did you come with my father-in-law?"

Cheng Laoqi couldn't explain clearly. However, the monk Foyin spoke quickly. He also put down the elegance he had when he first met Duan and replied easily: "The little monk has been ordered to be transferred from Doufang Temple to Jinshan Temple in Hangzhou. The ceremony just now represents the temple. The following is the true nature of the little monk - Brother Zhao, I am here to ask you."

After the monk Foyin said this, Zhao Xing understood that the man was transferred from Yingzhou to Hangzhou. There were not many acquaintances in Hangzhou, so he found Cheng Laoqi on the head. Cheng Laoqi was lonely in the mountains and became friends with the monk...

There were several people standing quietly behind the monk Foyin, without opening their mouths. One of the leaders of this group was a typical Hu man. He had twisted hair, brown eyes, tall figure, and over forty years old. There were three Chinese servants standing beside him. After Zhao Xingrang entered the monk Foyin, he turned his head and looked at the Hu man carefully.

In fact, the Arabic bloodline of this Hu man was already very weak. In most of his physical characteristics, he was similar to that of the Song man. But Zhao Xing noticed an accessory hanging on his chest, which was the cross of the lotus flame, a unique religion in China, and a symbol of Nestorian monks.

"The master comes from Quanzhou?" Zhao Xing asked tentatively.

The master clasped his hands together and made a Hindu worship position. Facing Zhao Xing's gaze, he asked gently: "That's right, in Xia Ansda, what can I do to help you?"

Zhao Xing slapped his thigh: "I love hearing these words. Monk Foyin came here to find me and asked me for help as soon as he opened his mouth. This is the first time I heard someone take the initiative to help me. What can you do to help me?"

"I can soothe your lonely soul!"

Zhao Xing rolled his eyes and pointed his hand: "Master, stay here, wait until I have been busy for a while, and then talk to the master in detail!"

The master did not move, and a servant behind the master replied calmly: "Sir, we are from Tsutong (Quanzhou). The city Tsutong was built by us. We have heard of the name of the Lord. I have traveled to Quanzhou many times, and have dated with Pu Yi'an of Arabia, and have also dated with Yici Leye people. Now I have seen monks in your mansion again. May I ask, what do you believe in?"

Zhao Xing laughed: "You asked a profound question, which is worth thinking about for a lifetime, but we can't stand in the snow and talk."

The boy nodded and asked An Sida to walk in, while saying to Zhao Xing: "I heard that you once hired Pu Yi'an's craftsmen to build a house for you, why didn't you come to us? We built the brilliant Thousand Tong City and was once the national religion of the Tang Dynasty. Many buildings in Chang'an City in the past have left our hands. We have always been looking forward to your help, why didn't you come to us?"

This man was actually asking Zhao Xing about his faith. Because Zhao Xing's interactions were too complicated, he even built an Israeli prayer hall in his manor. Of course, in order to build this prayer hall, the Israelis specially plundered a group of Jewish craftsmen from Africa and Europe for Zhao Xing. In addition to the one who gave him a good fortune, he also had contacts with many religions, but he went to Quanzhou many times, but he had never contacted Nestorians.

"Master, you need to observe this question yourself," Zhao Xing avoided: "My relatives have just come from Hangzhou. Can I talk to them first?"

Ansda immediately replied: "We are taking the liberty. Sir, please arrange a cottage for us to rest."

Zhao Xing quickly called the students to thank the group for their food and accommodation, and ran backwards while he wiped his sweat.

In the inner hall, Cheng Laoqi was chatting with his daughter. There was an invisible gap between the father and daughter. Although Cheng Azhu tried to show her intimate spot, the official seal on her body made Cheng Laoqi feel a little shiver when facing this only daughter. When he saw his son-in-law coming, he didn't know where to place his hands and feet.

Zhao Xing was also a little embarrassed. He was really not used to his father-in-law calling him "brother-in-law". After chatting for a few words, he quickly found a free time and walked into Chen Yiyi's house.

Chen Yiyi was questioning the crew member of Cheng Laoqi's accompanying him. When she saw Zhao Xing, she immediately said: "Brother Xing, Quanzhou Maritime and Vessels have reopened. Our goods can be taken from Quanzhou in the future."

Quanzhou Maritime Warehouse Department was closed four years ago. At that time, the host of the new law showed full character of farmers. They believed that opening multiple Maritime Warehouse Departments across the country was too inconvenient to government management, so they decided to cut all Maritime Warehouse Departments across the country, leaving only one in Guangzhou. But they did not expect that the sea trade was to collect money from foreigners. At that time, only 30% of the taxes in the Song Dynasty came from agricultural tax, while 70% came from commercial taxes...

