my brother-in-law is the prince

When a report was delivered to Zhang Anshi.

Zhang Anshi looked at it carefully, his eyes flickered, and his face was completely confident.

With a smile on his lips, he said to Chen Li beside him: "It's about time, it's time for Chen Deng to speak up, so I can clean him up."

After Chen Li listened, he kept saying yes.

However, Zhang Anshi also appeared in Chen Deng's cell. Someone had bathed Chen Deng before.

Chen Deng put on fairly clean clothes, only the bloodstains on his face were clearly visible. Although he occasionally suffered from some wounds on his body, he still looked disdainful.

Unexpectedly, he didn't see any embarrassment, and it seemed that the heavy physical pain didn't clear away the arrogance in him.

In fact, Zhang Anshi also has to admire this person, it really is hard work!
Immediately, he ordered: "Go and get some food."

A school lieutenant hurried over.

Only then did Zhang Anshi say with a smile: "Mr. Chen has been doing well for the past two days."

Chen Deng looked at Zhang Anshi indifferently and said: "Now that things have come to an end, why do you have nothing to show your courtesy? Since Your Highness knows Chen's ambition, please don't continue to pretend."

Zhang Anshi said: "Although you and I are enemies, Chen Gongzhi's feeling is much higher than those who only know great principles, but are actually greedy for life and afraid of death, and only know about profit. Therefore, even if it is This king also admires it."

Chen Dengdao: "Scholars in the world, how many people do you know? I wait for the disciples of the sages to this day, and I will not be photographed by your lust. As for Chen, what is it?"

Zhang Anshi said: "No, Mr. Chen is a thousand times stronger than others."

Chen Deng only sneered, and then said slowly: "This is because Your Highness has never seen the real courage of scholars."

Zhang Anshi pondered for a moment, and said: "Then, Mr. Chen...do you think that there are many people with such courage as Mr. Chen? So... Mr. Chen's comrades will definitely succeed?"

Chen Deng said firmly: "This is inevitable."

He paused, but sighed, and said: "For thousands of years, the world has regarded Confucianism as the righteousness, and because of this, whoever practices the rule of benevolence and righteousness, the world can live and work in peace, just like today, Today’s new policies, tomorrow’s under the banner of reform, will eventually lead to disasters. Your Highness is too young... thinking that as long as you accumulate money, you can make the world stable, and you will know the benefits when there are troubles in the future.”

Zhang Anshidao: "The words of Mr. Chen are hard for me to agree with. In my opinion, people in this world are nothing more than profit-seeking. Those so-called sages, so-called gentry, and so-called scholars are angry because of It hinders their interests, so there are such drastic measures."

"This is what I admire about Mr. Chen. At least Mr. Chen believes that those articles about benevolence, righteousness and morality are not like other people. They just use the banner of these articles to make profits for themselves. Mr. Chen always said that Zhang was making money. But before the New Deal, where did the world's wealth go?"

Chen Dengdao: "Your Highness's words are really ridiculous. You and I have different ways, and we don't conspire with each other. It's just... Chen has something to say. Chen is determined to take justice. If His Highness knows himself, he doesn't have to be on Chen. What a waste of time."

Zhang Anshi laughed: "But this king still wants to try one last time."

Chen Deng turned his face away coldly, as if unwilling to continue talking.

Zhang Anshi said: "How about this, Mr. Chen might as well go out for a walk with Mr. Zhang. If Mr. Chen still firmly believes in his judgment after what he sees and hears, then... Mr. Zhang will fulfill your wish. I'll just give you a good time. But if Mr. Chen doesn't insist anymore, then why not..."

Chen Deng looked at him with sarcasm and said, "Does Chen still have a choice now?"

Zhang Anshi was not annoyed, and even said politely: "Then please fill your stomach first, Mr. Chen, and a carriage will come later."

Zhang Anshi smiled at him and walked out.

After half an hour, Chen Deng was picked up and got into the carriage.

…………

State government house.

Zhu Di was talking with Yang Rong and others at this time.

Zhu Di suddenly said, "Why hasn't Zhang Qing moved in the past two days?"

