my brother-in-law is the prince

Chapter 271
"Consideration?"

Zhang Anshi looked at Chen Li suspiciously.

"What do you mean by deliberation?"

Chen Li said cautiously: "This matter...in fact...it has always happened. Even in the Hongwu period, although it was said that Buddhism was banned, the people in the world who believe in Mingjiao are still like crucian carp crossing the river."

He paused for a moment, and continued: "Since then, Your Majesty will be quiet, the world has become a mess, military disasters and natural disasters are everywhere, and the White Lotus Sect has become more and more violent, so the people believe in this White Lotus Sect even more... What's more, believers are not just ordinary people, even the eunuchs in the palace and local gentry, there are many believers... This matter...reported, His Majesty must be furious..."

Zhang Anshi nodded. He vaguely remembered that during the Yongle period, there was indeed the Bailian religious case, and a large-scale rebellion was launched. Even in the province of Shandong, it was easy to gather hundreds of thousands of people, and repelled the imperial court. Several raids.

In the middle and late Ming Dynasty, the rebellion of the White Lotus Sect intensified.

Zhang Anshi said: "Even if we don't report the information, do you think these people will keep their own way? Once they are organized, they will change sooner or later."

Chen Lidao: "It's just... this matter can't be eradicated at all. On the one hand, there are too many believers. Even if the imperial court raids, most of the congregants are ordinary people. Could it be that the people are also killed? As for this evil... But it's hard to get rid of..."

"Why is it hard to get rid of?" Zhang Anshi raised his eyebrows.

Chen Lidao: "It is said that the current leader of this sect claims to be the Buddha's father, and there is a woman who claims to be the Buddha's mother. Only their closest cadres know their whereabouts. In fact, they are humble, and they have been inquired about in private. But these people are very secretive, not only acting treacherously, but also very vigilant...humble...humble..."

Chen Li smiled wryly and said: "Humblely speaking, to be honest, we Jinyiwei may not be well informed about the news. Not to mention that we are in the light, they are in the dark, and they have a lot of eyeliner. Their eyes and ears are everywhere in this world. , it is even possible...in the Jinyiwei, there may not be no one...secretly believe in this religion, I am afraid that the Lord has just given the order here, and the other side has already heard the news."

Zhang Anshi understood what Chen Li meant.

Speaking of it, it is not necessarily the fault of those congregants.In this era, people live in the world, it is too bitter, this is a completely different concept from the so-called suffering of later generations, heavy corvee, two meals a day may not even be able to drink rice porridge, giving birth to a child, at any time May die young, a disease that is only a cold, may kill the man.

In this world, at least the vast majority of people, when they close their eyes and sleep, they may not be able to see the sun of tomorrow at any time.

Under such circumstances, it is quite normal to look for a spiritual sustenance.

But it is precisely that the teachings of the White Lotus Sect, which are easy to understand and have almost no precepts, immediately became popular.

Zhang Anshi said: "The backbone of the White Lotus Sect, what is the name of the White Lotus Taoist, do they exist in every town?"

"Yes." Chen Lidao: "In the countryside, Taoist Bailian almost monopolizes the power, and the father dies and the son succeeds; Fist stick."

Zhang Anshi pondered and said: "This matter... it is better to report it, if it is kept secret, it will change sooner or later."

Since Zhang Anshi planned this way, Chen Li said: "If the father-in-law plays the report, I will make some preparations, so that when your majesty orders to wipe out, our guards will not be caught off guard. It's just... I am thinking that these preparations are just If you can do it in secret, you can only confess to some mature and prudent confidantes, once the false hands are handed over to others, the matter will be difficult to talk about, and once the matter is leaked, it will be inappropriate."

Zhang Anshi nodded.

"Record this matter in the report."

On the next day, a eunuch came to summon Zhang Anshi to the palace for an audience.

Zhang Anshi knew that His Majesty should have read the report.

So he hurried into the palace, but Zhu Di seemed to be in a good mood. After meeting Zhang Anshi, he asked about the situation of the White Lotus Sect, and said, "Is it an exaggeration to say that there are so many believers? I haven't heard of this in recent years." What is the rumor about the White Lotus Sect."

Zhang Anshidao: "After learning about the current situation, I was also extremely shocked. I just felt that the matter was not trivial, so I reported it."

Zhu Di nodded and said: "When Emperor Taizu Gao is here, the White Lotus Sect will be banned, and I should follow the law of my ancestors..."

