half life slave

Fengyang Mansion is under the jurisdiction of Nanzhili, and the Huaihe River runs through its territory.When Rong Yu arrived in Fengyang, it was almost the cool autumn season.The rice in the official warehouses was poured out, but there was still not enough rice, so he asked for an order to borrow more grain from the two official warehouses in Chuzhou and Huai'an, so that the affected people could get enough relief and barely survive the next cold winter.

The rest is nothing more than how to raise money.On the way here, he had already repaired Jiang Chun, a salt merchant, and invited him to come to Fengyang Mansion for a talk.Although the reason was not stated in the letter, the other party could guess the general idea. After all, the only thing the imperial court urgently needs now is money.

When Jiang Chun came to visit, Rong Yuzheng prepared an exquisite tin soup bottle, an oil dripping tea cup, and the imperial gift of Jianzhou Dragon Ball.

He looked at Rong Yu with piercing eyes, and saw that he was only wearing a green shirt, and he was calm, so he couldn't help but cupped his hands and said with a smile, "It's been a few years since I left, and my lord still has the same demeanor. Jiang is old."

Rong Yu invited him to sit down with a smile, and after exchanging pleasantries, he ordered Lin Sheng to boil water, and asked Jiang Chun with a smile, "Mr. Jiang, do you still remember the suggestion he gave me that year?"

Jiang Chun narrowed his eyes slightly, as if thinking about it, "My lord is saying, I hope the court will allow me to wait for a long time to sell salt in Lianghuai?"

Rong Yu nodded, "I wonder if Mr. Jiang is still interested in this formulation?"

Jiang Chun slightly raised his eyebrows, and asked calmly, "Your Excellency, did you bring the emperor's orders with you? To be honest, I'm naturally interested. But now, I'm afraid everyone knows that the court is in need of money. If we salt merchants were to help with disaster relief, we would have been obliged to do so." After a moment of hesitation, he continued, "It's just that at this juncture, the old story is suddenly brought up again, and the intention of the court is somewhat unpredictable."

The big businessman's sense of smell was really keen, he guessed the holy will and the purpose of his trip, since he had the chance to win, he simply put on a posture and bargained for a while.

Rong Yu smiled lightly, "Before I came to Fengyang, someone in the court suggested that I ask you big households to pay donations, but I didn't agree. The imperial court is not so poor. It's reasonable for us to return one yard to one yard. It should be regarded as a court grace, and it is also for the convenience of salt management in the future. It is a good thing for both of us. The so-called hereditary is a good deal that many people are jealous of. The emperor also wants to catch up with me while I am in Fengyang. After finishing this matter, I will be able to explain to the court officials when I go back, that's all."

"Oh?" Jiang Chun said slowly, "But Jiang heard that the bank in Taicang has already run out."

Rong Yu raised his eyebrows and smiled, "Mr. Jiang, this is hearsay. If there is no silver in such a huge Taicang, it is as impossible as I said that there is not a single grain of salt left in the Lianghuai salt field? Besides, this year The Lianghuai Salt Transportation Department also confiscated more than [-] salt coins, which is probably enough for disaster relief.”

Jiang Chun stared at him suspiciously for a long time, seeing his relaxed face, he couldn't help nodding, "Maybe Jiang has misunderstood. Speaking of which, did the imperial court really allow us to be hereditary salt merchants this time?"

Rong Yu pursed his lips and said yes, "The intention of the imperial court is that in the future, the salt quotations received by salt merchants will be compiled into a compendium, which will be divided into ten categories. Those who have the hereditary marketing right. After that, the imperial court will not collect salt, and the salt households will pay the class amount and pay the silver according to the quotation. The imperial court only sells the quotation, and the salt merchants go to the site to collect and transport it by themselves. In this way, is it more convenient for you? ?”

Jiang Chun summed it up, nodded slowly, and expressed his feelings directly after listening, "Then, my lord, what is the price offered by the court?"

Stretching out two fingers, Rong Yu answered, "20 taels."

"20 taels?" Jiang Chun immediately raised his eyebrows, "A salt merchant is 20 yuan, and the Lianghuai area alone can earn 200 million taels. Forgive me for saying bluntly, the imperial court's abacus is better than that of our salt merchants." Still fine."

Rong Yu responded with a smile, "Mr. Jiang was joking, this is not how the account is calculated. Among the 21 saltworks, Lianghuai accounted for the largest, earning more than 500 taels of silver every year, but the salt tax was only 250 taels at most. Do you think it is the truth that the imperial court is so generous and hides the wealth for the people so that the salt merchants can be the richest in the world?"

