my brother-in-law is the prince

Chapter 148 Cornucopia

After hearing this, Zhu Di looked at Yishi and asked, "What?"

Yi Shiha said: "Many people heard that His Majesty brought all the officials to the library, and also heard that Bachelor Xie Jin was going to stay there for a few days. Many people... were moved by the wind..."

After a pause, Yi Shiha continued: "Not only in this city of Nanjing, but also in nearby prefectures and counties, people have heard the news."

"Also... I also heard that there are many strange books in it, which can cure the plague. Anyone who can read the characters wants to read it."

Although there are many nerds with broken brains in this world.

But in this land, the vast majority of people are still practical.

No matter how much people despise miscellaneous studies, they will never underestimate this book on epidemic prevention that can save countless lives.

In fact, many scholars have the habit of reading medical books, and many of them like to prescribe medicine for themselves. Of course... there are quite a few people who have cured themselves to death.

Now that there is such a strange book in the library, isn't it a huge treasure?

You can get in with a few pennies, and the price can be said to be extremely low.

Moreover, I heard that the environment is still very good, and the culture is very strong, so many famous Confucian scholars are looking for books there without sleep or food.

In addition, for people of this era, books themselves are like treasures, and some people have even exaggeratedly said that they have a collection of [-] books.

What is the concept of a collection of [-] books?
I'm afraid the royal collection can't compare.

So, people with all kinds of thoughts rushed forward.

At this time, if there is anything else to say, of course I will join in the fun.

Yi Shiha knew His Majesty's thoughts and valued this library very much.

What's more, His Majesty just went there yesterday, and there was such a big commotion today, so I just came to ask for credit.

So he said vividly: "There are people everywhere, and the pier is blocked, but... I heard... Cheng Enbo's newly expanded second library area has also taken this opportunity to open today. I heard that there are... ...a lot of novelties."

The more Zhu Di heard the light in his eyes became brighter, he couldn't help but said: "Why didn't he tell me about these things before?"

Yishiha smiled and said: "Once... the servant also asked this question."

With his hands behind his back, Zhu Di raised his head and said, "What did he say?"

Yishiha carefully looked at Zhu Di's expression, and said: "Cheng Enbo said, it's better for your Majesty not to know about the business."

This can be said to be daring, it's good not to know, isn't this deceiving the king?

Seeing Yi Shiha continued: "Your Majesty, this Cheng Anbo is considering for His Majesty, who is Your Majesty, how can he have anything to do with business? This is all done by... the people below."

Zhu Di hummed, obviously satisfied, and said with a smile: "This kid, he's thoughtful, but I'm not afraid to say that I didn't oppress the people, didn't increase taxes, but made up for the lack of internal funds, who dares to talk nonsense ?”

"Furthermore, the money I took out from the internal treasury has eased the burden on the treasury. If anyone dares to use this to criticize, it is likely to be someone who is planning to do something wrong, and he must be a remnant of the Northern Yuan Dynasty."

Yi Shiha said: "Your Majesty said so."

But at this time, Zhu Di heard that there were many novel things, and he was still interested, so he said: "This kid is like me, he dares to think and dare to do it, he is really a talent, you... you go and find out for me yourself Tell me the truth."

Yishiha didn't dare to be negligent, and immediately said: "Your maidservant, let's go now."

Seeing Yi Shiha's hasty resignation, Zhu Di couldn't help but be amused: "Damn...new deal...scholars have a lot of money, tsk tsk..."

Seeing Zhu Di's happy look, Empress Xu couldn't help but smiled and said: "Your Majesty, people outside say that Zhang Anshi acts recklessly, but my concubine looks at him, and feels that he is safe and considerate."

"It's natural." Zhu Di said with a bit of pride and complacency: "In the past, he was notorious because he didn't meet me, but now that he met me, I'll teach him a little bit, isn't it safe?"

After all, he straightened his back: "As for his marriage, let's wait a little longer. It's not the time to get married yet. When this man gets married, he is Na Cai and asking for his name. There are also Najib and Nazheng. , Please date, welcome in person, after the six wedding ceremonies, you finally got married, and you still need to bring the bride back to Ning, not to mention such cumbersome things as meeting uncles and aunts and temples. You don’t know how much time this will take. How much money does he make a day?"

Empress Xu nodded, and then said: "In short, the marriage is settled. As long as it is settled, the concubine is not in a hurry. This child Jingyi has a strong temperament, and you know it."