Zhu Di paused for a moment, then looked at Yi Shiha: "Decree to all ministries, especially the Ministry of Punishment, to the Chief Envoys and the Criminal Division, ordering them to quickly arrest the so-called Taoist Bailian from all over the place, and at the same time... to arrest that The so-called Buddha father and Buddha mother, after being captured, they will be deported to the capital immediately."

Yi Shiha listened, and said: "Your maid obeys the order."

Zhu Di didn't seem to take this matter too seriously.

This is actually understandable, but it's just a trick to fool the people in the countryside to swindle money. There are so many such sects and Taoism, and Zhu Di knows a lot.

Then Zhu Di looked at Zhang Anshi with a smile and said, "You already know the matter, the queen is pregnant."

Zhang Anshi smiled and said, "Congratulations, Your Majesty."

Zhu Di pressed his hand, and said: "What congratulations are there, I am in my prime, and my mother-in-law is pregnant, shouldn't it be right?"

Although he said this, he looked proud. He had understood the word "pretending to be forceful", and he was old enough, so he couldn't help being embarrassed.

What Zhang Anshi wanted to say, Zhu Di waved his hand: "I know what you want to say, damn it, don't you mean that I will grow old and strong? Well, there is no need to say. You reported the Bailian teaching case, very good, go to your business Well, now you are both the co-prefect of Nanzhen Fusi and the magistrate, so it is very important to rule the people."

Zhang Anshi had no choice but to say: "The minister will leave."

Zhang Anshi left.

Yishiha was still standing there, looking at Zhu Di with a smile on his face.

Zhu Di said: "Didn't I teach you to pass the decree?"

Yi Shiha then said: "Your Majesty, Dongchang has been established for two years. In the past two years, it has recruited a lot of good hands. This time, it is better to let Dongchang do it to capture the remnants of the White Lotus Sect. The envoys, as well as the punishment divisions in various places, are in charge of Taoist Bailian, servants and maidservants in the local area...here...to teach Dongchang to arrest the leader."

Zhu Di smiled, seeing Yishiha's eagerness to try, he didn't hesitate much, and said, "Yes."

Yishiha then said cheerfully: "My servant, thank you Your Majesty."

The next day, the residence newspaper began to publish the sea arrest documents of the Ministry of Punishment.

Immediately, letters were dispatched to various provinces.

At the same time, the Dongchang Fanzi began to mobilize.

Naturally, this is just a small action for the court.

It's just that His Majesty has decreed that all provinces, prefectures and counties in the world will naturally start to clean up.

Zhang Anshi saw that the momentum was not small, and his thoughts at this time were on the top of the Taiping Mansion.

He needs to draw up a charter to abolish medical households, artisan households, and military households, and list them all as civilian households. In addition, there are some tax reforms.

The former is to ensure the flow of population, while the latter is to ensure financial resources.

Emperor Taizu Gao was too rough in formulating taxes, of course... This is no wonder Emperor Gao, the Yuan Dynasty was more brutal than the Ming Dynasty.People play the system of taxpayers, that is, directly distribute taxes to the local gentry and let them act as taxpayers. The Mongols don’t care how you raise the tax. Give it to me and nothing else.

Because of this, the entire fiscal and taxation system of the imperial court is simply a mess!When the Ming Dynasty was established, there was no decent experience in taxation. In the end, Zhu Yuanzhang slapped his head and directly used the simplest agricultural tax and tax in kind to solve the problem. The money of the court was mainly supplemented by salt and iron.

It can be said that in the face of such a rough tax system, Zhang Anshi was shocked that Daming could persist for more than 200 years, which is considered a miracle.

After the new year, not long after, it will be spring, but there is still a bit of chill.

A specific charter was finally drafted under Zhang Anshi's drafting.

However, after the first draft was released, it could not be implemented immediately. Instead, Zhang Anshi began to call some people to discuss it.

And at this moment, in Qixia's papermaking workshop, three people were as anxious as ants on a hot pot, facing the creditors rushing forward one by one, wanting to cry without tears.

"When will I pay for my cotton money? I was willing to supply cotton to you at the beginning because of the goodwill of your Qixia Commercial Bank. How could I know...you are still procrastinating." At this time, a merchant Domineeringly questioned the three people in front of him.

A few craftsmen and a dozen apprentices also clamored, "When will the wages be paid? It has been two months without wages. Three shopkeepers, please be kind. If we have no wages, teach us what to eat and drink." ?”

"My mother-in-law is sick, and I have no money to take it back... woo woo..."

"If you don't get paid today, you can never go out."

"Yep."

The three people surrounded in the center were dumbfounded.

