Chapter Fifty-two: The Beautiful Misunderstanding

  The most costly things in large-scale construction are no more than three: one is a large amount of labor, the second is a large amount of building materials, and the third is time. Of course, there must be many other losses inside, but compared to the first three, they are somewhat insignificant. And the first three can be summarized in one sentence, that is, a large amount of labor and financial resources.

  As long as someone has money, everything is easy to say. But now for Yang Yiqing, his difficulty lies in having neither money nor people.

  After listening to Yang Yiqing's words, Jiang Xia shook his head and said: "Mr. Yang is too pedantic, how can you not have silver or people? Let me analyze it for you. First, you need to figure out what you are repairing, that is the city defense, after repairing it well, it is not used for your personal residence, but to resist foreign enemies."

  "This I understand?" Yang Yiqing said with a confused expression.

  "No, you're not clear." Jiang Xia said: "Since it's a national facility, the country should be responsible for funding its construction. At most, you are just a planner and supervisor. However, you mentioned earlier that the national treasury cannot afford to pay for it. But can't these national treasuries make up for it with other things?"

  For example, manpower, Lord Yang can go to the emperor to ask for a decree, letting him allocate all prisoners with sentences of five years or more nationwide to be used by you. Let them help you build city defenses, if they perform well, their sentences can be reduced, and if they don't, their sentences will be increased."

  Yang Yiqing's eyes lit up as soon as he heard it, and he said: "This method is feasible, it not only alleviates the burden of the Ministry of Punishment, but also allows these prisoners to play a role, the Emperor should agree."

  Jiang Xia continued: "Perhaps even so, the silver needed to build city defenses is still not enough, so at this time we have to go and pull in investors."

  "Angel investor?" This was a completely new term for Yang Yiqing, so he could only cast a seeking gaze at Jiang Xia.

  Jiang Xia said: "This is very simple, you are all from Shaanxi and Gansu provinces, after all, there must be some big rich families?"

  "This is it." Yang nodded and said: "Shaanxi has a lot of old door surnames, these door surname families are all very rich, can be said to be big family business."

  "That's it, then. The silver will be theirs."

  Yang Yiqing hesitated for a moment, thought about it, and lowered his voice to say to Jiang Xia: "Is Mr. Jiang's intention to have me lead the troops to forcibly seize it? This... is probably not appropriate?"

  "If you're tired of living, then you can do it that way." Jiang Xia said in a bad tone: "Didn't I tell you it's an investor? Investing, what is investing, do you understand? It means the capital invested will double back later. You connected three places with city walls and only left the city gate. Isn't it true that all merchants and travelers must pass through your city gate?"

  "Uh-huh." Yang nodded.

  Jiang Xia said, "Isn't that settled? You set up tariffs at the city gate. Ordinary people who enter and exit empty-handed cannot be taxed, but if merchants transport goods in and out, they must pay taxes according to a certain proportion. For those who invested previously, you exempt them from paying taxes for three years, and distribute a certain proportion of tariff revenue to them based on their investment amount. It's not necessary to give too much, just promise to distribute all tariffs within five years."

  "This...this will do." Yang Yiqing stared at Jiang Xia with wide eyes, his heart clear that the method Jiang Xia had just mentioned must be feasible. Those wealthy and powerful families in Shaanxi were all cunning people, they would definitely be able to hear the huge business opportunities hidden within the tariffs. In this way, if the imperial court allocated another 300,000 taels of silver to support it, the whole thing would be settled.

  Yang Yiqing never thought that what was originally a hopeless case would be resolved with just a few words in Jiangxia.

  Yang Yiqing stood up and bowed to Jiang Xia: "Master Jiang is indeed a great talent, such ingenious ideas are truly beyond the reach of ordinary people."

  "Never mind, never mind. As long as you let me take good care of... no, I mean, educate your daughter properly."

  Jiang Xia's heart skipped a beat as cold sweat broke out on his forehead. He had almost said "torture" instead of "take care".

  Yang Yiqing nodded, looking at Yang Jingjing: "Young Master Jiang is a man of great wisdom, you follow him and learn well for seven days. After seven days, I will send someone to pick you up."

  "Dad, don't! This guy is no good, don't!" Yang Jingjing exclaimed in a panic.

  Yang Yiqing's face turned stern as he said, "Don't you even listen to your father's words?"

  "Dad... I..." Yang Jingjing suddenly didn't dare speak again.

  Yang Yiqing stood up and said: "Alright, Dad is leaving. You remember to listen to Master Jiang's words and study hard."

  Yang Jing lowered her head, using her fingers to roll up the hem of her clothes, and didn't say a word.

  Yang Yiqing sighed and left.

  Just before leaving, Jiang Xia suddenly called out to Yang Yiqing: "Lord Yang."

  Yang Yiqing stopped in his tracks and turned around to face Jiang Xia, saying: "Young Master Jiang, is there anything else you'd like to instruct?"

  Jiang Xia took out the IOU signed by Yang Yiqing from his bosom and handed it to him, saying: "Mr. Yang is a true gentleman, I Jiang Xia admire such people, consider that meal outside as my treat, take this IOU back."

  "Mr. Jiang said..." Yang Yiqing thought for a moment and nodded: "Thank you, Mr. Jiang."

  "Although it was the first time I spoke with Master Jiang, I, Yang Yiqing, could also sense that Master Jiang is a true gentleman."