Seeing that he was silent for a while, Rong Yu listened to the sound of boiling water in the soup bottle, and signaled Lin Sheng to pour soup into the oil drop cup. After a while, there were cloud-like milk flowers in the tea cup, and when the milk flowers burst, water marks appeared , Rong and Fang handed the teacup to Jiang Chun.

"According to your lord, the imperial court will not increase the salt tax?" Jiang Chun asked suddenly after being silent for a long time.

Rong Yu shook his head, "No, the emperor has no such plan."

Jiang Chun sighed softly, seemingly relieved, "Oh, that's good. It's not that I complained to my lord. The salt merchants make a lot of money, they are famous, and they spend a lot. Sometimes our government has to buy some Tribute, there is a famine in the area, don’t we have to pay for it?”

He vaguely said that he needed to take care of officials, Rong Yu asked with a smile, "It's better now, Yan Ji, the transfer envoy of Lianghuai, is famous for not being able to reach out to others."

Jiang Chun was very disapproving, "Master Yan is nailing and riveting, and it is naturally beneficial, but sometimes, he is too serious, and others are uncomfortable, and it is difficult for himself. Sir is so wise, he should know what Jiang means."

This principle is not difficult to understand. Although corrupt officials are greedy, but fortunately they have plans. Everyone is for money, and they can still be tied together to get rich.If it is too clean, it will make others have no chance to take advantage of it and hinder them from making money, which will be even more annoying.

Jiang Chun picked up the teacup, put it down again, and said with some hesitation, "Your Excellency just said that you won't add gifts, forgive Jiang for being abrupt, is this true? Your Excellency really knows the holy will."

Rong Yu smiled and didn't answer, only motioned him to drink tea.He frowned helplessly, took another sip from the teacup, his eyes suddenly lit up, he stared at the tea leaves curiously for a while, took another sip, and then asked hesitantly, "My lord's tea, is it Jianzhou Dragon Tuan?"

Jiang Chun became more and more puzzled, "This tea has always been famous outside. I heard that it was still offered to the inner court. Jiang got some from a friend by chance, but when he went home and brewed it, he felt that the taste was astringent and the taste was very unusual. Since then, it has been put on the shelf. Now that I drink it here, I don’t think it’s sweet and refreshing. Could it be that what Jiang drank in the past were all Xibei products?”

Lifting his lips and smiling, Rong Yu explained the reason to him, "The so-called good tea needs to be paired with good water. Jianzhou Longtuan is indeed a tribute tea from the inner court. I only brought such a cake and a urn of Yuquan water with me. The answer? , on this Yuquan water."

"Jade spring water?" Jiang Chun's eyes were burning like a torch, "Isn't this jade spring water known as the best spring in the world? It has always been reserved for the royal family only?"

Rong Yu looked happy, and said while sipping tea indifferently, "Yes, before I left, the emperor specially asked me to bring it, saying that I was afraid that I would be used to drinking this water, and I would not be used to drinking other things outside. , I just brought this urn because I thought it was troublesome."

Taking advantage of Jiang Chun's eyes full of surprise, Rong Yu asked him with a smile, "Did Mr. Jiang ask just now, can I know Long Live Lord's mind?"

Jiang Chun was taken aback for a moment, swallowed and spit out, "Your Majesty Lin won the trust of the emperor because of his youth, but it's Jiang who asked too much." Then he laughed at himself, "Forgive Jiang for talking again, the last time my lord was in Yangzhou , I have wanted to visit your lord many times, I heard that your lord likes calligraphy and painting, and I have also found some expensive ancient paintings, and I want to invite you to appreciate them together, why didn't your lord refuse to see them, and didn't give me this opportunity?"

Rong He's eyes were calm, but he smiled sincerely, "It's not that I don't want to see Mr. Jiang, but that I see you alone. It's not good to see other people. Everyone has something that they think I should like." I am also overwhelmed with things. To tell you the truth, sir, I may not dislike those things, but I really don't lack them."

Jiang Chun was startled, staring at him again, he felt more and more that this person had delicate features and a certain elegance.At this moment, the light and shadow in the room were flowing, reflecting on his face, making his skin more like jade, and his demeanor was not like a humble servant, but more like a noble son from a poetic family.

It is no wonder that such a person would be so blessed.