These three people were the three shopkeepers who were arranged by Zhang Anshi to come to this paper workshop more than a month ago, Zhang Youcheng, Kuang Ye, and Wang Wenlue.

The three of them were ashamed to the extreme at this time. They originally thought that running a workshop was just a matter of hand.

What's more, all of them are Jinshi, and they have been officials in the court, and they are well-informed.

After entering the workshop, they saw that most of the paper produced in this workshop was inferior paper, almost straw and wheat straw were used to make straw paper, which was extremely inferior, so the three of them decided to change the course without hesitation.

This is actually understandable, this kind of paper is extremely inferior, what's the use of asking for it?

If you want to make it, make good paper!
So after the three of them got together, they started looking for people to buy cotton, and hired another master to teach how to make good paper. They even felt that it was not enough, so they fired several craftsmen, but recruited some more skilled paper craftsmen. .

In this way, they feel that as long as this high-quality paper is made, they can make a lot of money.

But who would have thought that in just over a month, this paper-making workshop would become unsustainable.

The quality of the paper has improved, but the cost has increased even more. The price is dozens of times that of the original inferior paper, but it is the same price, but it cannot compete with those high-quality rice paper. Buy paper, but what you can sell is limited.

As a result, the cotton merchants, craftsmen, and apprentices couldn't take it anymore, and they all begged for it, just two words...give money.

But at this time, they looked at the books and realized that there was no money in the books.

Now being stuck here, Kuang Ye repeatedly said: "Don't worry, everyone, we are trustworthy, no matter what... we will definitely pay back the money we owe."

"Then bring it now."

Kuang Ye's face was blue and red, and he was ashamed. He just felt that he had never experienced such a setback in his life.

Now surrounded by a group of businessmen and craftsmen who are usually looked down upon, it is useless to let him talk dry.

A penny is hard for a hero, and he wants to die again at this moment.

There was even an apprentice who fell down on his knees with a thud, and howled, "You three shopkeepers, please be kind, the family really can't open the pot... just wait for the wages to be taken back to support the family. If the three shopkeepers don't pay the wages , the little ones... the whole family will starve to death."

If it was just being scolded by others, it would be fine, but the apprentice knelt down and said such heart-wrenching words, the three of them wished they could find a crack in the ground and sneak in.

Wang Wenlue's eyes turned red, and he also cried. He didn't expect that he was so useless.

Until now, he had thought that it would be easy to grasp, but no matter what, he never imagined that it would turn out like this in the end.

What's the problem?
Being a shopkeeper here already made him feel ashamed, but now... even a mere shopkeeper failed in this way, which made him even more ashamed.

"Don't worry..." Zhang Youcheng gritted his teeth and said, "We have to raise this money no matter what, the big deal... I'll teach my family to sell fields and land, but... please give me a little time no matter what. Money also takes time."

But the merchants who supplied the goods still had craftsmen and apprentices, so where would they dare to leave?I was afraid that the three of them would run away as soon as I went back.Selling fields and land may be just empty talk.

Just when the noise was endless, a chubby figure suddenly came in, and the man smiled and said: "The paper-making workshop is a subsidiary of Qixia Commercial Bank. If he loses money here, the commercial bank will naturally handle it. I will decide this matter." , go to the business store to get the money later."

Everyone looked, but it was Zhu Jin who came in with a smile on his face.

He went to the table, took the pen and ink, wrote a handwriting hastily, and then handed it to the merchant: "You take my Zhu's handwriting and go to the cashier's room of the commercial company, and you can get your money."

The merchant looked at the warrant in surprise, and then he respected him: "But Mr. Zhu?"

Zhu Jin smiled and said, "Exactly."

The merchant immediately took away the handwriting, and said in embarrassment: "I'm really ashamed... With Mr. Zhu's words, even if I don't write this handwriting, I can give it a few months."

"There's no need for grace, go get it now, and those who receive wages, go now too." Zhu Jin said.

The merchants, craftsmen, and apprentices left with gratitude.

Zhu Jin glanced at the three stunned people, but hurried out without saying a word, and immediately invited someone in.

This person is Zhang Anshi, Zhang Anshi rushed over after getting the report, looked at the three embarrassed guys, smiled and said: "Paper Mill, is it broken?"

Zhang Youcheng, Kuang Ye, and Wang Wenlue only looked at the toes of their own shoes, not daring to look directly into Zhang Anshi's eyes.

Zhang Anshi sighed first, before saying: "At first I thought that you could go on for a year and a half, but who knew... it's only been more than a month..."

