A trip starting from the courtyard

Chapter 658 I can only wrong the teacher's family and move out of the palace

The son-in-law Li Wei briefly described the content of today's meeting, but regrettably said, "This year, the amount of cotton planted is somewhat small."

Princess Fukang rolled her eyes, "You have been talking about it every day for the past two months, worrying that the cotton cloth will not be sold. Have you discussed how many acres of cotton you plan to expand next year?"

The son-in-law Li Wei said, "Just now we discussed it and decided to expand planting by 100 million mu next year."

Princess Fukang was surprised, "Why do you grow so much? Isn't it not enough to sell next year?"

"Yuan Ruo made a decision. He recently sent people to investigate in Bianliang and several nearby counties. It is estimated that there are 800 million mu of land, which will be planted with cotton next year. Next year's cotton production, at least this year's 5~6 times,"

Li Wei said with some concern, "This is only near Gyeonggi. There will definitely be many people in the other twenty or so roads who will switch to cotton."

He had originally planned to buy some fields after the dividends were distributed and secretly planted some cotton. Today, when he received a dividend of 60 guan, he was very excited. With the 30 guan at home, he could buy almost 30 mu of land. , There will be an income of less than 2000 million yuan next year.This is all earned by myself, and there is no need to share it with others.

But after listening to Qi Heng's analysis, it was like being poured a basin of ice water, and his heart felt cold. At that time, he could feel that most of the shareholders in the hall had the same reaction as him.

There was a trace of sadness on Princess Fukang's face, "Then the business of our cotton cloth trading company will definitely be affected next year?"

The old emperor coughed twice, and Princess Fukang hurriedly stepped forward to help the old man straighten his back, "What's wrong with Dad?"

The old emperor shook his head slightly, motioning for his son-in-law to help him up. With the support of Li Wei and the chief eunuch, the old emperor got off the dragon couch and walked around the hall twice. Feeling a little tired, he sat down at the tea table. The bones are all loose, and it’s much more comfortable to walk around twice.” After taking two sips of the hot tea offered by my daughter, I comforted my daughter and said, “It’s not difficult to grow cotton, but there are some skills in weaving and dyeing. My brother has worked so hard to start the cotton cloth business, how could he be taken advantage of by others in vain?"

Princess Fukang felt relieved when she thought that the several kinds of colorful fabrics launched this time were more colorful and beautiful than Shu brocade and Yun brocade.

The old emperor made some rough calculations in his mind, and said, "Cotton cloth sells so well, next year the imperial court will be able to pay more than 2000 million yuan in taxes, and then we will be able to have a lot of money."

Hearing this, Princess Fukang's little heart hurts. The 2000 million taxes that the father said, but she has 60 yuan, "Daddy, ten taxes and two are too high, or you can lower it by one, lower it." I think it's about the same as ten tax one."

The old emperor smiled and didn't take up his daughter's words. He thought it was because his health was failing, and he wanted the cotton cloth to be returned to the official camp in the face of the risk of rebellion by the nobles.

He could imagine that his next successor would definitely take this step as long as he sat firmly on the dragon chair. An industry whose annual income exceeds all the taxes of the imperial court, if left unattended, he would not be able to sleep peacefully at night.

The next day, it was a holiday. During breakfast, Qi's father chatted that the family hadn't gone out for a long time, so he proposed to go to Fanlou to have a meal at night.

"I heard from my colleagues that Fanlou has invited several famous chefs from Sichuan Province recently, and the dishes they cook taste very good."

Princess Pingning nodded, the family hadn't gone out for a long time.

Seeing his father looking at him, Wang Lidong nodded in agreement.

At this time, peppers had not been introduced to the Central Plains from South America. Without peppers, Sichuan cuisine would lose half of its soul.

Wang Lidong and Fugui at the side gave a few instructions to let the business company pay attention to the information about peppers. If they can get the seeds, spicy hot pot will be popular in winter.
Qi's mother said, "Heng'er, is brother Xuan in love with the sixth daughter of the Sheng family?"

Wang Lidong nodded, and asked curiously, "How did mother know?"

Qi Mu said,
"Yesterday your aunt suddenly came to inquire about the sixth daughter of the Sheng family."

Just as Wang Lidong was about to inquire about his aunt's impression of Sheng Minglan, Fugui entered the room and walked beside him, and whispered, "My lord, someone is coming from the palace."

"Who is here?"

"Mr. Liang."

Wang Lidong and his parents made a complaint, came to the front hall, cupped his hands and said, "Mr. Liang, long time no see, you are getting richer."

Handing over a hundred-yuan silver note out of habit, Liang Daguan smiled and said, "Young master is too polite. It shouldn't be a bad thing for the official to invite you to the palace immediately."