Zhu Di nodded: "Relax, I know it well."

As he spoke, he frowned, squinted his eyes at the same time, looked around, and said in his mouth: "I always feel... that I have come to the palace, and there are always people watching me in this palace..."

Empress Xu smiled sweetly: "Your Majesty is too worried."

Zhu Di said: "It's not good to say, damn it, it seems like there are thieves in this big house."

Although he scolded, Zhu Di didn't continue to ask questions. He still needed to call Qiu Fu and others to continue discussing Annan's military affairs, so he said goodbye to Queen Xu and turned around to get busy.

…………

At this moment in Qixia, which is already lively, it is not an exaggeration to say that it is empty.

This Jiangnan has always been rich and prosperous, with many scholars.

After the news spread like wildfire, many people were moved.

In fact, this is also understandable. On the one hand, everyone does know the value of libraries.

On the other hand, that Li Wensheng cured the plague after reading only one book.

He is just a mere scholar, and now... Shang Da Tian Ting, he thinks that the imperial court will reward him in the near future.

What's more, His Majesty and all the officials have been here, and they are full of praise.

Therefore, not only scholars in Nanjing City, but also nearby Zhenjiang and other places, who heard the news, wanted to take a look and take a tour.

After several months of repairs, several newly built main buildings and auxiliary buildings of this library have also been erected and completely renovated.

Not only that, the blue brick and stone road in front of the door is also paved all the way to the pier, even if it rains, there is no trouble of getting muddy.

Along the road, many trees were planted, and there were also special flower gardens, all of which were specially hired to take care of them, and they were pruned every now and then.

Every other section of the road, there is a gazebo or a fake stone, which is equivalent to moving the rockery pavilions in the mansions of many big families to both sides of the road.

Everyone who came here clicked their tongues with surprise on their faces.

Not only that, there are some pavements along the way.

These shops are not as disorganized as other places, they seem to have been specially planned, and most of them sell supplies for scholars.

There is even a newsstand dedicated to selling Dibao.

It was early in the morning, not long after Chuyang came out.

Then special personnel organized and began to clean up the road, no matter whether it was fallen leaves or other sundries, all must not appear on the road, and it was spotless.

There was a light rain today, and the drizzle fell on the ground, soaking the flowers, plants and trees beside the road, and the air was particularly fresh.

Many scholars stepped into it and couldn't help feeling refreshed.

This is definitely a big deal, God knows how much money was spent.

Those scholars with rich families just feel that this place is the same as their own home. They can even see a pond not far away, and there are lotus leaves in the pond. The silk lotus is fragrant.

There is a trestle bridge on the pond, which can be passed to a pavilion in the middle of the lake for people to rest. At this time, it can be seen that there are groups of people watching the scenery on the pavilion.

As for scholars who can only be regarded as well-to-do families, they come here, but it is a different scene. They are like Grandma Liu who has entered the Grand View Garden.

The most important thing is... There is no money here, and it is completely open.

There is no need to spend a penny for such a large garden.

This is unthinkable in this day and age.

It is said that there are still several roads leading to Qixia. There are many landscapes in Qixia Mountain, and mountain roads and trestle bridges have been built. The scenery there is even better.

"I heard that it cost tens of thousands of taels of silver."

"Tsk tsk..."

In fact, the gardens of the Ming Dynasty were mature long ago, but only the very rich could buy them in their mansions.

But it's really unimaginable that it's as grand as this place, and it's willing to pay for it.

Yishiha came to Qixia, and then hurried to the library, but saw that there were people everywhere, everyone with different accents, but fortunately, most of them were scholars, but no one made any noise, people poured into the library, one by one excited endlessly.

There is also a special sign beside the road to guide people to the new building, and a sign is also hung: "Today's Minglun Hall activity, select ten poems."

Sure enough, everyone looked at the sign and went to the building of Minglun Hall.

This Minglun hall is newly built and occupies a large area, but it is already crowded with people.

At this time, someone began to read the selected poems.

After finishing the reading, the selected ten poems began to be hung here, and many scholars shook their heads to taste them. Some people said: "This poem is quite neat in antithesis, but the charm is not good. This one is also..."

"Yeah, is this the one selected?"

"It was written by Liu Juren from Nanjing City. I have met this person before, but I didn't expect his poem to be chosen."

