Chapter 30: Cigarettes can also be used to show off
"I will think of some solutions for you and inform you when there is a result." Zhang Hongjiang said after thinking for a while.
Perhaps because he saw the role played by Tang Wen, Zhang Hongjiang immediately wrote an official document and arranged for the messenger to send it to the provincial capital 800 miles away to help Tang Wen apply for promotion to the title.
Of course, the Governor's Office had no authority to approve promotions in titles; that was the responsibility of the Imperial Clan Court of the Great Chu Dynasty.
The Zongrenfu was the highest institution in the State of Chu to manage the royal family and was headed by the prince.
However, the royal family of Chu also set up four major clan halls outside, namely the southeast, northwest, northeast and southwest halls.
Linghai Province belonged to Nantang, which was in charge of the six southern provinces of the Great Chu State.
The hall was located in the largest city in the south, 'Haisheng City', 2,000 miles away from the provincial capital of Linghai, and was personally managed by a prince from the royal family.
The rank of a title like Earl is not high. After being cleared by the provincial governor's office, it will be sent to Haisheng City. After being approved by King Haisheng, it will be submitted to the Imperial Clan Court in the capital for filing.
Of course, if it is the title of Marquis, it must be approved by the Ministry of Clan Affairs and reported to the Emperor for approval.
After all, the Marquis is the overlord of a region, and he cannot be careless.
"Yang Yun, what do you think of Tang Wen?" Zhang Hongjiang asked after Tang Wen left.
“I have only been in contact with him for a short time. I went to Koh Samui for official business last time, and this is only my second time.
Although he is young, I feel that he is quite smart.
If we can give it to others, when Samui Island is reclaimed, we can hand over a large amount of food next year." Yang Yun said.
"This person seems to have a mature heart under his young appearance." At this time, the lawyer Zhou Tong at the side interjected.
"What do you mean?" Zhang Hongjiang looked at Zhou Tong.
"People say that the crying child gets the milk. I think his purpose is not to pay a certain amount of taxes and grain. However, I don't understand what he is thinking specifically," said Zhou Tong.
"Haha, the target is people." Zhang Hongjiang touched his chin and laughed.
"Human? How could it be a human?" Yang Yun asked puzzledly.
"Doesn't he keep repeating that he's short of people? Let's give them to others. When the time comes, if he can't deliver the food, I'll hold him accountable." Zhang Hongjiang said.
"Sir, it's not easy for us to find people. Although a large number of disaster victims have poured into Yanling, they are unwilling to go to the island to open up wasteland." Yang Yun said.
"You, don't you have a lot of people in prison?" Zhang Hongjiang said.
“They are criminals, why would anyone want them?
What would happen if we were sent to Koh Samui and things got chaotic?
Moreover, we cannot afford the responsibility of releasing the criminals privately." Yang Yun was shocked.
“I didn’t ask you to talk to the criminals in private. Over the past year, a large number of disaster victims have poured into Yanling, bringing endless risks to the public security of this county.
You see, people are killed every day, and many are injured. The prisons are overcrowded.
The government has to spend a lot of money every year to support these people, which is such a waste.
So, pick those petty thefts, small fights, and those that disrupt local order.
The victims who were supposed to be released after being detained for more than ten days can be sent to Koh Samui.
Also, if he needs more people in the future, you can choose from the disaster victims.
Just arrest those disobedient victims and send them over there with a reason.
Firstly, it is beneficial to the public security of our Yanling City, and secondly, it also solves his urgent problem.
Thirdly, we give it to others and then we can increase taxes.
If he fails to hand it in, I will have a reason to punish him." Zhang Hongjiang said.
"That's a good idea." Yang Yun said with a smile.
"What should we do about Kang Qingfeng from the Six Gates? That guy is not easy to talk to." Zhou Tong said.
“In a few days, I used the expedited route of 800 miles this time, so his earldom should be approved soon.
Bring up this matter again after you are promoted to the title. Then I will have reasons to plead for leniency.
Also, find out quietly why Qiao Xiao was arrested by Kang Qingfeng." Zhang Hongjiang said.
"I understand." Yang Yun nodded.
"This is quite a coincidence, master. Look, how could a simple fight between Qiao Xiao attract people from the Six Gates?" Ge Ziyun said after returning to the house.
"Are you saying someone is plotting against him?" Tang Wen asked.
"Master, didn't you tell me that? Maybe it has something to do with Qianyefang's price-cutting." Ge Ziyun said.
"They want to ruin our deal with Qianyefang so that they can buy Qianyefang at a low price," said Bu Feng.
