The Royal Merchant of the Red Chamber

Everyone ate their lunch under Xue Pan's fuss, took a short rest, got up and went downstairs, left the Fuyuan Hall, and strolled on the street.

Now it is almost the Mid-Autumn Festival, and the streets are decorated with lanterns and festoons everywhere, which is very festive.Xue Pan peeked at Lin Mozhi, who had been silent for a long time, and said with a smile, "I saw the Mid-Autumn Festival, how did your family arrange it?"

Hearing the words, Lin Mozhi managed to pull himself together, and replied with a smile: "What can I do, it's the same as in previous years."

Hearing this, Xue Pan frowned and asked, "Are you going to the Rongguo Mansion to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival?"

"No, it's just that the family members eat wine and enjoy the moon at will." Lin Mozhi shook his head, and explained: "This year, the second master of Rongguo Mansion returned to Beijing to report his duties. It's cheaper. Not to mention the relationship between our family and the Rongguo Mansion... Now that my wife is gone and Daiyu is engaged to get married, there is no need to celebrate New Year together in the future."

Suddenly, Xue Pan nodded and smiled, "Yes. I remember that Baochai's wedding date is next May. It seems that Miss Lin's wedding date is only less than a month later than Baochai's?"

"Mid-June." Lin Mozhi said, sighing in a daze, "I don't know if Prince Jing of Beijing will be my sister's lover."

Xue Pan stopped silently.Getting married and living a life can only be understood after living together for a long time.As the saying goes, people know how cold or warm they drink water.At that time, everyone thought that Mo Zhi'er and Prince Zhongshun had something to do, and even Tu Zhen talked about it several times, both openly and secretly.Are the two separated now?

Thinking of this, Xue Pan sighed again, and suggested: "You said that your family doesn't have any senior female family members. The rest of the people are lazy and lazy. It's just a group of you. What kind of New Year’s can you enjoy together. It’s just a waste of the good time of the Mid-Autumn Festival. Why don’t you go to our house as a family—there are so many people in our house, and we have similar personalities, so we get along very well. You What do you think?"

Lin Mozhi looked up at Xue Pan's expectant face, pondered for a moment, and said, "I'll go back and tell my father what you mean, and let him decide."

"It's all one family, so there's nothing to decide." Xue Pan waved his hand, making a decision very proudly. "That's it. I'll send a car to pick you up from the house that day. It won't work if you don't come."

Lin Mozhi shook his head dumbly, and said with a soft smile: "It's not such a trouble, we will prepare our own carriages and horses and go there."

"That's fine, but you just remember to come here." Xue Pan said, looking up at the two princes walking hand in hand in front of him, he raised his voice and said, "You two, walk slowly, and be careful not to be abducted by kidnappers."

Before he could finish a sentence, he suddenly heard a surprised cry from behind. "You idiot Xue?"

Xue Pan's face darkened, and he turned his head to look viciously at the Zhongrui Prince Tu Huang who appeared at some time and his inseparable Tu Ren, and that he never stayed in Beijing very much, but would come back during the New Year's Eve to let everyone know about him. Prince Zhongdun, who is not yet dead, Tu Fan.With a cold snort, he said, "You still recognize me?"

What I said was too resentful, and Tu Huang was stunned when he heard it, and he quickly said: "I have been talking with people recently, and I have led them to a waste of money, and the fat and water you ordered should not flow into other people's fields. If you don't believe me, you can go to Yun'er inquire about."

While speaking, the two little princes, Tu Xuan and Tu Yang, also walked over quickly, stepped forward to salute and said, "I have seen Uncle Fifth, Uncle Six, and Uncle Seven."

Prince Zhong Dun looked at the two babies in front of him in surprise, patted the shoulders of the two babies with a pair of big hands rudely, and said, "I haven't seen you for a few years, you have grown up so much."

As he spoke, he frowned and recalled: "I still remember that you were still in someone's arms when I saw you last time!"

Tu Xuan and Tu Yang's faces darkened, and they didn't bother to remind Tu Fan and the others that they had just met at the New Year's Eve banquet last year. Tu Teng immediately changed the topic and asked, "How do you choose the best time in the middle of the day?" Come out to play at this time?"

"Young Fu led us out for practical lessons, not just for fun." Tu Xuan obediently responded, and asked casually, "How many uncles also came out to play?"

With a flash of embarrassment on his face, Xue Pan immediately knew that nothing good happened to the three of them.Sure enough, Tu Huang complained in a low voice: "I was going to get rich and luxurious, but I happened to see you and Mr. Lin, so I wanted to ask you if you would go. Who would have thought that you would bring the two of them out?" .”

Xue Pan smiled inwardly, but said with a straight face: "I brought the two sons out to observe the people's sentiments. In case they grow up in the future, their limbs will not work hard and they will not know the grains. They don't even know cabbage and spinach."

After saying a word, Tu Huang's face was blushing, and he was a little bit embarrassed.He glared at Xue Pan viciously, and complained softly: "Speak as you speak, well, what are you doing with so many useless things?"

Xue Pan chuckled, and didn't tease Tu Huang anymore, he waved his hands casually and said, "Then I won't delay you either. Let's spread out and go play separately!"

Before Xue Pan could finish speaking, Tujuan said with great interest: "It's okay. It just so happens that we don't have much fun, just wandering around slowly. If the young master doesn't give up, why don't you take some of us with you? ?”

Xue Pan pondered for a moment, thinking that it would be nice to have three more people out of thin air to help him look after the two little buns.Then he nodded with a smile, and said, "Since that's the case, let's just go together."