Everyone found that not only the poems were posted here, but the authors of the poems were also written on it.

This inevitably makes people jealous.

What do scholars want, isn't it just a reputation?Besides being an official, who doesn't want to be a talented person?
What's more, the quality of the selected poems can only be said to be above average.

"I heard that these are poems collected a few days ago. At that time, not many people paid attention to them, and there were not many people who wanted to submit poems. Therefore, the selected poems include both excellent works and some mediocre ones. I also heard that ten poems are selected every month. If a poem is selected, not only will the poem be donated, but the poem will also be hung in the library. And every year the library will compile a poem book, and all the poems selected that year will be included in it."

"Really?" Someone started to get excited.

If my poem manuscript can be selected, wouldn't it be famous all over the world?

After this month, how many people flowed, and they were all scholars!

What's more, when a book of poems is published in the future, the name of this article can be spread longer and farther.

Although making poetry is only a means of entertainment for scholars, it is not considered a proper way, but it cannot be prevented from becoming famous, and it may even go down in history. This attraction is not small.

Many people have developed a great interest, and began to search their stomachs.

"I heard that there are not only poems, but also stereotypes. Every month, this library will come up with questions, and then let people contribute. At that time, ten excellent works will be selected, which is the same as poetry. There... There is also an arithmetic competition, every month Once, if you can rank among the best, there will be a lot of rewards."

Yi Shiha, who was listening to the discussion and conversation, couldn't help but think, what is this An Shi up to?
But I saw many scholars listening to other people's conversations, and they were all dancing and dancing, very happy.

How does an eunuch like Yi Shiha know that the essence of all kinds of competitions is to mobilize the emotions of scholars. It is no longer just that the library is open to scholars alone, but it has become an interaction between each other.

In this way, everyone is more willing to participate, and the participants are looking forward to being selected every day. The selected people have actually become the library's signboard, a walking advertisement.

Once this kind of interaction is formed, the library is not just a library, but an information center for readers.

And it also dominates the public opinion of scholars. Once you can't pay attention to the library's trends at any time, it means that you can't integrate into the circle of scholars, and you will inevitably be rejected by others.

Yi Shiha only felt that...everything here is a waste of money, and the cost of money is like running water.

Just to earn a few pennies from these scholars, this... is a real loss of capital.

He felt sorry for His Majesty.

Beside the road, another scholar murmured, "There is a large lecture hall over there. If a great Confucian is hired to teach every day, today the great Confucian Li Xiyan is actually teaching in person."

"Master?"

"nature."

"Oh, I have to listen to this."

"I heard that only 500 people can go, and you need to register one day in advance. I'm afraid we will miss it today."

"It's a pity, it's a pity..."

"Tomorrow there will be more. It is said that it will be the Guozijian offering wine. Oh, the day after tomorrow will be Xie Jin...the great scholar of Wenyuan Pavilion..."

All of a sudden, the crowd boiled.

This is really something that most people would never dare to think about in their lifetime.

It is not right to invite people to give lectures every day. It is not right to simply say that it is biased. Although Li Xiyan has written a few books recently, many scholars feel that they are a bit deviant.

But at least the library is fair, please understand Jin too!
In this way, you won't be able to pick anything out. Anyway, no matter who here, it is impossible for everyone to attend a class of his.

"Does this lecture cost money?"

"I haven't heard of it."

"My God... there is such a good thing in the world?"

"Yeah, I also find it incredible."

The more Yishiha heard it, the more he felt it was unbelievable. When he saw these scholars, each of them seemed to be crazy, as if this place...was like a fairyland on earth in their minds, he couldn't help smiling wryly.

Just walking around like this along the way, Yi Shiha's heart is getting more and more disappointed.

This place, it doesn't make money.

It's not bad if you don't lose money.

Seeing the crowds here, Yi Shiha felt that there might be no less than 3 people here.

And there are still many who have not come in.

This is not even a place to step down.

He didn't have the mood to stay any longer, and hurried out before letting out a long breath.

But I found that it was not only scholars who came here, but also many merchants in common clothes.

Merchants can only wear common clothes, not silk, but they have silver. They heard that there are many talents here, and many of them come to join in the fun.

Of course, even merchants are also fashionable to dress up in a Lunjin Confucian shirt.

Their status is low, but precisely because of their low status, it is inevitable that they want to be arty.

