No matter how good your connections or how strong your background, if you don't have real talent, you won't be able to attend this gathering. In today's terms, it's a small circle, a small circle exclusively for outstanding second-generation individuals.
In the past, when people encountered important matters, they often liked to gather like this, getting together in a grand manner to discuss them. It not only enhanced their social standing but also provided an opportunity to acquire knowledge, learn about different perspectives, and get to know each other better—why not?
Today, everyone is discussing the matter of Lin Yang, the Duke of Wu. It's truly unexpected.
"There's no way around it; this Duke of Wu's way of doing things is truly extraordinary. Others, when they have something to offer, try to hoard it all for themselves, but he generously shares it. Whatever the real reason, that kind of magnanimity alone is remarkable," a scholar beside him said calmly.
This man is named Kuai Liang, the eldest son of the Kuai family in Jingzhou. The somewhat shy boy behind him is his younger brother, Kuai Yue.
In the future, the two brothers will become Liu Biao's top strategists, controlling the entire administrative system of Jingzhou, which is quite impressive.
"Hehe, there's no other way. Relying solely on the Duke of Wu, development is simply too slow. So, he's openly calling on us to invest. Look at the instructions here: bring a thousand people over, and you'll be rewarded with a rank of nobility, hereditary for two generations, and a fief of one li (approximately 5 kilometers). Bring ten thousand people over, and you'll be rewarded with a rank of baron, hereditary for three generations, and a fief of one ting (approximately 6.7 hectares). Bring a hundred thousand people over, and you'll be rewarded with a rank of baron, hereditary for five generations, and a fief of one village. This kind of generosity is practically selling official positions!" An ugly child exclaimed, his eyes wide with curiosity.
It's really ugly. The eyes are big and round, but the nose protrudes high. There are also some pockmarks on the face, making it bumpy. The mouth is also very big, with thick lips. Overall, it looks really bad.
That's right, this ugly child is none other than the famous Pang Tong, the "Young Phoenix." It's just a pity he's only a little kid at this point. As for why he didn't get plastic surgery, it's said he planned to change his appearance after he became famous. Quite ambitious for his age!
Hearing Pang Tong's words, everyone gasped in shock. If the Wu Kingdom could truly prosper, then its nobles would naturally become more valuable. In that case, exchanging 100,000 commoners for a baronship that would last for five generations wasn't entirely out of the question.
A township can have 10,000 households. Even though Xiangyang itself is in the south and its population is not as large as that of the Central Plains, there are still 10 people per household.
In other words, a single township could have 100,000 people. And what about a county? Or the entire Xiangyang Prefecture?
It's important to understand that the vast majority of prominent families have good reputations. At the very least, they treat the people in their hometowns and surrounding areas very well. They might build a bridge or pave a road for them. Furthermore, the village elders and even the yamen runners in the county government are often people from these prominent families.
Over time, over thousands of years, the words of ordinary people have become more effective than those of the government!
Therefore, as long as these aristocratic families are willing, once the patriarch speaks, mobilizing 100,000 people might require some preparation beforehand, but mobilizing 10,000 people is simply a piece of cake.
“It’s not difficult to have 10,000 or even 100,000 people, but the question is whether it’s worth it? Does the Wu Kingdom really have that kind of value? What if we lose money?” A muscular young man, who looked like he had trained, suddenly said.
This man was named Cai Mao, the eldest son of the Cai family. His aunt, who was also his father's elder sister, was the wife of Zhang Wen, the Minister of War (historically, he was the Grand Commandant, but here we'll call him Minister of War). They were also one of the most powerful and influential families in the area.
"Besides, can't you see for yourself whether it's worth it or not? The Duke of Wu didn't say you had to invest, did he? Didn't you see this is just an invitation? If you have any questions or want to know anything later, just ask him directly. If you're too shy to ask, just prepare a few servants in advance." Pang Tong said disdainfully.
Whenever Pang Tong was with this group of friends, he would unconsciously feel a sense of superiority. This intellectual crushing was truly amazing.
Upon hearing this, Cai Mao wasn't angry. After all, he was a man who had received a good education from a prominent family, and he still possessed basic manners. Besides, no matter how angry he was, seeing that pockmarked, donkey-like face next to him made him lose his temper.
“That’s right, Shi Yuan is right. I’ll just find a few wandering knights and give them some money. Even if they ask things I shouldn’t, the Duke of Wu won’t cause me any trouble, right? What’s this trick called? Right, it’s called temporary workers. Yes, it’s all done by temporary workers, it has nothing to do with me.”
"If it's suitable, I'll bring people over; if not, then forget it," Cai Mao said with a smile.
Upon hearing this, many of the young people couldn't help but nod in agreement. With the rise of the Land of Reincarnation, the old trick of colluding with petty officials, undermining the authority of other officials, and acting as a local tyrant while occasionally doing a few good deeds to build up one's reputation was no longer effective.
In the face of a rapidly changing era, change is inevitable. For example, investing in the chosen ones, investing in the chosen ones, investing in the chosen ones. This is already a consensus among many aristocratic families.
