Chapter 435: Chapter 248 The Imperial Authority Does Not Reach the Countryside_2
"Then you send it privately," Liang Run added, "By the way, this piece of Blood Jade was once soaked in a very famous medicinal herb from Dayuan, which is why it has pain-relieving effects."
"No wonder it has a medicinal fragrance."
"Unfortunately, I only managed to buy one piece," Liang Run said regretfully.
"Second Uncle, it’s already very impressive that you could buy such a good piece of Blood Jade."
"I’ve already told the others, if they see Blood Jade, no matter the cost, they must buy it," Liang Run said, "Blood Jade is particularly suitable for women to wear."
"That’s true," Zhao Yao accepted the Blood Jade and thanked Liang Run, "Second Uncle, thank you."
"There’s no need to be polite with me," Liang Run said, his expression suddenly becoming serious, "Yao Yao, I heard something today."
"What is it?" Zhao Yao noticed the serious look on Liang Run’s face and felt a slight unease, his own expression turning solemn. "What happened?"
"The Wang Family has opened several pawnshops in the capital, you know?"
"Is there something wrong with the pawnshops opened by the Wang Family?" Zhao Yao asked, "Every noble family in the capital has either a pawnshop or a bank."
"If they’re just ordinary pawnshops, it’s nothing, but I’ve heard that the Wang Family is using them to buy and sell official positions."
"What, buying and selling official positions?" Zhao Yao’s brow furrowed instantly, and his expression turned sour, "What’s going on?"
"I’ve heard that those who have requests from the Wang Family or want to secure even a minor official position don’t directly send gifts to the Wang Family. Instead, they take their items to pawn at the Wang Family’s pawnshop, which only charges a single coin," Liang Run continued, "Then they take a lot of money to redeem their items."
"Is it true?" Zhao Yao asked.
"It’s true. The Wang Family has opened these kinds of pawnshops not only in the capital but also in other places," Liang Run said, "There seems to be such a pawnshop in Yangzhou, too."
Zhao Yao frowned, his face cold as he said, "I didn’t expect the Wang Family to be so bold."
"I suspect it’s not just the Wang Family; other noble families are doing it as well," Liang Run said coldly, "I’ve also heard they make a considerable amount of money from these pawnshops every year."
"I didn’t expect the noble families to be so rampant."
"The Wang Family sells mostly some of the smaller out-of-town official positions, not very high ones, like County Magistrates or County Governors," Liang Run continued, "Slightly higher positions, like doctors or County Magistrates..."
Zhao Yao, with a cold expression, said, "Noble families control the officialdom; no wonder the Emperor and my father want to take action against them."
"These noble families are indeed too arrogant, and their descendants are all over the world," Liang Run said, sighing lightly, "Trying to completely eradicate these big families is truly difficult."
Zhao Yao frowned without speaking.
"These noble families control the out-of-town officialdom, using the fact that the Emperor is far away to seek profits for themselves, not caring about the life and death of ordinary people. This is truly reprehensible."
Zhao Yao remarked heavily, "Imperial power doesn’t reach the countryside."
"Exactly, imperial power doesn’t reach the countryside. But if we continue to let the noble families control the out-of-town officialdom like this, talented students from poor families will have no chance," Liang Run’s expression was very solemn, "Those who buy official positions with money will not benefit the people once they become officials, but rather exploit them, making it hard for the local people to have good lives."
"Yes, if the noble families continue like this, the people’s lives won’t improve." It seems the imperial examination cannot wait for him to set it up in Lingnan. "Second Uncle, take me to see Second Uncle, I have something to discuss with him."
"It’s already evening; do you really want to go now? Won’t it trouble your Second Uncle too much?"
"Second Uncle won’t mind."
"Will you be coming back tonight?"
"Afraid not." There is a curfew tonight, and once it’s the late hours, people aren’t allowed to walk the streets.
"Alright, I’ll take you there now."
He Lianfang didn’t expect Zhao Yao to visit him at night since they had spent the whole day together earlier.
"Coming to see me so late, did something happen?" He Lianfang asked.
"Second Uncle, I’m not going back tonight, I’ll stay here with you," Zhao Yao grinned at He Lianfang, "I can keep your bed warm."
He Lianfang chuckled with a helpless yet indulgent smile, "If you want to stay, then stay."
Zhao Yao grinned gleefully, "I knew you wouldn’t turn me away, Second Uncle."
The butler appeared silently, bringing Zhao Yao a cup of tea and a plate of snacks, then left just as quietly.
"So, what brings you here so late?" Although He Lianfang hadn’t spent a lot of time with Zhao Yao, he had long figured out his personality.