Therefore, many people come here, the goal is not the books here, but the readers.

Many scholars are well-known, their status is not low, and they may even become officials through the imperial examination in the future. If they deal with each other in advance, there will be a lot of benefits in the future.

Yi Shiha left the library out of breath, still feeling a little unhappy.

They only look at spending money, not earning money.

With a gloomy mood, he walked forward and looked around, but he saw that the library was not far away, and there were many people surrounded.

There was even the sound of firecrackers.

Yi Shiha was taken aback for a moment, and walked faster, walking over in a hurry, and saw that many people stopped here, and he also surrounded him.

After finally squeezing in, they saw a signboard with a big promise hanging on it, writing... four characters of Qixia Academy.

What kind of trick is this...?
He didn't understand for a while, is this school palace a school?
Libraries cost money, and so do schools.

Something is wrong with this piece of Anshi recently, why are you only thinking about doing good deeds?

He sighed sullenly in his heart, seeing that it was getting late, he was in a hurry to return to the palace, so he hurried back to the palace.

It's just that the people who stayed here refused to leave, and they were still talking about it.

"Is it such a small house? It's just a small hall, a study, plus two bedrooms, and a woodshed, and it costs 1000 taels of silver? Why don't you go and grab it!"

"The places in Nanjing near the inner city are only at this price. Isn't this a joke?"

"I think I'm crazy about money."

"It's quite close to the library. When you go out, you will find this garden..."

Many people are still discussing, some shook their heads, some sighed, and some were very interested.

Zhu Jin came out and said with a smile: "Don't miss it. Qixia is a small place. It's only a few steps away from this library. If you buy 1000 taels of silver, you won't be at a loss if you buy it, and you won't be fooled if you buy it. Ladies and gentlemen, do you know , How much money does it cost to live in Qixia's inn for a month? At least seven or eight taels of silver, after this year, it is close to a hundred taels of silver, why?"

He paused, then continued with a high air: "It's not that many people have to go to the library to study! There is no limit to learning, and living in Qixia, this library is like your home. I dare to ask you... How is your home?" Are there so many books? It’s not easy to come here from Nanjing City, not to mention, there are many from other states and counties, not to mention the long journey, what should I do if I encounter bad people during the round trip?”

"But living here is different. You can study here with peace of mind, and you can be neighbors with great scholars here! Isn't there a saying that you can say? There is no messy ears, no hard work in the case, and there is a sense of humor in talking and laughing." Hongru, there is nothing in vain. Don't look at this house as expensive, but it is actually sold at a loss."

He yelled vigorously, and said again: "To tell you the truth, Li Xiyan and Hu Yan have already purchased it here..."

he yelled hysterically.

However, there were many people watching, but none of them really stood out.

All of a sudden, Zhu Jin became furious.

Finally, one person stood up timidly and said, "1000 taels, I don't have so much silver with me."

When Zhu Jin heard this, he immediately cheered up, and said kindly: "Come, come, dare to ask your name."

The man said: "My surname is Zhang, and my name is Wenfu."

Zhu Jin said: "Zhang Wenfu has a good name and a good name. In fact, there is no need to pay 1000 taels of silver immediately. Here in our school, we can deposit dozens of taels first, and then go to raise money to buy and sell later. Not only that, if there is not enough money, we can It doesn't matter, we are here in cooperation with the bank, allowing loans. The interest on the loan is low, the interest is only 800% per year, borrow 24 taels, and pay it back slowly every month, the interest is only 20 taels of silver. If it is 50 years, Every year, it’s only about [-] taels of silver, as long as this house is used to pay for it.”

This man named Zhang Wenfu has a very wealthy family background, he is a scholar after all.

It can be said that he spends all his time in the library these days, but he always feels that it is very inconvenient. On the one hand, there are too many people staying in the inn, the people in the inn are too noisy, and the price of the inn is not cheap. Not one person, but two servants and a maidservant.

But if he stayed in Nanjing City, it would take more than an hour to go back and forth from Nanjing City to the library in a day, and it would take a lot of work. His family is a big family in Hangzhou, and a thousand taels of silver is nothing. As long as one book is repaired, the family can always find a way to send money.

It's just that there is no gap for scholars to stay in their hometowns to study. Only the capital city is convenient for both exams and studies.

After thinking about it, it's only a thousand taels of silver, and it's nothing special to give away a house anyway.