Yi Shiha then said: "My servant, please send someone to invite His Royal Highness Wuhu County King."

Not long after, an eunuch came in a hurry and said: "Your Majesty, His Royal Highness Wuhu County took Chen Deng to the Ma's boat."

After Zhu Di heard this, he frowned and said: "Then Chen Deng is against the party, he led this person rashly, what if there is a dangerous situation on the way? Ma's Shipping...I have a good impression...but the champion's business?"

Yi Shiha said: "Your Majesty, yes."

Zhu Di asked suspiciously, "Why did you suddenly go to the Ma's boat?"

Yi Shiha then said: "My servant heard that... this Ma Yu has had a close relationship with many gentry and scholars recently, and hangs out with them all day long. I think... he has some intentions."

Zhu Di nodded, and immediately said: "Zhang Qing must have his own ideas in what he does. I have been in Hezhou for a long time, and I will drive back to Beijing in the next few days. Why don't you... go to the boat shop and have a look."

Yishiha was also sensible, and immediately said: "Your maidservant, let's make arrangements."

Yang Rong, Hu Guang and the others looked at each other in blank dismay.

On the contrary, Yang Rong said: "Your Majesty...in Hezhou, many scholars and gentry have complaints about His Majesty and the King of Wuhu County..."

The implication is actually more obvious, it is not safe for His Majesty to go out!
But Zhu Di didn't seem to be thinking about it at this time, so he didn't hear the meaning, and even said bluntly: "What are you complaining about? It's just full of resentment!"

Yang Rong smiled and continued: "Since this Ma family has a lot of connections with many scholars, the body of His Majesty's daughter is still..."

At this moment, Zhu Di understood, and immediately snorted coldly and said: "In my life, I have only been afraid of those scholars who will use their mouths. How can I be afraid that they will invade me? Don't I know what they are? Zhang Qing If I can go, I can go too."

Yang Rong and others didn't dare to persuade them anymore.

Therefore, Zhang Anshi arrived at Ma's Firm, Ma Yu heard that Zhang Anshi had arrived, and immediately came out to greet him.

Zhang Anshi only said to him: "Arrange a quiet place."

Ma Yu immediately understood, and immediately said: "Yes."

Not long after, Zhang Anshi, Chen Deng, and Chen Li were seated in a side room near the Ma's business shop. Ma Yu poured tea in person, and did not ask Zhang Anshi anything else, as if he understood Zhang Anshi's intentions. Intention, after pouring tea, he has already left.

Not long after, someone came in a hurry and whispered a few words to Zhang Anshi.

Zhang Anshi frowned, suddenly stood up, and said to Chen Li: "Don't move, I'll pick you up."

After a while, Zhang Anshi led Zhu Di, Yang Rong and others.

Everyone was seated, Zhu Di looked around, but he didn't even look at Chen Deng, he just said to Zhang Anshi: "Why is Zhang Qing here?"

Zhang Anshi smiled wryly in his heart, and thought: I still want to ask Your Majesty.

Zhang Anshi replied: "Your Majesty, I have brought Chen Gong here to see the world."

Zhu Di ignored the so-called Mr. Chen, he wouldn't talk too much nonsense about the dead, he just said: "Then I also want to open my eyes and see your world. Why, what will happen to this Ma's firm? "

Zhang Anshi said: "Ma's Shipping Company is raising funds."

"Fundraising?" Zhu Di suddenly became a little interested, and he said with high interest: "How do you raise money?"

Zhang Anshi said: "Your Majesty, wait a moment."

Here is only a wall away from the pavement, and the movement next door can be heard clearly.

There is also a small window facing the shop. People passing by in the shop will not pay attention to the movement in the ear room, but if the people in the ear room pay attention, they can observe what is happening in the shop.

At this time, Chen Deng was still sitting upright, with his eyes slightly closed, as if resting his mind, and seemed to turn a deaf ear to what was happening outside.

But at this moment, there was movement next door.

However, many scholars and gentry-like people came in, as if they were looking for something.