Not a bad thing, but probably not a good thing either.

After half a stick of incense, Wang Lidong walked into the Zichen Hall, the old emperor seemed to be in good health, and was sitting at a desk, reading the memorial.

"My humble minister, Qi Heng, pay my respects to Your Majesty."

The old emperor didn't raise his head, "Bring me a chair for Brother Heng."

Wang Lidong cupped his hands and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty."

After reading the memorial in his hand, the old emperor took Wang Lidong to inquire about the situation of the cotton cloth trading company. From cotton planting to cotton printing and dyeing and sales, everything was in detail. When he heard that the water loom could simultaneously spin When there were 64 spindles, he asked in surprise, "That is to say, one water conservancy textile machine can equal 64 textile machines?"

Wang Lidong nodded and said, "Our workshop is a 12-hour non-stop production. To be precise, one machine can be worth more than 100 textile machines."

"Is this textile machine hard to imitate like a bearing?"

"Several key components of the textile machine can only be made by the iron workshop under the Four Seas."

"Do you sell this textile machine to the outside world?"

Wang Lidong shook his head, "We don't have enough for ourselves, and we won't be selling them to outsiders in a short time!"

The textile machine and the dyeing process of cotton cloth are the core competitiveness of the cotton trading company. If it is sold to the outside world, how can he make money from the cotton cloth business, and how can he cheat those bastards who want to rob him of his small money.

The old emperor nodded, as expected.Thinking of the sales of cotton cloth this year, the sales of linen cloth will definitely be greatly affected, and then I feel a little worried. As a result, many peasant women will lose a part of their income.

In ancient agricultural societies, "men farming and women weaving" was the standard way of life.Although the Song Dynasty had developed commerce, its economic base was still agriculture. Therefore, "men do farming and studying, and women do weaving, so they are physiological." In addition to tidying up the farmland, women and men would weave some linen at home in their spare time, which could not only supplement their household expenses, but also Tax deductions are also available.Nowadays, cotton cloth is so popular, linen cloth has a bad experience, but the expensive cloth will definitely lose the market.

Wang Lidong said, "Your Majesty, the Four Seas Cotton Cloth Trading Company now has four production workshops and has recruited more than 45000 textile workers. Ninety-nine percent of them are women and men, mostly from Bianjing and the surrounding areas."

The old emperor was surprised, "Why did you recruit so many textile workers?"

According to what Qi Heng said just now, the output of one textile machine is about 250 catties a day.The Cotton Production of Sihai Commercial Co., Ltd. this year is only about 4 million catties, one share for each of the four textile workshops, and each workshop only needs about 3000 textile workers.

Wang Lidong said, "Seventy to eighty percent of them are 'short-time workers'. They only work once every two or three days, or they can only do half-time work a day."

The old emperor asked, "What is the average monthly salary of a textile worker? How much can a 'temporary worker' get in a month?"

Wang Lidong said, "We implement a piecework pay system. The more you work, the more you get. If you can work for a full month, the average monthly salary is 6 guan. For 'short-time workers', most of them are [-] or [-] guan."

The old emperor nodded in relief, turned his head and said to Liang Daguan, "You all stand down."

Officer Liang bowed to accept the order, and after a while, only the old emperor and Wang Lidong were left in the whole hall.

The old emperor said, "You have done a good job with Fukang. What reward do you want?"

Wang Lidong cupped his hands and said, "Princess Fukang and the student have known each other since they were young, and they are like brothers and sisters. The student is also very happy to help her now. And it's just a trivial matter. The teacher is too far-fetched."

nonsense!
The old emperor glanced at Qi Heng, "You really don't want a reward? Then do you take it seriously?"

Wang Lidong looked around and said, "Your Majesty, if the student remembers correctly, in ten days, Princess Baoshou will 'catch the week', and at the beginning of next month, it will be Princess 'Yongshou''s turn to 'catch the week'. "

The old emperor felt warm when he thought of the two little padded jackets. He didn't expect that when he was about to leave, God would give him two big gifts. Unfortunately, he didn't have much time, so he sighed. Can't help feeling sad.
"Brother Heng, I want to ask you something"

Wang Lidong got up and bowed deeply, "Please tell me, teacher."

The old emperor said quietly, "After I die, if Yongshou and Baoshou are not doing well, you can help me if you can."

Wang Lidong said, "Teacher, the two princesses are the princesses of Song Dynasty, and they are free to be taken care of by the royal family."

The old emperor waved his hand and said, "My princess is mostly not taken seriously. When Yongshou and Baoshou reach adulthood, they will definitely find a concubine casually, give them a dowry of Wanguan, and send them out of the palace."