Hearing the interest rate, Zhang Wenfu was taken aback, and then said: "Only three per cent?"

"Naturally." Zhu Jin said with a smile.

This three per cent interest is impossible to put in any bank. In fact, nine times out of thirteen returns are considered honest, and the donkey rolls even more ruthlessly.

People like Zhang Wenfu, whose family is rich, know the way of this place best.

So he hurriedly said: "Is it really three per cent? After one year, 800 taels is only 24 taels of silver interest, and you can still repay it for 20 years?"

Zhu Jin patted his chest and said: "The old man opened the door to do business, can he still lie to you?"

Zhang Wenfu thought to himself, you don't understand the market, don't you know what it's like to borrow money outside?

No one would have guessed that Zhang Wenfu didn't even hesitate, and said very proudly: "Then I will buy ten buildings. My family has a lot of people, and there are more than a dozen children."

All of a sudden, many scholars around here were in an uproar.

At first everyone was just watching the fun, but now they really saw that someone had been taken for a ride, and they suddenly boiled over.

Ten Buildings...

Isn't this guy a fool?

Many people can't help but be skeptical.

There were even whispers.

"Maybe they are in the same group. This is a lot of money. With this money, what's wrong with buying?"

"It's a pole, it's a pole."

"Let's wait and see how they act. Such merchants are really hateful. For the sake of money... they really don't want face."

After Zhang Wenfu finished speaking, he went directly to pay the deposit.

Of course...he is a rich boy, but he doesn't really have any idea about money.

Anyway, I don't feel distressed, after all, it's my parents' money.

On the spot, he directly asked his servants to take out the more than 200 taels of silver he brought with him.

"Okay, after a few days, you will pay the final payment. Oh, if you want to borrow money, you can go to the bank to go through the formalities."

Zhu Jin looked relieved.

After hearing this, Zhang Wenfu walked happily across the crowd.

He is still happy.

Many people laughed, only thinking that this piece of Wenfu was really stupid.

Even someone who recognized Zhang Wen's mansion beat his chest and stumbled after him to persuade him: "Brother Zhang, brother Zhang, you are so confused, such a small house is not in Nanjing City, this price... even if it is in Nanjing In the inner city, you can buy another house."

"But it's cheap." Zhang Wenfu didn't think too much about it, and said, "1000 taels of silver can be borrowed at 800 taels, and the interest rate is also low. You can buy a house with 200 taels of silver, and it only costs 50 taels a year."

His friend was so angry that he stomped his feet: "Brother Zhang, Brother Zhang, you...you...you are really too confused, such a bad businessman, you dare to trust him! Such a person... eats people without spit out bones, Have you met that merchant? This person's surname is Zhu... I have inquired about this person, this person belongs to Brothers Firm, do you know who this Brothers Firm is related to?"

Zhang Wenfu said: "It can't be Zhang Anshi and other black-hearted bastards who sell books to deceive people."

"Hey, you really guessed it right." The friend's body shook.

Zhang Wenfu: "..."

"Look, you are going to be fooled by Zhang again. Let me ask you, how much money did your family spend on buying the book by Zhang?"

Zhang Wenfu recalled those bad memories, and said painfully: "It's still cheap, it only cost 700 taels."

"Damn it." The man gritted his teeth and said, "I spent 100 taels, such a conscienceless thing."

Zhang Wenfu was also angry: "It turned out to be him, why didn't you say it earlier?"

"Hey..." The friend kindly reminded: "At that time, everyone was watching, and I was afraid that if I stood up, that minion surnamed Zhang would beat people. Listen to my advice, and return the house quickly."

Zhang Wenfu was silent for a while, and said: "No retreat, I will bring money tomorrow and order another ten houses."

The friend suddenly became very angry, stared at him and said: "Ah... this... you..."

Zhang Wenfu said: "That Zhang's books can be sold so expensively. Calculated in this way, every book I buy from him can be worth a house. He is so black-hearted and wicked, I think... I think... this house is only 1000 taels, so if you buy it at this time, you shouldn't suffer a loss."

"You... you... aren't you helping the evildoers?"

Zhang Wenfu calmed down, and said: "Anyway, I will be tricked by this kind of person, so I might as well think about it. Besides, my family has a little money. If I repair a letter, my father will send me some money."

After Zhang Wenfu finished speaking, he grinned, happy!

(End of this chapter)