Many people came in and asked, where is Ma Dong's house?

The shopkeeper in the store is in charge of entertaining, only saying that the owner has something to do and can't come out to greet him.

As a result, everyone asked about the shares.

Immediately afterwards, the treasurer patiently explained that the shipping company was divided into millions of shares and then sold. The future income and dividends will be distributed according to the annual profit and the number of shares in hand.

In fact, all these are just a click away.

Many people were discussing in low voices, some were hesitating, and some were discussing in low voices.

After learning that 30 shares will be sold in the future, more people began to discuss.

When asked about the selling price, it was ten taels of silver per share.

The price...is prohibitive.

Soon, Wu Tong also arrived. Seeing that there were more and more people here, he was startled and couldn't help smiling wryly, feeling a little sorry for Ma Yu.

Soon, a few familiar faces came over and muttered to him, and when he realized what was going on, Tong Wu said, "Ten taels of silver a share? This... this is also..."

Even he felt that the price was a little too high.

At this time, someone said: "Let's go and see, someone posted the account and it came out."

Wu Tong followed the crowd to see, but it was the annual turnover and profit of the Ma's firm.

The amount of profit that year was actually 37 taels.

So, Wu Tong and others calculated.

If it is calculated by ten taels of silver, then the entire Mashi Commercial Bank is worth tens of millions of taels of silver, 37 taels of silver per year, which means that if you invest 1000 taels of silver, after a year, you will only earn 37 taels of silver.

Calculated in this way, it doesn't seem to be a lot, but at this time, some merchants came and began to prepare to buy.

Wu Tong and the others were indecisive for a while.

When someone brought a merchant over, he said in a low voice, "I earn 1000 taels a year for 37 taels... If you buy this, is it really worth it?"

The merchant was sweating profusely, looking eager, but said: "You can't look at this year's profit. The reason why this year's profit is 37 taels is because there are only more than 130 ships. But this fundraising is to order more new ships. Ships, the size of the fleet will increase several times in the future, next year, next year, five years or ten years later, the profit will not be 37 taels, even 370 million taels may not be impossible. Are you newcomers?"

Everyone was stunned when they heard it.

But the merchant continued: "You can't look at this year's accounts. If you know something about this Ma's firm, you have to look at their accounts from last year and the year before. In the year before last, the profit of Ma's firm was only 7 taels. , it becomes 16 taels, and the profit can be doubled in a year. This is the case every year. If I can invest in this Mars firm, I am afraid that I will become rich overnight. If I don’t buy it now, I will make a profit of 100 in a year. When it is ten thousand taels of silver, it is no longer the price of one share of ten taels of silver."

After everyone listened, they finally realized suddenly.

Wu Tong is also a shrewd person, so he immediately understood the meaning, thought about it immediately, and didn't say anything more to the others, so he hurried to the counter and wanted to buy shares.

In a big tone, he actually bought a thousand shares directly.

A full 1 taels of silver is nothing to a big family like the Wu family.

Soon, Wu Tong noticed that there were already a lot of ostentatious people behind him.

After Wu Tong bought the shares, he heaved a sigh of relief, but he still refused to leave. He wanted to find a chance to chat with Ma Yu, but someone pulled him aside and said in a low voice, "Follow me." Come."

Immediately, Wu Tong was pulled to the side room.

He was almost dragged in by someone, and when he saw the people in the ear room, he was suddenly taken aback.

At this time, his face was miserable, and he wanted to say something, but he couldn't open his mouth. Zhu Di and Zhang Anshi, these were people he recognized even when they turned into ashes.

Zhu Di was much more generous, and smiled at him: "Come, give me a seat, don't make a fuss, I will chat with you."

Only then did Wu Tong regain his composure.

In any case, he has met the saint twice. Even if this majesty is a foolish king, for him, it will be his own talk when he is old and his grandchildren will be happy.

Immediately, he tried his best to calm himself down a little, leaned over and sat down.

Zhu Di said: "I heard that you spent 1 taels of silver?"

Wu Tong said timidly, "Yes... yes..."