  Jiang Xia burst out laughing and shook his head: "That Yang gentleman must have been blind, haha..."

  Yang Yiqing left with his men, and before leaving, he apologized to Jiang Xia in front of everyone. After sending Yang Yiqing away, Jiang Xia returned to the private room where they had eaten earlier and found Yang Jingjing. He sneered and said: "Little girl, your dad and the others have all left, I wonder how you'll be so arrogant now."

  Yang Jingjing stood up, she suddenly rushed into Jiang Xia's arms and hugged him tightly, crying: "Waaah... my dad doesn't want me anymore, he left me to you this bad guy, waaah..."

  Jiang Xia was stunned, this... why is she crying again?

  Jiang Xia sighed, shaking his head and saying, "Alas, heaven's fault can be forgiven, but one's own fault cannot be lived with." Jiang Xia patted Yang Jingjing's back and said, "Forget it, I was just joking with you. Go ahead and go chase after your dad, he must not have gone far. I won't take you as my student anymore."

  "Bang!" Yang Jingjing suddenly stomped on Jiang Xia's foot with force, causing him to let out a pained shriek. Yang Jingjing quickly broke free from his embrace and ran out the door, saying: "Hmph! Do you think I'm someone you can keep or kick out as you please? I won't rest until I've made your life miserable!"

  After finishing speaking, Yang Jingjing ran away.

  Jiang Xia hugged his knees and shouted: "Yang Jing, if I believe in your tears again, I'll be a super invincible big fool."

  After talking with Yang Yiqing, I left, and the sky had already darkened completely.

  Jiang Xia was used to staying up late and getting up early, so he first patrolled around the Xianyao Mountain Villa. At this moment, it was the busiest time for the Xianyao Mountain Villa, and looking at such a booming business, Jiang Xia felt that the time when he could raise vicious dogs, bring beautiful maids, rely on power to bully people, and dominate the world was not far away.

  At this time, Yang Jingjing, who had just successfully ambushed Jiang Xia, found Han Yu.

  She stopped Han Yu and asked: "Hey, where is my residence?"

  Han looked at Yang Jing in puzzlement and asked: "You're not from our Carefree Mountain Villa, how can you have a place to stay here?"

  Yang Jingjing said with a scowl: "It's still that Jiang Xia, forcing my dad to leave me with him. Do you think I'm willing to stay here? Quickly find me a place to live, I want to sleep."

  As soon as Han Yu heard this, he was deeply impressed with Jiang Xia. A brothel owner could actually threaten a second-grade official to send his daughter to him for pleasure, this move was really high-handed. Han Yu smiled and pointed sideways: "Miss, follow me, the residence has been prepared long ago, it's absolutely the best room in our Xiangshan Villa."

  "That's about it." After saying that, Yang Jingjing followed Han Yu and walked over together.

  It's obvious that Han Yu misunderstood something.

  Night is getting deeper. The guests who came to play at Xiangyang Mountain Villa left or stayed overnight.

  Jiang Xia returned to his own room with a limp after finishing the meeting with employees.

  He pushed open the door and after entering the house, Jiang Xia automatically closed it behind him. He took out a lighter to light up, but suddenly he heard breathing sounds.

  The sound of breathing came from the bed, with a uniform rhythm and natural cadence, clearly indicating that he was already asleep.

  It's unlikely that someone would go to a killer while sleeping in their own bed. Jiang Xia thought for a moment and suddenly remembered that Cui Nianshu had told him that she would come to find him at night. As soon as he thought of this, Jiang Xia became excited, unexpectedly Nianshu sister was drunk but still remembered her promise.

  Oh, spring, bright spring, I have come to Jiangxia.

  Jiang Xia didn't say a word and started taking off his clothes. He absolutely wouldn't allow the situation where he couldn't undo his pants like the previous two times to happen again. After stripping down to just a singlet, Jiang Xia quietly walked over to the bedside. He took a deep breath, and the fragrance of the woman instantly entered his nostrils.

  That's it, this flavor.

  Jiang Xia was deeply moved in his heart, he didn't expect Cui Nian Nu to come and wait for him, and waited until he had already fallen asleep.

  Jiang Xia lifted the quilt and slipped in, because as soon as he reached out to touch, he felt a smooth arm, it was obvious that the person on the bed only wore a bellyband.

  Jiang Xia was overjoyed and shook "Cui Nian Nu"'s body gently, saying softly: "Nian Nu, Jiang big brother is here."

  After finishing speaking, Jiang Xia lowered his head and kissed down.

  It started with gentle and soft kisses, but soon became passionate and intense like a stormy rain. From the forehead to the cheeks, to the lips, to... (below the neck, cough, can't describe).

  "Ooh... it's so itchy."

  Jiang Xia stretched out his hand and climbed up the Sacred Girl Peak.

  Huh? The feel is off, it's a bit bigger, a bit smaller... pinch pinch...

  "Ah!!!!!!"

  "Who are you?"

  "What? Yang Jingjing? Not Nianshu?"

  "Jiang Xia? You son of a bitch, I'm going to kill you today..."

  "You shameless woman, who allowed you to enter my room and sleep on my bed? What are your intentions? Let me tell you, I am a chaste and virtuous young man, if you have any improper thoughts, I would rather die than comply."

  Then came the sound of fists and feet making contact, followed by the "ping ping pang pang" sound of things shattering.