The Royal Merchant of the Red Chamber

It wasn't until Tong Huang's angry figure completely disappeared in the Hall of Mental Cultivation that Xue Pan walked over frivolously with a gloating expression.

Stretching out his hand to pat Tu Zhen's shoulder, Xue Pan praised with a smirk on his face: "You say that I have sharp teeth and sharp mouth, and you are blocking others to roll their eyes. I am afraid that the first thing that the empress will do when she returns to the palace is to hug her. Cry on your pillow!"

Tu Zhen chuckled and shook his head disapprovingly.He felt that Tong Man'er was more likely to report to Dakang Palace after leaving Qianqing Palace.

Xue Pan thought for a while, then asked again: "Do you really want to record the eldest prince under the empress's name?"

Tu Zhen raised his eyebrows and smiled, "Is there any problem?"

"I'm afraid your son will be abused." Xue Pan has never had a good impression of Queen Tong ever since she found out that she killed Tu Xuan's biological mother.Thinking of Tu Zhen's cautiousness around Queen Mother Tong before, he couldn't help but love Wu and said: "Actually, Xuan'er is not bad now! I live in Yiyang Palace, with nurses and eunuchs taking care of me, and my sage and master teaching me." Why do you have to go to the queen and ask for trouble."

Tu Zhen shook his head, and said: "It is very good for his own identity to adopt the empress's name, at least it is justified. In the future... there will be no courtiers to object."

"Among the three princes, the eldest prince is the oldest, and the most stable in learning and temperament. Whether it is Lichang or Lixian, those ministers can't make any noise. Could it be that you still want to give birth to a son-in-law? ?” Xue Pan said, looking at Tu Zhen with a smirk.

Tu Zhen smiled but said nothing.

This is naturally impossible.If not, he wouldn't have to think hard about getting rid of the harem.It's just that there is no need to say some things, and it's good to enjoy Xia Pan'er's smallness occasionally.

The two talked and laughed, and picked up the matter of placing silver jewelry in the Ryukyu area before discussing it.In the end, it was decided to operate the base camp at the sticky poles in the Ryukyu area, focusing on the research of artillery and ammunition, as well as the upgrade of ocean-going warships.

After pretending to be a pirate to plunder wealth, Tu Zhen, who had tasted the sweetness, finally began to pay attention to these advanced weapons and equipment.On the one hand, it invests heavily in the research and development of new weapons and equipment, and on the other hand, it also sends people overseas to rob advanced scientific and technological talents.Although it is now hidden on that isolated island without showing any signs of mountains and water, the steps for many years have already taken shape, and it is only waiting for the right opportunity to surface.

After all this planning, Xue Pan and Lin Mozhi were the only ones who knew the details of the situation besides Tu Zhen.The rest, even Xue Zhizhang, Lin Ruhai, etc., only got a glimpse of the tip of the iceberg.

After discussing Tu Zhen's private money, the two began to discuss the Jinyiwei in the hands of the emperor.

Tu Zhen took out a seal from the brocade box on the dragon table and handed it to Xue Pan, and said with a smile: "Since my father raised the harem, Shangguan Rongzhi, the commander of Jinyiwei, has surrendered to me. It's just that he has been in power since he was weak. It's hard for me to trust him because I'm by my father's side, and my relationship with my father is unclear. Therefore, I hope that Pan'er will take over Jinyiwei, what does Pan'er think?"

Hearing this, Xue Pan raised his eyebrows in surprise and asked, "Why would the Holy Majesty think of me?"

Tu Zhen smiled lightly, and said all: "The ministers I like most of them work in the imperial court. Only Ziyu is the leader of the sticky pole department, and Gao Wei is the commander of the blood droplet. I really can't tell anyone else. You You can't ask that old man Dai Quan to be the leader of Jinyiwei! Therefore, except for Pan'er, no one else is suitable."

Neither can be trusted.

After all, Jin Yiwei is the emperor's secret guard, and Tu Zhen took over for a while, so he definitely cannot be trusted.If even the leader doesn't install someone he can rest assured of, I'm afraid it will be like sitting on pins and needles.

After much deliberation, only Pan'er is suitable.

Simply put, he has many hidden guards in his hands, and he doesn't point out Jin Yiwei to do private things.Hand it over to Pan'er. On the one hand, he believes that with Pan'er's ability, he will be able to gather the entire Jinyiwei sooner or later;

Seeing this, Xue Pan could only take the seal in Tu Zhen's hand with a smile, and said, "Don't worry, I will take care of it."

Tu Zhen said, "It's up to you."

While talking, Dai Quan came in again and asked if there was a meal.Only then did Xue Pan notice that the time was missing.Tu Zhen threw the booklet in his hand on the dragon case, waved his hand and said with a smile: "In that case, let's put the food in the warm pavilion!"

Compared with the emperor's rules and extravagance, Tu Zhen has always been very casual in terms of basic necessities of life.Therefore, the meals served by the small kitchen are not as 38 dishes and four soups as before.A total of two people ate, only served eight dishes and one soup.But they were all cooked according to the taste of Tu Zhen and Xue Pan, so they added an extra bowl of rice.

Looking at a dish of fried shredded potatoes on the dining table, Tu Zhen sighed softly: "This year, there is a severe drought in the south again. Thanks to the sweet potatoes and other things you brought into the palace, otherwise, I am afraid that the common people will have a hard time. "

Hearing this, Xue Pan smiled and said, "Although there is a severe drought in the south, the situation in the north is still good. Among other things, the income of our village has more than doubled compared to last year. Although the rest of the family is no better than us , but after much deliberation, it is still better than in previous years.”