While the two sides were pondering each other, a middle-aged senior attendant walked quickly outside the hall. The man walked behind Jiang Chun, saluted hurriedly, "Master, it's not good, my wife sent a letter saying that the young master drove Mr. Xixi away again." Now, let you find another master here in Huizhou Mansion."

"What's important, I have to go back and forth now." Jiang Chun turned his head and scolded, "It's getting more and more unruly, so hurry up and go out."

Hearing him scolding, the man shrugged and hurriedly backed out.Jiang Chun shook his head at Rong Yu, and said awkwardly, "My lord is laughing at me. The servants in the family have no rules. After all, we merchants can't compare with those who are officials and butchers."

This made Rong Yu hear some implication. With a thought, he followed his words and said, "Huizhou has a prosperous literary style and a large number of scholars. It should not be difficult for you to find a gentleman here. Mr. Jiang pays attention to the education of his children, which is consistent with The style of poetry and etiquette of officials and officials is similar."

"It's different, it's very different." Jiang Chun shook his head all the way, and sighed, "Huizhou has poor mountains and shallow waters, and the land is barren. It has always been the case that children who want to go out and develop can only study and become officials. But even if the family has tens of thousands of hectares, so what, scholars, farmers, businessmen, and businessmen can only be ranked at the bottom, and they are still inferior after all. That's why Jiang deliberately trains the children of the clan to study, but the dog is stubborn and can't be educated. Jiang thinks The ambition to glorify the lintel will eventually come to nothing."

Rong Yuxing said slowly as if inadvertently, "Mr. Ling is still young after all, and he has not understood Mr. Jiang's painstaking efforts. In fact, the court also has incomprehension. A volunteer like Mr. who is willing to donate generously to the people in a catastrophe year , should be rewarded accordingly.”

As soon as the words fell, Jiang Chun's expression was shocked, and he stared at him intently, "Your Excellency, what you say is serious? If Jiang donates funds to relieve the victims, will the imperial court praise Jiang for his official position?"

Rong Yu chuckled, "This matter is reasonable, why not take it seriously?"

Jiang Chun immediately showed joy, and immediately said, "Then Jiang is willing to contribute another 5 taels to relieve the flood in Fengyang Prefecture."

"Sir, don't be impatient." Rong Yu waved his hand with a smile, "This matter must be reported to the imperial court. After the emperor grants permission, it will not be too late for me to inform you."

Jiang Chun was slightly taken aback, his expression full of urgency, "Yes, yes. Then Jiang will wait for the good news from the lord. I believe that with the ability of the lord, Jiang will not be happy for nothing."

It's like a conversation, ending when both parties are satisfied.Rong Yu sent Jiang Chun away with a smile all the time, and when he left, he returned to the hall and heard Lin Sheng sigh, "Just now we were chatting and laughing, but when I left, my lord will be frowning."

Rong Yu couldn't help but ask, "Is it so obvious?"

Lin Sheng nodded again and again, not without worry, "Your Excellency really intends to donate an official to him? Before Guochao, there was no such precedent."

Rong Yu sat on the armchair and said wearily, "The national treasury is empty, and Taicang is running out of money. These are all true. Military supplies, river work, disaster relief, camping and land reclamation, and coastal defense need money everywhere. Once there is another war on the frontier, or If there is another catastrophe, the imperial court will be stretched. Since these big merchants have plans for officials, I will take this opportunity to pay more money for the imperial court."

"My lord's words are to comfort yourself. You also know that you must be scolded for this matter, not by the emperor, but by those officials. I hate them sitting in the capital every day, staring at people's mistakes, scolding After finishing this and scolding that. Those people should really be sent to provide disaster relief, to see what it would be like for ordinary people to live without money."

Lin Sheng was indignant for a while, and asked him again, "Then Jiang Chun just said that he wanted to donate 5 taels, why didn't you just accept it? You were still so cautious, saying that you would wait until the emperor approves it. Even if the emperor won't allow it in the future, So what if you accepted his charity money for disaster relief, how dare he sue you to go?"

Rong Yu was asked with a smile, "Wouldn't it be trickery to take money from others if you didn't do something well?"

"Then do you think His Majesty will approve of this?" Lin Sheng looked at him cautiously and asked.

This was exactly what he was worried about, and his intuition told him that Shen Hui would definitely understand and agree with his actions, but what followed was that he had to face the civil and military doubts of the court alone.

Back in the room at night, lay out a blank memorial, detailing the idea of ​​donating, and the way of donating. After a long time of deliberation, Rong Yu still wrote down the first sentence at the beginning: "I beg As a rule." These five words.