After the New Party abolished the Maritime Bureau of all parts of the country, it was convenient for them to collect money, but it was inconvenient for 70% of the tax payment. After the money in the hands of the people was exhausted by them, the Song Dynasty's finance did not inject new water for foreign trade and collapsed. Emperor Shenzong was extremely depressed when he saw this phenomenon. He originally wanted to increase the income of the court, but now the people were displaced and the bones in the wilderness were rippling. He originally wanted to increase the finance of the court, but now the people can no longer get out of the money. The Song Dynasty's finance shrank significantly. In this way, what is the significance of the reform?

Emperor Shenzong, who was unable to think about it, became depressed and died. Then Emperor Zhezong ascended the throne as a child. In order to save the collapsed finances, the old party that returned to power decided to expand wealth. Not only did the Maritime Warehouse Department be reopened in Quanzhou and Mizhou, but they would build the Maritime Warehouse Department in any place in the country with the conditions to open the Maritime Warehouse Department.

It is in this political climate that the Mizhou Maritime Warehouse was able to open a port.

Thinking of this, Zhao Xing remembered his new appointment. He was very busy recently, referring to this matter. The new Jiaoxi County Magistrate Lin Ji took office, which means that the matter of Jiaoxi Construction County was put on the agenda. He was busy with the group training recently, but he didn't even show up in the county.

Unable to speak in the room, Zhao Xing decided not to disturb the reunion of his father and daughter. He greeted Azhu, called him to follow him, and set off to check in Jiaoxi County. The monk Foyin also wanted to follow him when he heard the news, and An Sida said: The journey was exhausted and he planned to take a few days off.

Considering that there were still many official duties in Jiaoxi County, Zhao Xing thought about it and called Yuan Yeping. This was the Promoter of Yuan, and left as soon as he called him. He put on a black sable fur, rode a horse heroically, and followed Zhao Xing's carriage all the way.

There are more horses and more horses in Mizhou now. Zhao Xing saw many people riding on the road while riding on horseback while taking advantage of the heavy snow. Under the warm fire in the car, Monk Foyin rubbed his hands while saying, "It's so cold, the climate has changed so much this year - the sky is yin, and even the people from the Nestorians are moving. Brother Zhao thinks, what does this indicate?"

Confucianism believes that "the response of heaven and man" is that the climate change on the earth is closely related to human morality. Now it is snowing continuously in the winter, because of the excess of yin energy. In order to eliminate this yin energy, the court has issued a continuous edict: Bingchen, the imperial court issued a continuous edict: the spring cold is cold, and the charcoal is sold for 15 days; Jiaxu, the memorial was sentenced to be imprisoned in Beijing and the prefectures. Except for the death penalty, the other criminals beat them with sticks and drove them home.

Soon, the court ordered the Jingxi Road Liquor Office to add the remaining money for the wine tax and return it to the Transport Department, and the Transport Department would return the part of the increase in the wine tax to the taxpayer; Xin Si, the municipality was ordered to exempt the taxes from the city (tax) households to be exempted from taxes for the first quarter. It also asked the author and lecturer Fan Zuyu to set up Futianyuan across the country to support the orphans and elderly people...

But the snow is still falling. After so many moral efforts, God still keeps falling.

According to Chinese tradition, when encountering such climate change, many ambitionists will jump out and plan to destroy the country - that is, change the dynasty. Therefore, the reminder of monk Foyin is to tell Zhao Xing: Don’t fool the people in the Nestorian Church.

Zhao Xing heard the meaning of the other party's words, and he jumped slightly and asked back: "The master just said that he had something to ask for, but I don't know what it was?"

Monk Foyin looked at Zhao Xing and found that the other party's eyes were clear. He understood that the other party understood his hint and said with a smile: "Actually it's nothing. I just arrived at Jinshan Temple, so I have to take out something for the temple. I found that you have some good wood from my father-in-law. I begged you to give a piece of wood and carve a wooden Buddha... I heard that Brother Zhao has a close relationship with Li Gonglin, Mi Fu, Wang Shi and other calligraphy and paintings. If the great official can ask them to paint a few Buddha statues..."

The monk really can't get involved. He helped Zhao Xing. Zhao Xing had already paid him, but now he was reluctant to put it on, which made Zhao Xing a little unhappy. He frowned and said, "The wood is not worth much money, but human favors are worth it. I will give you a piece of wood. But I hope that after you take the wood, don't tell outsiders that I don't donate it - this is my only requirement."

The monk Buddha seal was silent.

Originally, he wanted to publicize Zhao Xing's merits after Zhao Xing's donation, which shows that he has great supporters among the wealthy businessmen in Hangzhou and uses it to attract more people to donate, but Zhao Xing's request was to donate anonymously. In this way, the reward prepared by monk Foyin could not be obtained.

