Bright Spring

Shen Xu nodded and said, "Exactly, in Dagongfang."

Zhu Gaoxu praised: "Madam has good eyesight. There are many people in the market over there, and it is not far from the government school. There are many people who listen to operas, drink tea and hold banquets. How is the business?"

"It's really much better than Yunnan." Shen Xu said with a smile, "To open this kind of business, you need a place with a lot of cash. After all, we can't collect food, cloth, charcoal and other things. The capital is the place where the world's wealth gathers. There are a lot of people with cash."

At this moment, Zhu Gaoxu stopped suddenly, and stood by the railing of the corridor, watching the yard.Shen Xu and Wang had no choice but to stop.

What attracted Zhu Gaoxu was a water leak beside the pool.When Shen Xu saw Zhu Gaoxu's gaze, he immediately found it very interesting, as if an emperor had turned into a curious boy.The big water funnel is something that uses the water in the funnel to drive the wooden gear to rotate. The world's people would have built it hundreds of years ago.

"It's just a decoration in the garden, and it's as useful as a rockery." Shen Xu said, "Nowadays, there is no need for water leakage for timekeeping, and the 'six-wheel hourglass' is not afraid of freezing in winter. Qin Tianjian must have these things , and possibly more complex structures."

Zhu Gaoxu smiled and said: "I thought the civil servants thought it was a strange|obscene skill, it seems that they are quite keen on this kind of machinery."

Shen Xu guessed that he had not been on the throne for a long time and was busy with other things, so he might not know it.

The three walked into a living room with a coffee table.Just like in the Yunnan Liyuan, the coffee table is equipped with tea sets for brewing Kung Fu tea, which is not common here in the capital.After Shen Xu waited to salute, she made tea by herself.

In this situation, it is naturally inconvenient to say something too personal|confidential, so Zhu Gaoxu began to talk about state affairs.

Shen Xu listened carefully, she actually liked to listen, which made her feel very noble... After all, the status of a businessman is low.In the past, when Zhu Gaoxu and Mu Sheng were in her garden, drinking tea and making major military and political decisions, Shen Xu felt very stylish at that time.

Zhu Gaoxu seemed to have come prepared and took out a map.He said: "As Mrs. Shen said, Ming Dynasty currently lacks currency in circulation. The banknotes are facing problems such as credit overdraft collapse and counterfeit banknotes, and they have not found a good solution for a while. Therefore, the safest way is to get a lot of gold and silver. ,copper.

Japan seems to have silver mines, and I have decided to send a mission to investigate.There are gold mines in Nanyang, as well as gold from trade.Muslim areas such as Tianzhu and Arabia have traded with the East and the West since the Han Dynasty and accumulated a large amount of gold.There are copper mines in Yunnan, which can be minted and shipped out of the southwest.

Therefore, I plan to establish a maritime trade order from Europe, Africa, Tianzhu, Southeast Asia, Ming Dynasty, North Korea, Japan, and possibly even try to connect the Americas, across the east, west, north and south.The imperial court can not only obtain a large amount of cash, but also promote the prosperity of domestic industry and commerce after it flows into the country. "

(The circulation of currency in the Ming Dynasty was very strange and chaotic, and fake coins could also be used. People in the world don’t care whether they are true or not, they only value them based on their quality. After the credit of the banknotes went bankrupt, they can still be circulated; because of the two civil wars, the court A large number of precious banknotes were issued indiscriminately, and now the value of precious banknotes and copper coins has fallen to the level of ten to one.)

Mrs. Shen Xu lifted up the boiling water, waited for it to cool down a little, and said, "The Holy One has such a grand plan, and I admire it very much. However, the past dynasties have always urged agriculture and suppressed business. The Holy One is so simple, there will be no Does the minister object?"

Zhu Gaoxu frowned and said: "Someone should object. But in this world, as long as it is a meaningful event, it is not easy."

When "Wang Shi" heard this, he immediately looked sideways at Zhu Gaoxu, and his gaze became a little strange.Shen Xu noticed this detail, but couldn't understand it.

Zhu Gaoxu said: "After the prosperity of industry and commerce, the food production may not be reduced, after all, those who own good land are reluctant to let it go to waste.