"If we buy Qianyefang at lightning speed, they will lose interest. By then, they will no longer focus on Qiao Xiao," said Tang Wen.
"Of course, but we don't have that much money," said Ge Ziyun.
"We don't have anything else but money. There's no rush. Let's go meet Li Dawang, the owner of Qianyefang, tomorrow morning." Tang Wen shook his head.
At nine o'clock the next morning, Tang Wen brought Ge Ziyun and others to Wangjiang Tower, where Li Dawang had agreed to meet.
Li Dawang is really fat, with a big belly and a typical fat head and big ears.
Although he was wearing a high-end silk robe, it looked tacky no matter how he looked at it.
The guy was also a heavy smoker. As soon as he sat at the table, he bit the golden pipe and started puffing out clouds of smoke.
Of course, the Chu State only had local tobacco, the kind that would choke you to death when you smoke it.
However, Li Dawang was quite high-profile, acting as if no one was around and looking arrogant, and he didn't take Tang Wen seriously at all.
After Tang Wen sat down, he ignored him and took out a pack of Phoenix cigarettes. He pressed his hand on the box and a cigarette popped out.
Then he took out a gold-plated windproof lighter and lit the cigarette with a slight click.
Li Dawang was stunned and stared at Tang Wen blankly.
"Brother, what is that?" Li Dawang couldn't help it, he raised his hand and pointed at Tang Wen's cigarette and lighter and asked, his finger almost poking the cigarette butt.
"How dare you!" Bu Feng's face suddenly turned stern and he scolded.
"Boy, you're looking for death by yelling at him?" Li Dawang slammed the table and cursed at Bu Feng.
"This is our Lord Tang! He just came out of the county magistrate's mansion yesterday. Will his title of earl be approved soon?" Ge Ziyun, who was standing behind him, said in a sarcastic tone.
"Count? Aren't you a baron? How come you suddenly became a count?" Li Dawang was stunned and didn't believe it.
"Do you think I've lied to you? Come on, Li Dawang, send someone to the yamen to ask the head of police Yang Yun and you'll know the answer." Tang Wen slammed the table angrily.
"Li Dawang greets the Earl. " Li Dawang's momentum weakened immediately after hearing this. He quickly stood up and bowed.
"Our boss is still a wealthy man, so please forgive him for not kneeling, Lord Earl." A middle-aged man who looked like a legal advisor and stood behind Li Dawang explained with a little arrogance.
It is impossible for the people of the Great Chu State to gain opportunities for official career and fame through wealth. The status of scholars is unparalleled, and if they can buy an official position at will, it would be tantamount to tarnishing this official position.
Later, some wealthy people also wanted to have power, so they donated money to buy an official position, but officials had to pass the imperial examination, which they had no way to participate.
Therefore, the court of the Great Chu established the idle position of "Yuanwai".
Anyway, the official has no real power, so why not make some money from the court?
Although the Yuanwai had no administrative power, they could use their status to manage the villages.
Let them serve as grain chiefs and village heads, and let them control and restrict the people through grain.
Moreover, with this status, just like a scholar, one can meet officials without kneeling.
This is also a symbol of status, and many wealthy people talk about it with relish .
But Tang Wen was an earl and a member of the Chu noble family. Although he was only a nominal title without any real power, his status was far superior to that of Li Dawang.
"Want to try it?" Tang Wen asked.
"Think about it." Li Dawang looked at the smoking Phoenix cigarette, smelled the aroma, and almost drooled.
"Come on, pick one and try." Tang Wen popped one out for him.
"Your..." After Li Dawang grumbled, he stared at Tang Wen's lighter.
"Use it like this..." Tang Wen handed it over. Li Dawang tried it and it made a click sound, but no fire was seen.
But when he brought it close to the cigarette, it actually lit up. Suddenly, he was so scared that his hand shook and the lighter fell to the ground with a crisp sound.
"This Western stuff is very expensive, Mr. Li." Tang Wen said with a stern face, pretending to be very angry.
"I...I'll compensate you, I'll compensate you." Li Dawang quickly picked up the lighter with a smile.
"Forget it, it's not broken, no need to pay for it." Tang Wen waved his hand, took the lighter and put it in his pocket. Li Dawang kept staring at Tang Wen's pocket.
Because, this lighter, plus these cigarettes, are so classy when showing off in the other world.
"How is it? Does it smell good?" Tang Wen asked again.
"It smells good, so good." Li Dawang nodded.
"Are you comfortable?" Tang Wen asked again.
"Comfortable, very comfortable." Li Dawang nodded repeatedly.