What reward can Foyin have? It is nothing more than verbal wisdom to promote this merit for Zhao Xing and promote Zhao Xing's kindness... However, the other party did not care, and specifically stated that human feelings were the most important. This sentence about human feelings was to point out to the monk Foyin: First, he would not ask people to ask people to draw Buddha statues for calligraphy and painting; second, he donated it for the sake of human feelings, not for the sake of Buddha's sake.

Now the monk Buddha seal has nothing to say.

He didn't know that Zhao Xing had visited some Buddhist temples and Taoist temples in modern times, and was full of disgust for these paid religions and the service attitude of charging from temples. In addition, he was very dissatisfied with the gods of clay sculptures and wood sculptures, thinking that they were just props for liars. The monk Foyin was a disaster in the pond.

The monk Foyin couldn't find the topic for the rest of the road, because in front of Zhao Xing, he always felt like he was seen through at first sight. The other party always looked at him with a faint smile, which made him seem a little lack of confidence, who was always eloquent. When he talked about Buddhist scriptures, Zhao Xing did not comment. He talked about compassion, but Zhao Xing suddenly asked: "Last year, Hangzhou was suffering from severe drought and flood, why didn't monks and Taoists give alms?"

This question was so choked that Foyin couldn't speak, so he had to turn the topic to the scenery on the roadside: "People say that Mizhou has fled for more than half last year. Now it seems that there are crowds of people on the market, and the scenery is good!"

Zhao Xing laughed.

After a year of road construction by the Mizhou Tuanzheng period, the road leading to Banqiao Town in Mizhou has basically been replaced with flat and compact roads. Zhao Xing also plans to replace it with cement roads this year to facilitate the transportation of goods. On such a carriage, it used to take most of the road, but now it only takes one-third of the time.

After noon, Zhao Xing's carriage arrived in Jiaoxi County. When Lin Ji heard that Zhao Xing was coming, he hurriedly brought the Ai Shi, Secretary Zhang and others out to greet him. His attitude was enthusiastic and thanked Zhao Xing: "The preliminary work done by the judge is too complete. The county's household department is complete, and the approval of the upper and lower households is very accurate. The people have no objection, which has saved the county a lot of effort."

Many household registration books in Jiaoxi County are mostly left over from the regiment training and strong laborers who were robbed by Zhao Xing from Jinzhou. These people retreated from the army, and Zhao Xing organized them according to the army, and each household was assigned grassroots cadres. This sound-organized village organization made Lin Ji feel very happy to manage. That's why he solemnly thanked Zhao Xing.

The villagers are easy to manage, and they have huge tax revenues backed by the Goryeo court. They are promoted quickly when they become officials in such places. When Lin Ji thinks about the future prospects, he will be awakened by laughter in his dreams these days.

Zhao Xing looked at the aides brought by Lin Ji, turned around to introduce the monk Foyin beside Lin Ji: "This is the monk Foyin of the abbot of Jinshan Temple in Hangzhou. This time, I escorted my father-in-law here and came here to see Jiaoxi County..."

Lin Ji's eyes flashed and asked, "Master is planning to set up a Buddhist temple in Jiaoxi County? If the master is interested, Lin is willing to open this."

In ancient China, monks were a special group, and their income was tax-free. Therefore, many people in the Song Dynasty became monks, not for their belief in worshiping Buddha, but for tax-free. Therefore, the Song Dynasty strictly controlled the quota of monks, and each monk had to hold a monk's disc issued by the government in order to practice legally.

The local government sells monks' discs with a large income. Generally speaking, each certificate can be sold for 300 cents. However, Jiaoxi has recently established a county and there is no temple in the local area. If monks and Foyin intend to set up temples in Jiaoxi, not to mention that there are many, Lin Ji sells ten certificates with a large income, which is a large income for the local government.

In theory, although Jiaoxi has a small population, it is a fat county. In such a place, there must be monks willing to come. The Japanese and Korean merchants who come to trade believe in Buddhism. If you become monks here, you will definitely be fat...

However... However... the monk Foyin was transferred from the poor place in Yingshan to the medium-sized city of Hangzhou. He didn't want to preach in such a small place with few counties. He gave a casual greeting and replied with a high-sounding sound: "The donor Lin has a good intention. I will praise such a great achievement..."

Then, there is no further information.

Lin Ji saw the other party's polite refusal, smiled with regret, waved his hand and asked Zhao Xing to sit in the inner hall, and introduced as he walked: "The magistrate knows the situation here, but according to the rules, I will tell you: Jiaoxi thoroughly investigated Dingkou this time, and there were more than 1,100 households, barely surpassing a thousand households, just a small county that cannot be small.

Speaking of which, the people are doing well. They have already divided every ten households into one street and every hundred households into one mile. The rat tail thin (household registration) is really clear. The people are governed by military law, which has made the villagers very few lawsuits. Since my official took office, there have not been much work.