Saying that, he shook his head.

Sin ah.

However, Zhang Anshi was still calm, and continued: "Don't be ashamed, now is not the time to be ashamed."

Zhang Anshi found a chair, sat down with his feet up, and continued to look at the three people: "Let me ask you, did you find the problem?"

Zhang Youcheng finally sighed and said: "When the students came, most of the paper produced here was inferior...so I discussed with the two brothers and decided to upgrade the paper..."

Zhang Anshi suddenly smiled: "Do you know why this workshop produces inferior paper?"

As soon as these words came out, although the three of them did not dare to raise their heads, they all raised their ears.

To be honest, they still don't know how they died.

Zhang Anshi continued: "I have no shortage of excellent paper in Ming Dynasty. From rice paper to flower paper, pink paper, porcelain green paper to rib paper, all of them are high-quality products. These papers have long been famous and praised by others. Naturally, Don't worry about sales."

Zhang Anshi paused, stood up, and said again: "If you want to make good paper, you can't look down on these inferior papers. It's understandable. But... if you make good paper, can you compete with them?"

Zhang Youcheng was taken aback, if he said that before, he would not listen to a word of Zhang Anshi's words, but now, he is finally willing to listen to Zhang Anshi's words seriously.

At this time, he was puzzled and said: "But bad paper..."

But Zhang Anshi interrupted him and said: "In business, there is actually no difference between good and bad. No matter how good the paper is, they are all for sale. You only see the brilliance of the best paper, but you don't know it. ...In fact, this track, or channel, has long been occupied by people. They are famous, have better quality, and even have a lower cost because of a large number of skilled craftsmen. Why do you compete with them?"

"But low-grade paper is different. The reason why this workshop has been prosperous in the past is because it targets a large number of people who cannot afford high-quality paper, and thanks to Qixia in the past two years, many schools have sprung up. Scholars, whose family is not well-off, consume a lot of paper because of their studies, so...this kind of inferior paper has become their demand. But you have changed the course rashly, can this paper workshop not go bankrupt?"

After hearing this, the three of them seemed to have an epiphany.

What is a smart person? A smart person has a strong understanding, and others can understand it at a glance.

If the brain is not smart enough, it is impossible to pass five levels and kill six generals to be named on the gold list.

When Kuang Ye got serious, he said honestly, "Since that's the case... it seems that we were wrong."

"Of course you were wrong." Zhang Anshi said, "Business is so simple. Do you know why you are so confused?"

There is no one in the world who is more taught than a blood loss.

It's like, every wave of leeks, before losing the principal, often says that this is just a technical adjustment, and the lesson will not be truly learned until the money is lost.

Kuang Ye, Wang Wenlue, and Zhang Youcheng looked at Zhang Anshi, changed their previous attitude, and now seemed to be listening attentively.

Zhang Anshi said: "This is because you have been officials for too long. Being an official in the court can certainly increase your knowledge. Anyway, when you issue an order, someone will execute it yourself! As for whether the execution is good or not, you don't have to bear the responsibility." As a result, if you suffer, it is the court and the people who suffer.”

"That's why you think highly of yourself. You only have the so-called sage books and temples in your eyes. You can do business, but that's not the case. When you were in charge of this paper-making workshop, didn't you calm down and get to know your customers? You may even disdain It is better to understand who you are selling your products to and what kind of pricing they will accept. Besides, you ignore costs and don’t want to calm down to study costs, thinking that as long as you pat your head, you can All in one go.”

"Actually, do you think that being an official and doing business are two different things? Let me ask you, which sages and famous ministers in the past dynasties have not been able to understand the needs of the people? Didn't they all understand the needs of the soldiers and the people first, and then continue to Adjust your own government orders, and then appoint some people who can carry out your own will to carry out good government orders?"

"So in my opinion, doing anything, whether it's an official or a business, is nothing more than two things. One is to understand the people's sentiments, and the other is to select and employ people. But you see...you in this workshop , You are self-willed, and it’s no wonder you don’t stumble! A workshop can’t be operated, and you resign from the official position, it is indeed a blessing for the soldiers and civilians.”

These words made the three of them extremely ashamed, and even felt ashamed.But after thinking about it carefully, it is indeed the case. From the very beginning, the three of them did not take this business seriously, thinking that they must be handy...

Kuang Ye sighed and said, "Hey, I just laughed... these accounts... I will find a way..."

Zhang Anshi couldn't help laughing and said, "Are you going to sell the pot and sell the iron to pay back the debt?"

Kuang Ye was obviously serious after all, gritted his teeth and said, "Yes."