Moreover, Siam, Chenla, Annan and other places, after the introduction of the advanced farming technology of the Han people, have high yields, with at least three crops a year.We can ship food from these places by sea to stock up through trade.The land in Liaodong was fertile, and it was also an important area for development by the imperial court at this time. Criminals were exiled to Liaodong as far as possible, and compensation was given for the migration of soldiers and civilians.I judge that there will be no famine in the country at this time. "

Hearing this, Mrs. Shen Xu took the opportunity to say the previous "misunderstanding" in a joking tone: "No wonder, the imperial court once promised concubines to use salt as a dowry, but the Holy Majesty withdrew it."

Zhu Gaoxu smiled and said: "I don't want a talented woman like Mrs. Shen to be delayed by that kind of boring salt business. There is a more profitable business for you. Don't worry about money, I am planning to issue national debt."

"National debt?" Shen Xu asked.

But she was thinking about the boiling water, and it was almost cold by now, so she picked up the kettle and started making tea.Immediately, the living room was filled with the pleasant fragrance of tea.

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Chapter 7 Fifteen

From the end of February to the beginning of March, the weather in Beijing was drizzled for several days.

Coming out of Qingshou Temple, Yao Fang, who lived in secluded life, saw the people coming and going in the capital market, and felt that there was no change from half a year ago, but felt that there was something different.Perhaps he was just in a different mood.

The Yao family and the Qin family completed the process of adoption and appointment, and thought it would be inconvenient to rain when they were welcoming their relatives; unexpectedly, when the auspicious day came, the weather suddenly cleared up.The guests all took advantage of the weather to congratulate the auspicious words.

Yao Fang's younger sister is a virtuous concubine, and her father is a noble, but the emperor seemed to avoid it deliberately and did not send envoys to give gifts.However, there were a lot of dignitaries attending the banquet that day. The Guo family of the empress's mother, the Mu family of the imperial concubine, the Jing family of the noble concubine, the Du family of the concubine Shu, and even the Korean envoys in Beijing all sent people to the banquet to give gifts.It can be seen that Yao Fang's younger sister has handled the relationship in the palace quite well.

After entertaining the guests, Yao Fang walked into the bridal chamber wearing a nine-rank official robe.He has no official position now, but there is a custom in the world, and common people can also wear ninth-rank official uniforms when they get married. People are still very persistent in being an official.

The wedding night in the bridal chamber is a great joy in life.The bride was sitting by the bed, covering her red hijab. Yao Fang looked at her with mixed feelings.

What made him a little bit relieved was that after taking off the hijab, he saw the bride, Qin Shi again, and saw that she was still very beautiful.Delicate, gentle and fair, she is a woman from a scholarly family after all, and her father is a Juren.

Qin's eyes were lowered, and she seemed to be in a complicated mood, and she didn't dare to look at Yao Fang at all.She silently picked up the jug and poured wine step by step.An old woman must have taught her before she got married.

Yao Fang's mood was no longer the same as when he first met Qin Shi. He was very calm at this moment, and said with some apology: "Is your wound and bleeding healed, is it okay?"

Unexpectedly, as soon as this remark came out, Qin's face flushed "shua", she turned her face slightly and nodded, and responded with an "um".

Only then did Yao Fang come to her senses, as if she had asked something wrong.He then recalled his doubts from last year, and asked, "The day I was captured by Jin Yiwei, you asked me if I had really been to that temple, what do you mean?"

Qin Shi poured out the wine, but seemed embarrassed to take it up to drink, the atmosphere was a bit weird.She sat by the bed and said, "I did go to that temple to burn incense, but I didn't notice... Husband, that's why I asked."

There was silence in the bridal chamber for a while.Yao Fang was originally a martial artist, sometimes he was straightforward and didn't want to hide it, not to mention that now that Qin Shi has become a bedside person, he directly expressed his doubts in his heart.

"There was a lot of trouble at Xiao's house that day, and you heard it from the side. You should understand the reason for that incident. It was a personal enmity between me and Xiao Wencai. The explanation later was just that some friends in the court wanted to help. I'm just exempt from the death penalty. After all, I adore you and rob you to save the Qin family from being implicated by the Xiao family. This is a much better reason; at least it's a lesser crime than revenge on your revenge, venting | venting | anger and hurting the innocent."