However, there are fewer people in the county, and fewer people in the service should be. I am anxious to find a hundred people to repair the official office, but it has spread all over the four townships, but no one has come to serve. What can you do if you leave?"

Zhao Xing muttered in his heart that this guy was so vocal. He had a job in a small county with a single trick, and he could only give him a hundred strong laborers, and he would not let anyone live.

"County Master, please collect money. Jiaoxi Linhai, the people here tinker with a small boat to go into the sea for a while, and their income is not young. It can be said that the county is rich. Labor, hehe, the people in the county are delaying their work a day, how much is the less income? How could they be fine? They are willing to collect money? Well, many escaped people have come recently. After collecting money, they may be able to earn a fortune in the county... By the way, there are more than 300 "remaining employees" in my Mizhou Tuanjian, and there are still 100 residents in Linhai Village. In addition, there is a large salt farm in Linhai Village. The county magistrate, I want to incorporate all these into our county."

Lin Ji frowned slightly. The family members of the group train were also unstoppable people, and the remaining members of the group train were mostly elderly and weak. If these household registrations were added to the county, they had no impact on the income, but they would have to increase their expenditures. For example, after this heavy snow, the charcoal salary he would have to increase.

However, when Lin Ji's eyebrows were leaping and his face was filled with joy: "The imperial court gave 3,000 guan of money to start Jiaoxi County. Now there is not much money left. I don't know if there is any accumulation in the salt farm."

Zhao Xing looked up at the sky and stretched out a finger: "Ten thousand yuan, that salt farm was run by the remaining members of my group training. It was just for my group training to cure bacon. There is still some extra money in the account, and I will have to go with you."

Lin Ji curled his lips secretly and said to himself: "I don't know yet. You are a group of people in Mizhou. All officials from all over the country and all over Mizhou tied you up and tossed up the smuggling goods. I don't know how much private salt is sold in the Mizhou salt farm, but how much money is in the account is not your final say."

"The county needs to build county government offices, county schools, county prisons... 10,000 trump cards are probably not enough, so a little more!" Lin Ji continued to ask.

Zhao Xing pointed to the Maritime Warehouse and reminded: "Since Jiaoxi has established a county, the county should enjoy the tax accumulated in January and February. Why didn't County Magistrate Lin come here?"

Lin Ji shook his head: "I'm afraid the officials of the Maritime Bureau won't make it easy. I guess they've spent that money?"

Zhao Xing smiled and said, "Mr. Lin comes forward and I will support you... Let's do this, you go ahead and I will follow you, just go to the Goryeo Courtyard."

The Goryeo Courtyard is built along Tangjiawan and stretches for fifteen miles. It not only contains huge warehouses, but also its own tile houses and school libraries. It is a completely self-contained society. This government-built courtyard house costs zero every year - the government does not charge rent for one money, and the only obligation of the merchants who move in is to pay taxes.

This is the characteristic of the "republic system". Under the republic system, newly built private shopping malls need to pay rent, while the trading venues provided by the government are built with taxpayers' money and serve taxpayers, so there is no need to pay rent. Just paying taxes is considered to be fulfilled. It seems that the Song people may not know what a "republic" is, but what they do is a "republic".

Zhao Xing stood in front of this large-scale courtyard and was pondering. Lin Ji had already returned happily. His face was flushed with excitement: "Thirty thousand guan! Lord Zhao, they gave 30,000 guan. The monitor said that Lord Zhao was patrolling the streets and quickly gave us 30,000 guan. It was refreshing!"

Looking at Zhao Xing looking at the street thoughtfully, Lin Ji quickly added: "Mr. Dujian said that they have complete yamen runners in the Maritime Warehouse Department, but they don't need manpower. If you leave people, don't think about it."

Zhao Xing nodded: "Thirty thousand guan, if it is two months of income, it is too much, if it is the whole year's income, it is too little. I was thinking, if we take over the security of the Maritime Bureau, how many inputs can we have every year?"

Lin Ji was stunned for a moment when he heard this, and quickly added: "Mr. Zhao, they only asked me to sign for the receipt of 25,000 guan for these 30,000 guan. I'm afraid this money is..."

This money made Zhao Xing agree not to interfere in the internal affairs of the Maritime Bureau. It is part of the unspoken rules of the officialdom. This money can be controlled by the local officials, and you don’t need to pay any account to buy soy sauce for your own family. It is called a "small treasury" in modern times.

Zhao Xing smiled and nodded gently.

His nod was equivalent to agreeing not to interfere in the affairs of the Mizhou Maritime Warehouse. These five thousand stagnants fell steadily into Jiaoxi County's pocket.

As soon as he took office, he had the money in his pocket. What else did Lin Ji have to ask for? He quickly urged Zhao Xing to leave so that this guy would not change his mind.
Chapter completed!