When the time comes, I'll go there by invitation, ask some questions, and that will give me a general idea of whether Wu is worth investing in. If it is, then everything will be fine. If it isn't, then it's impossible for Lin Yang, the Duke of Wu, to offend so many powerful families all at once, is it?
"By the way, what do you think of this reason? Using the sword of the Han Dynasty to acquire land for the people of the Han Dynasty. And this so-called population explosion theory and the cycle of order and chaos, it sounds quite reasonable." Huang Yueying said calmly.
It can only be said that women are indeed different; their thought processes are indeed unique. While many scions of noble families were thinking about how to gain benefits, Huang Yueying immediately focused her attention on these slogans.
“Yes, this so-called sword and plow does sound very appealing. Even I was quite excited when I first heard it yesterday; it’s very persuasive. At least, ordinary people would be misled by this slogan,” Yang Yi said earnestly.
Those familiar with the Three Kingdoms period know that this is another historical figure. In the future, this person would become the right-hand man of Zhuge Liang, the Prime Minister of Shu Han, which shows his considerable ability.
"This is what you call being well-prepared. Using this slogan, you are naturally in the right. Invading other worlds for the benefit of the Han people is a truly noble and righteous reason! And if the Wu Kingdom has a promising future, wouldn't that please the powerful families? By pleasing both the powerful families and the common people, it would be difficult for the Wu Kingdom not to prosper!"
“Anyway, I’m becoming more and more optimistic about the Duke of Wu. In a few days, I’ll listen to what he has to say, and maybe he’ll even make a trip to Wu himself. Do you want to go then?” Pang Tong suddenly said.
"Okay, let's go together."
"Great, let's go together."
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Chapter 40: Young Zhou, a highly regarded Imperial Guard and Imperial Secretary.
In October, the autumn harvest had just ended, and many heads of prominent families had just returned from the fields. Regardless of whether it was all for show, at least they put on a good show. For example, they personally rolled up their sleeves, changed their clothes, and went to the fields to harvest.
Today is the day of the roadshow that Lin Yang invited. Actually, it's just a gathering, and the participants are all wealthy and influential people. At the very least, they're rich!
The organizer of the gathering was none other than Lin Yang, the Duke of Wu. His purpose wasn't simply to eat and drink, but to stand on the stage, introduce the advantages of Wu, showcase its valuable assets, and then solicit investment from the crowd, demonstrating his eloquence.
The ultimate goal is to access the population, resources, and talent controlled by these powerful figures. More importantly, once a partnership is established with them, it's equivalent to gaining access to a vast network of connections.
It must be said that in the Han Dynasty, personal connections were a very important, albeit intangible, resource. This wasn't just true then; it remained true in later generations. Every year at the end of the year, countless people carried money in their pockets, unsure of whom to give it to!
Just like now, if Lin Yang and Pang Tong reach a cooperation agreement, it means that if Lin Yang encounters any trouble in Xiangyang, he can immediately draw on the Pang family's influence if he wants. With the help of local bigwigs, it will be more convenient to do whatever he wants, right?
At eight o'clock in the morning, which is the Chen hour in the Chinese sexagenary cycle (辰巳午未), the Wanhua Tower in Lujiang County was already fully booked.
Outside the Wan Hua Lou, crowds of curious onlookers gathered. Inside, however, the air was filled with the fragrance of perfume, a scene of idyllic beauty. After all, this was the Wan Hua Lou, one of the most prestigious chain brothels in the entire Han Dynasty, and by its standards, it was the highest-class in the entire Lujiang Prefecture.
Lin Yang didn't want to choose this place originally, but the problem was that it had to meet the requirements: high standards, good facilities, beautiful girls, and a refined atmosphere. After searching around, he had no choice but to find this wicked Wan Hua Lou.
At this time, the entire Wanhua Tower had been booked out for today's gathering. At the entrance stood rows of well-organized, fully armed Imperial Guards.
There was no other way; their employment period was only three years. After three years, they would return to Luoyang. They weren't even our own people, so who else could we assign the tougher, more tiring work to if not them? Therefore, it was a case of using them while they were still alive.
He stood there quietly, his right hand resting on the hilt of his sword. His eyes, sharp as an eagle's, were so intense that looking into anyone felt as if being pierced by a sword, causing excruciating pain. He constantly scanned the onlookers around him.
It must be said that although many of the onlookers were quite bold and usually prided themselves on being knowledgeable, they still retreated under the watchful eyes of so many Imperial Guards. They could only stand at a distance, observing and discussing the situation.
"Hmm, that old man looks familiar. He exudes an air of official authority even from afar, despite being dressed in casual clothes."
"Let me see, long beard, looks quite amiable, with an air of quiet authority. Wait, isn't this the former Minister of War, Minister Zhou? What's he doing here?"
"And you don't know this, do you? The eldest grandson of Minister Zhou, young Zhou, is currently under the tutelage of the Duke of Wu, training himself. It is said that the Duke of Wu likes him very much and has given him the rank of Imperial Guard and Imperial Secretary, an eighth-grade official, specifically responsible for drafting the Duke of Wu's edicts. Keep in mind, young Zhou is only eight or nine years old!"