That's why Yao Fang felt that Qin's question was a way he had come up with after being helpless (her innocence was tainted).It is normal for Yao Fang to speculate like this.In the days when he worked for Monk Daoyan, he had seen too many intrigues, and he would inevitably think that many things were just a means of weighing pros and cons.

At this time, Qin's voice said: "I was very scared at the time, and I didn't think much about it, so I wanted to believe that those things (the admiration of the acquaintances in the temple) were true." Her voice showed timidity, "But later, I also understood Yes, but you're just lying to yourself."

When Yao Fang heard this, she immediately felt pity, and felt remorse for what she had done that time.

He sighed, and then remembered that after he got married, he would still have nothing to do, so he remembered the way out that his sister pointed out to him.

So Yao Fang said again: "My father is a marquis, but not all titles of Daming are hereditary, there are differences, and you need to ask for permission. And you know what I have done. In the future, after a hundred years of my father, I will also It may not be possible to inherit the title. I plan to join the merchants of the Shen family to find a living, what do you think?"

Qin said softly: "Since the concubine is married to your husband, no matter whether you are a businessman or a nobleman, you are the concubine's life, and I will never complain. I only hope that your husband treats you well."

Yao Fang felt hot when she heard this, she picked up the wine glass, took Qin's slender hand, and said, "The Holy Majesty once said that time is the best medicine. What should be forgotten, even if you want to forget it, you can't resist the time. So far I have not forgotten." I understand that staying together is the most true friendship."

The two drank their glasses of wine cautiously, and Qin Shi finally gave Yao Fang an embarrassed look.

... Within two days, Yao Fang really went to visit the Shen family.

The person who received him was a capable middle-aged man who called himself Xu Caiqi.Xu Cai said seven words, Mrs. Shen, the head of the family, is a widow, and it is inconvenient to meet him; he is Mrs. Shen's cousin of the same family, and he is far away to welcome Yunyun.Then he said some kind words very politely.

Yao Fang knew in her heart that the fact that he was still able to gain the respect of many people in his current state was indeed due to his family status.

Although Mrs. Shen didn't come forward, Yao Fang had sharp eyes and noticed that there was a side room with curtains on the side of the living room.He had worked in Jinyiwei, and he had a lot of thoughts, so he immediately speculated: Mrs. Shen might be listening in the ear room. After all, Yao Fang is the eldest brother of the imperial concubine, and the head of the family will not ignore it.

The two sat down on the chairs on both sides of a table, and the maid served tea and went out.

Yao Fang explained her purpose.

Xu Caiqi seems to be in a good mood, and the energy between words and deeds is like a person who sees a bright future and is about to do something big.

He said: "After returning from the Northern Expedition today, his eyes seem to be set overseas. His Majesty probably thinks that the increased revenue from maritime trade can in turn solve domestic affairs. Mr. Yao actually thinks highly of us, Shen and Xu, and came to partner. You must have also got some news from the concubine Xian?"

Yao Fang has already recognized the current situation, the court will not give him an official position.So he said with a half-joking, half-serious expression: "It's not a partnership, I really came here to join Mrs. Shen. Concubine Xian lives in the deep palace, and now she seldom interacts with her family, but Concubine Xian really agrees with this matter. "

Xu Caiqi savored the meaning of Yao Fang's words. After a while, he seemed to gain a little more confidence, and praised: "Young Master Yao has a good vision! Although we are only businessmen, we have encountered a good time, and we have a lot to do in the future. Now It seems that only us merchants who have been approved by the Holy Spirit can benefit from maritime trade."

Xu Caiqi invited Yao Fang to drink tea, and then said: "The Shen family estimates that businessmen in Zhejiang, Fujian, and Guangdong will be very dissatisfied in the near future. But what can we do? Who told us to have the emperor's support? The situation is not right. The Shen family is very favorable!

This is how business is done. If there are more people doing it, everyone will calculate each other, lower the price of goods, and reduce profits.Therefore, the most profitable business is to monopolize one side of the trade route; we are currently in such a situation. "