Zhu Di said, "Isn't this a small sum?"

Zhu Di's voice was quite soft, and he tried his best to appear friendly.

And Zhang Anshi, who was sitting on the side, also laughed.

The rest of Yang Rong and the others looked curious.

Only in that corner, Chen Deng, who was sitting upright, had kept his eyes closed and rested, but now he couldn't help opening his eyes, looking at Wu Tong.

Wu Tongdao: "Yes, it is indeed not a small sum."

Zhu Di said, "Why are you so willing?"

Wu Tong also made up his mind, but he didn't dare to commit the crime of deceiving the emperor, so he immediately said: "Ma Yu is the number one scholar, and I am an old friend, not to mention his talent and learning, but his virtue, students can trust him."

"Just these?"

The muscles on Wu Tong's face trembled, as if he had made up his mind, and immediately said: "Since the family moved to Hezhou, the fields in the village may not last long. The family has a large population. The shadow of the ancestors and the ancestors can actually live comfortably. It's just... sooner or later, if you go down like this, you will have to sit and eat. To be honest, Your Majesty, the grass people have not slept well since they came to Hezhou. I think it is unworthy Children and grandchildren, I am sorry for the ancestors. I am also worried that the Wu family will fall into the hands of the grassroots in the long run."

Zhu Di nodded secretly, but he understood.

Wu Tong continued: "However, Mr. Wu can't get a title on the gold list, enter the court as an official, and can't run a business, let alone imitate the merchants to do business. He has some silver in his hand. Why don't you find someone Reliable people, do some business and give the Wu family... an extra income, otherwise... sooner or later, the whole family will be ruined."

"Caomin doesn't know anything about business, but after listening to Ma Yu's advice, Caomin has some understanding of the operation of the ship industry. He thinks...he should be able to earn some money, so...he came here."

Zhu Di smiled: "Aren't you afraid of being cheated?"

Wu Tongdao: "Caomin is also a person who has seen the world. The reason why he has such courage is that Ma Yu was born as a number one scholar, and his family business is not small. If you think about it... it is not like this. Second, the law of Hezhou, The villain has some understanding these days. The officials are willing to accept such lawsuits and are willing to protect buyers like Cao Min. Third, the operation of the shipping industry is easy to understand and should also generate huge profits, so... Although There is also the possibility of losing everything, but... the chances of making a profit are great."

As he said that, Wu Tong gradually became more worried, and continued: "Of course, the most important thing is that the Wu family can't just sit and eat forever, otherwise, even if it is a mountain of gold and silver, it will be exhausted sooner or later."

Zhang Anshi said from the side: "Your Majesty, this Ma Yu is really a wonderful person. Not only is he a champion, he can talk to scholars, and he can explain business matters to scholars in an easy-to-understand manner. The most important thing is , He grasped the mentality of the gentry in Hezhou, and there are so many gentry in Hezhou, they also brought a lot of wealth, and this wealth, in a sense, is called old money."

"The money has been passed down for many generations. In order to avoid risks, it has been hidden in the silver vaults and cellars of these gentry families. It has been accumulated from generation to generation, but they are not willing to take it out easily."

"In the past, when the gentry had silver, they either stored it or used it to buy land. Apart from that, they had no choice."

"But today, the road of buying land is too risky, and it is no longer feasible. Especially these gentry who came to Hezhou to avoid disasters have lost their previous livelihoods, and it is precisely the most in need of a new means of livelihood when."

"Ma Yu has seen this right, and wants to attract all of Hezhou's vast wealth into his own hands."

Speaking of this, Zhang Anshi smiled, and then continued: "However, this matter can only be done by Ma Yu. As for other merchants, the gentry have always despised them. How could they hand over the money to the merchants?" Management? But if it is a gentry like Ma Yu who doesn't know how to manage it. Only this Ma Yu is proficient in management and is also a leader among scholars. All of the wealth will go into the Ma's firm."

Zhu Di couldn't help being moved when he heard this.

There are at least tens of thousands of gentry households, and I don’t know how many generations have accumulated their family business. How much will this wealth be?