On the contrary, Wang Wenlue said: "The students should fill in the bills. Brother Kuang's family is not well-off. He and his father depend on each other... The students have a little money..."

Zhang Youcheng also said: "The students will also find a way."

Zhang Anshi said: "The three of you owe me something, but you don't have to rush to pay it back. Besides, I will lend you another 1000 taels of silver. You can restore this paper-making workshop and continue to operate it."

Continue to operate?

The three of Zhang Youcheng looked at each other.

Zhang Anshi smiled and said, "How is it? Scared?"

Zhang Youcheng said hesitantly: "It's just... many craftsmen and apprentices, I'm afraid they won't come here to work in the future."

Zhang Anshidao: "Many people who operate with small capitals are not only their own bosses and shopkeepers, they are even responsible for accounting and even production. They are capable. The three of you are all dragons and phoenixes. Why can't you do it? What's more, some craftsmen and apprentices refused to come because you owed their wages, and now they have finally paid their wages, although they are afraid of you, but if you sincerely come to invite them, there will always be some people who are willing to come."

As Zhang Anshi said it, he was happy at the same time.

He hurriedly put on a sullen face, teaching himself not to laugh out loud. To be honest, laughing out loud at this time felt a bit like jumping on a graveyard.

Zhang Anshi said: "Look, you usually have a lot of great principles, but why do you forget these great principles when you really have to do something, isn't there a sentence?"

Zhang Anshi pondered and said: "If you persevere, you will not break the rotten wood; if you persevere, you can carve gold and stone."

Zhang Youcheng took a deep breath, gritted his teeth, and said, "What Duke Wei said is true, we know what to do."

Zhang Anshi stood up, and said: "It's so good, I hope you will continue to work, people live in this world, and they must accomplish one thing."

After all, Zhang Anshi said: "Okay, let's bid farewell. The heads of the three of you should continue to be stored in your heads first. Think carefully about how to do something well."

Zhang Anshi left.

The three people left fell into deathly silence.

Kuang Ye suddenly said: "I've made up my mind, this papermaking workshop must continue."

Zhang Youcheng said: "What Brother Kuang Xian said is true, among the three of us, I am the oldest, let's first think about how to save money, how about this, I will be in charge of going out and finding someone to sell."

Kuang Ye said: "Leave the accountant to me. Without the accountant, you can save some expenses."

Wang Wen thought for a while: "I will learn from the craftsman and see if I can help. Later, we will go to visit several craftsmen's homes and see who is willing to come back. Brother Zhang, since you are in charge of going out to sell , Please also think of a way to ask people who buy paper what they like."

Zhang Youcheng said: "Not only do you want to inquire about your preferences, but you also have to go to various paper shops to have a look... Anyway, if you lose again this time, you will really lose face."

Kuang Ye suddenly said: "Why...why did Zhang An Shi just help us?"

As soon as this remark came out, the three of them fell into silence again.

At first they were arranged by Zhang Anshi to run the workshop. They thought it was Zhang Anshi deliberately humiliating himself. After all, it is hard to say that a dignified Jinshi, a former court official, came to do business.

My former classmates, same year, and colleagues, although they have not dealt with each other again, they also know... If they know, they will definitely laugh at them.

But now that I think about it carefully, I have suffered all the humiliation and supercilious looks. Logically speaking, Zhang Anshi should have made trouble, but Zhang Anshi appeared at the most critical moment and gave them another chance to turn around.

After pondering for a moment, Zhang Youcheng said: "No matter what, we have to fight for one breath."

"Um……"

Zhang Anshi happily returned to Fusi, Nanzhen. Along the way, he said to Zhu Jin with a smile, "Did you see that? Those three idiots brought down my paper-making workshop in just over a month..."

Zhu Jindao: "My lord is so kind-hearted that he even let them manage it."

Zhang Anshi said: "Failure is the mother of success. That is to say, success is the result of failure. They are already the most intelligent scholar-bureaucrats in the world. I just want to see if such people use their talents Whether it can be used elsewhere.”

When they arrived at the gate of Nanzhen Fusi, they saw Chen Li waiting anxiously at the gate. When Zhang Anshi and Zhu Jin came with a team of guards, they hurried forward: "My lord, my lord... something serious happened, Dongchang ...something has happened..."

Chen Li looked horrified, and continued: "The East Factory was attacked and dozens of people died. Not only that, Hunan's Chief Political Officer came to report, Hunan's Criminal Division was also attacked, and more than 90 officials died... "

(End of this chapter)