Hearing this, Tu Zhen nodded in relief.

Xue Pan said again: "Actually, there are thousands of miles of mountains and rivers in Dayong, and the climate deviation between the north and the south is too great. It is normal to have a drought or flood every year. However, some things can be avoided. For example, the same tenants who are farming, the same In the same year, in the same area, some people have better harvests, while others have poorer harvests. My method is to ask people who have good harvests to come out and tell the rest, whether there are any tricks and details that should be paid attention to. At most, I would give him dozens of taels of silver as a reward after the lecture. But the rest of the tenants learned from this old man’s experience and followed suit when they farmed next year. Naturally, the harvest was much better than before. Counting and counting, I still earned it."

When Tu Zhen heard the words, he couldn't help but his heart moved, and he said, "According to Pan'er, should the imperial court encourage this kind of practice?"

Xue Pan laughed and said, "Persuading farmers to grow mulberries is what the imperial court should do. Besides, when I was free to read ancient books, I found that the ancients had invented agricultural tools such as waterwheels and Qu Yuan plows, and the kind that can pump water from the ground up for irrigation. The things in the farmland. In fact, when there is a drought, can’t this method also ensure that the farmer will not die of thirst? The wisdom of the ancients is really profound, but it is a pity that some things are completely useless today. Why doesn’t the Holy One send someone Collect these technologies together and continue to experiment. If it is really useful, you might as well promote it. This is also a good thing that benefits the country and the people!"

Tu Zhen put down the bowl and chopsticks thoughtfully, and fell silent.

Xue Pan said again: "I think there are many colleges today. It's a pity that most of the professors are all useless Confucianism. Your Majesty might as well set up a college, just like the ethnology of our Xue family, but His Majesty can Send people to teach the people how to farm and weave. You can also fund experienced and capable craftsmen to conduct research and experiments, and there may be unexpected gains.”

Tu Zhen sighed, "I've heard a little about your business school of Jinling Ethnic Studies. As the saying goes, there is a specialization in art, and Pan'er's idea is not bad."

Xue Pan smiled and said: "Exactly. My Xue family established a business school, and His Majesty can also set up an agricultural college and a military academy. Your Majesty needs talents with various knowledge to govern the country. Although Confucianism is widely spread, But apart from boasting or self-cultivation, it is basically of little use in practice. Why don't you set up another subject to study these practical skills!"

Tu Zhen glanced at Xue Pan, smiled lightly and said, "You want to change?"

Xue Pan avoided answering, but said: "How is the effect of the technique of investigating things? Presumably the sage has also seen it with his own eyes. Compared with Confucian self-cultivation, the technique of investigating objects is more suitable for solving problems. Therefore, the establishment of various academies of sciences is very important for the future of the Yong Dynasty. There are only benefits and no disadvantages."

"Just don't rush it. Otherwise, it's not good to cause a national backlash."

After all, Confucianism is still in power nowadays.

Xue Pan disagreed. "Then take it slowly. After seeing the results, these students will naturally put down their bodies to learn. It is much easier to lure them with profit than to suppress them with power."

What's more, there is really no rush to go anywhere.There is still more than a month before the Chinese New Year.The imperial court is going to seal the pen and take a vacation.We can't break ground just after the spring of next year, so we have to take it easy!

The two chatted a little more, and seeing that it was getting late, Xue Pan hurried out of the palace.

When I returned to Zhongxinhou's Mansion, I happened to meet Lin Daiyu and the Sanchun sisters from Jia's family who came to visit.All the girls, wives and grandmas sat on the ground in Ruirong hall.Xue Pan stood outside and waited for the little girl to finish reporting, then walked in.At that time, everyone was looking at the bonsai blooming in the house, reciting poems!

Seeing Xue Pan's figure, he couldn't help but smile and asked, "Big brother is back!"

"Meet the big brother!"

After seeing all the girls, Xue Pan went to Madam Xue and sat down.I only heard Madam Xue say: "You father and son are so busy these days that you don't even see a shadow. It makes me feel weird and boring. So I thought about taking the girls from Lin's and Jia's houses over to play. Relieve Baochai's boredom. I don't think the grandmas and wives of Rongguo Mansion will find it boring, so they also come here, and the big guys are happy to get together and pass their free time."

Wang Xifeng said with a smile: "The boy at the door said that my aunt brought the girls over to play, and I followed them uninvited when I was free. I just hope that the uncle will not bother me."

Xue Pan interjected: "How can it be? Don't worry, just play with your own. According to me, you should walk around from time to time, and the ladies in the house will come to accompany Baochai more often, so that she won't be bored at home all day long."

Wang Xifeng said with a smile: "I'm counting the days, in about half a year's time, Miss Bao is going to get married, right? I have to come over to add makeup and join in the fun."

Baochai turned her face away in embarrassment.

Xichun who was sitting on the side also smiled and said: "Not only Sister Bao, I heard that Sister Lin's marriage has also been settled. We just wait for Jiji to exchange name cards!"

One sentence made Lin Daiyu so ashamed that she didn't know what to do.Covering their faces, they slipped into Baochai's arms, and the two of them competed in embarrassment.

After joking and gossiping for a while, it was time to set the meal.Mrs. Xue took all the girls and grandmothers to the side hall for dinner.

After dinner, Xue Pan went back to Ruanrou Township to rest without mentioning it.