Wang Lidong curled his lips secretly, thinking that his daughter can live in the palace until she reaches adulthood, which is very beautiful.In history, after the death of this man, Song Yingzong immediately drove Renzong's three daughters out of the palace after he ascended the throne, gave their palaces to his daughters to live in, and withheld Princess Fukang's salary, even if he was abused by his son-in-law. Fukang's servants were also cut down, so that she was left unattended when she was sick in bed.

Seeing a sneer in Qi Heng's eyes, the old emperor was a little annoyed, and asked, "Brother Heng doesn't seem to agree with my idea?"

Wang Lidong cupped his hands and said, "Teacher has lived in the palace for decades, what do you think of the palace?"

The old emperor thought for a while and replied, "It's boring, it's crowded."

The imperial palace of the Han Dynasty had three relatively large palaces, Weiyang Palace of 4.6 square kilometers, Jianzhang Palace of 5 square kilometers, and Changle Palace of 6.6 square kilometers.

The imperial palace of the Tang Dynasty, Daming Palace covers an area of ​​3.5 square kilometers, and Shangyang Palace in Luoyang, the eastern capital, roughly covers an area of ​​about 800 million square meters (that is, 8 square kilometers).

The Bianliang City was developed from the state city in the Tang Dynasty. The predecessor of the Song Dynasty Palace was only the government of Jiedushi, with an area of ​​only 1.1 square kilometers.

During Taizong's period, he wanted to expand, but encountered a problem - demolition!At that time, Emperor Taizong asked the officials to seek advice from the residents within the scope of demolition and land expropriation. As a result, most of the residents were unwilling to move out.Song Taizong did not dare to carry out forced demolitions due to his reputation, so he had to give up in the end.

Wang Lidong clasped his hands and said, "The palace of my dynasty is very small, and the teacher's family lives in a very crowded place. The student said something disrespectful. After the new emperor ascends the throne, there will be no room for two families in such a small palace. I can't let the princess , Let the concubines live in the same room in twos and threes.

At that time, there are only two choices. The new emperor will let his princess and concubine live outside the palace. "

The old emperor jumped up as if he had been stabbed in the 'chrysanthemum', and said angrily, "Fart, he dares! I rule the world with filial piety. If he does this, he will be disloyal and unfilial, and he will be cast aside by the people of the world."

The Song Dynasty inherited the tradition of "governing the world with filial piety" from the Han and Tang Dynasties, and put the "culture of filial piety" in the first place. Since the time of Song Taizu Zhao Kuangyin, it has attached great importance to the culture of filial piety. The "Book of Filial Piety" clearly divides filial piety into: the filial piety of the emperor, the filial piety of the princes, the filial piety of the officials, the filial piety of the scholars, and the filial piety of the common people.

Song Taizu Zhao Kuangyin's posthumous title was "Qiyun Li Jiying, Wu Rongwen, Shende, Shenggong, Ming Da' Xiao'Emperor", and later Taizong's posthumous title of "Da Ming Guangxiao Emperor" and Zhenzong's "Zhang Shengyuan Xiao Emperor".It can be seen that the rulers of the Song Dynasty had a persistent pursuit and desire for filial piety.

Wang Lidong hurriedly took half a step back, so as not to be sprayed with saliva, and when the old emperor finished venting, he said, "So what if you spit on him. Could it be possible to drive him off the throne? At most, he will be scolded for a few months. After a long time, this matter It has passed. In fact, it doesn’t take a few months. After half a month, most people will remember such insignificant things. As long as the new emperor does not go against the law and increase taxes, he will be a good emperor in the eyes of the people.”

The old emperor gritted his teeth with a gloomy face and said, "The ministers will never agree!"

Wang Lidong sneered and said, "The teacher is right, there will definitely be many ministers who will stand up and accuse the new emperor of being unfilial.

But so what?

They are not grievances for the teacher, but to show their fortitude and integrity. It would be even better if they were dismissed by the new emperor. .

As for the teacher's family members who are kicked out of the palace, whether they are dead or alive, but no official will really feel at ease."

The old emperor immediately wanted to refute it. Most of today's chief executives, Zeng Gongliang, Wen Yanbo, Sima Guang, etc., were promoted from Weimo. The behavior of civil servants in these years.
My heart felt cold for a while!
My queen's future queen mother and several princesses are not born by the queen, so it will be good if they don't make trouble when the time comes.

As for the cousin's family, after her daughter got married, her life was terrible. If it wasn't for Qi Heng's action, the ending
The old emperor felt depressed for a while, and was even more upset with Qi Heng, who was provoking trouble. He waved his hand, signaled Qi Heng to step back, and then called Mr. Liang, "I will dictate, and you will write."

Yanwang Mansion

"Crack!" King Yan slammed the teacup on the ground, and all the counselors raised their sleeves to cover it, so as not to scratch the eater from the broken porcelain.

"Child Qi Heng, wait for me. When Gu Gu ascends to the throne, he will surely steal the Duke of Qi!" Just now the head steward reported the dividends of the Sihai Trading Company, and the figure of 800 million pierced Yan Wang's eyes red.In the past two months, he has actively contacted Qi Heng many times, wanting to take a stake in the cotton cloth trading company, but it is a pity that Qi Heng didn't bother him at all.If he had so much money, his great career would be secure.

Blocking his throne is like killing his parents, the hatred is irreconcilable!

Duke Qin walked into the study room, saw debris all over the floor, frowned slightly, and after King Yan's cursing stopped, he stepped forward and whispered, "Father, there is news from the palace."

King Yan vented for a while, feeling much more at ease, took two sips of tea, and said, "What news?"

"The government suddenly gave orders to the eight clans"

"What is the content of the will?"

Qin Guogong shook his head and said, "At that time, there were only two people in the hall. The official dictated it himself, and Mr. Liang picked up a pen, and only heard a few vague words."

"Which words?"

"Give meritorious service and try our best"

King Yan said unswervingly, "Just these four words?"

Qin Guogong nodded.

King Yan clapped the table and said, "Trash! Over the years, I have spent countless amounts of money, but I still haven't won the soft one. Trash, all of them are trash!"

"Which eight clans are they, is it clear?"

"Zhao Shijing of Huazhou, Zhao Ceji of Chenzhou, Zhao Zongquan of Yuzhou, Zhao Xinzhou"

King Yan thought for a while, and said, "Why are they all the clans around Kaifeng Mansion?"

The chief counselor said, "My lord, these eight clans are not only near Kaifeng, but also hold military power. But most of them are observation envoys and defense envoys, and there are at most two or three hundred soldiers under them."

King Yan sat down and tapped his fingers on the table lightly, "Among these eight people, will one of them be the candidate for the crown prince?"

The counselors spoke one after another, all with different opinions. As they talked, several counselors started arguing. "Buzzing buzzing" King Yan's head was a little swollen from the noise, he slapped the table to signal silence, and pointed to the chief counselor. , "Bo Yong, what's the best way?"

The chief adviser cupped his hands and asked, "Your Majesty, when will the Marquis of Xiangyang leave the capital to patrol the Hebei Road and East Road?"

The Song Dynasty would send generals and important ministers to the border every year to patrol the border. This year, it was originally Li Zhang, the commander of the Guards and Infantry Division, but the old emperor's health was about to fail. Of course, he was worried that the number one confidant would leave Beijing, so he was replaced by the Marquis of Xiangyang.

"Leaving the capital in three days."

The chief raised his right palm and made a beheading motion, "I'd rather kill the wrong than let it go. After five days, send these eight people to see the great grandfather."

King Yan clapped his hands and praised, "Bo Yong, my son's house."

Shing Mansion on Ji Ying Lane

Early in the morning, everyone in the Sheng family and a group of servants got busy. Today is a big day for the Duke of Qi to send a betrothal gift to your door. Giving a betrothal gift is the fourth of the six rituals, 'Na Zheng'.

The matchmaker and the man's parents and relatives (mainly the man's aunt) carry the dowry to the woman, similar to the modern "engagement" link.

Na Zheng is an important symbol of the establishment of a marriage. If the Na Zheng is successfully completed, it means that the marriage between the man and the woman is basically completed.

"Book of Rites · Shihun Li" Kong Yingda Shu: "The person who accepts the levy is also the one who accepts the money. The levy is also successful. First accept the money and then get married." The marriage contract is fully established through this ceremony.

The old lady Sheng, who usually seldom comes out, appeared in formal attire in the front hall, and found many relatives and friends, even the Hualan couple who hadn't seen each other for more than half a year, but when they saw Kang Wang next to their daughter-in-law, The smile on his face faded a little.

Complaining in her heart, Mrs. Wang's brain is broken again, and she even brought this disaster on!
A group of juniors stepped forward one after another to greet Mrs. Sheng, which made the old lady feel much better. It was rare that they didn't show the face of Mrs. Kang who was greeting him.

Taking advantage of Aunt Kang's departure, Sheng Hualan found her mother and asked in a low voice, "Mom, why did you invite Aunt Kang and uncle here?"

Wang said helplessly, "Your aunt is my own sister. She and your uncle came to the door. I can't drive them away, can I?"

(End of this chapter)