It didn't take long for the three of them to go shopping with Xue Pan's group, and they regretted it a little.Tu Huang looked at the two little buns in front of him with a bored face. Every time he passed by a street stall or even a shop rental shop, he would go in and ask carefully what they were selling, how much money they were selling, and even asked about their belongings. The place of origin, etc., and even learned how the street people bargained with the shopkeepers, and then bought some items that he regarded as defective products. Some helplessly asked Xue Pan: "Where is your destination, what are you going to do?" ?”

Xue Pan rolled his eyes at Tu Huang, and said, "Didn't I tell you, I'm leading the two young masters to a practical class. Do you really think I'm leading them to play?"

Tu Huang couldn't help laughing, shook his head and asked, "What's the use of this thing, I thought you could come up with some great principles for governing the world!"

"Great principles are used to fool people, not to do things. What have you been doing for so many years that Confucius and Mencius entrusted you?" Xue Pan curled his lips in disdain, shook his head and said: "In my opinion Instead of letting them study hard and be fooled by those sour scholars, it is better to let them get in touch with people's livelihood. At least, when they grow up and do business in the future, they will not be fooled by their subordinates. Know."

Tu Huang was choked by the words, when he was dealing with industrial and commercial miscellaneous taxes, he was fooled because he didn't know the prices of commodities on the market.This matter has become his lifelong laughing stock, Xue Pan, a bastard who has no eyesight, sees him mentioning it again and again, not to mention how annoying it is.

Seeing this, the disciples on the side shook their heads amusedly.I really don't know why Tu Huang had to carry it with Xue Pan for so many years.He can't talk about him, he can't fight hard, he will be confused by others, but he becomes more and more courageous. Every time he meets, he has to go up and talk a little bit, and he can't feel comfortable when he is stabbed. back.

Sure enough, Tu Huang pondered for a moment, then retreated to Tu Teng's side with a look of embarrassment, and said coldly: "My lord does not remember the faults of villains, and does not care about like you."

Xue Pan also sneered pretending to be disdainful, turned his head away arrogantly, and ignored him.Instead, he rushed to the side of the two little princes in three steps and two steps, and analyzed the business paving along the road just now.

"I want to see how well the people of a country are doing. Just look at what's in their bowls, that is to say, just look at the variety of goods on the market, whether the prices are reasonable, and whether the people can afford it. Throughout the ages, whether it is government reform, reform, or inheritance of the old system, the main purpose is to ensure the stability of the court, the people can live and work in peace and contentment, and the majesty of the country can deter the surrounding people from dissenting—this is ultimately for the people to live and work in peace. .”

"Therefore, the development of business is very important."

Xue Pan said, looking at a group of disapproving royals around him, he shrugged and smiled, "It's not that I'm a businessman, so I instilled such ideas in you. It's just that it doesn't matter whether the government governs or the people live. Everyone needs money to support them. And doing business is the fastest way to get money."

"For a good businessman, the benefits won by a single shot will not be less than that of robbers. Even on a bigger scale... Lu Buwei, who was a rare commodity in the Qin Dynasty, and Shen Wansan, who was so rich in the Ming Dynasty, were not all businessmen? Can you say that they created The achievements are not brilliant, not enough to go down in history?"

Everyone nodded thoughtfully.

Xue Pan bowed his head and continued to brag about the importance of doing business to the two princes.In the instillation of his ideas, the difficulty of doing business is no less than that of governing the country, and it is even much more complicated than these.Because a qualified and excellent businessman must have keen insight, precise means and even strong strength to support all his actions.What's more, from a certain point of view, politics and business are not separated.Collusion between government and businessmen has been common since ancient times, and business without political support will definitely not last long.

Therefore, truly keen and foresighted merchants will desperately cater to the imperial court's measures, and while helping the country become more and more prosperous and powerful, they will also make a lot of money for themselves.This is a win-win situation.So there is no need for the imperial court to be so anti-commercial.There is no need to put on a poor air of "everything is inferior but reading is high".It's about letting go of my figure and letting the fat of business be used by me to create greater value.

When Xue Pan said this, he used the most exaggerated and most admirable language to praise the farsightedness and sagacity of today's holy majesty.Then the topic turned to the backstage supporters of the surrounding businesses.

"The Jinxiu cloth shop you entered just now was opened by the second son-in-law of Prince Zhongyu's housekeeper. Therefore, even though the quality of their cloth is average, people still flock to it. You don't have to be surprised, because most of them are also for It’s a familiar face. The political significance is greater than the economic significance. However, I personally don’t agree with this kind of capital-based business operation. I won’t analyze the specific reasons, because it doesn’t seem to be useful at present.”

"The pierliang rice shop in front is a new shop opened last year. I heard that the owner behind their house is the most beloved fourth aunt of the new Admiral Nine Doors. Now it is her who is managing in the shop. Bro. Therefore, although their family opened very late, they have stood firm for a year. Moreover, the shopkeeper of this family is quite business-minded. I think as long as the official title of Lord Nine-door Admiral is not lost, their business will continue to grow The more red flowers."

"That family..."

Xue Pan talked dryly all the way, and basically two hours passed.

The soles of the three feet that followed me all hurt.While beating his lower back indistinctly, Tu Huang suggested, "It's getting late, why don't you find a restaurant and wine shop to sit in. I'm exhausted after walking all afternoon."

Hearing this, Xue Pan looked at Tu Xuan and Tu Yang who looked a little tired, nodded and smiled: "It should be so. Then let's go back to Fuyuan Pavilion! Only the food there is more refined, and I am still used to it."

So everyone got on the carriage and rushed to Fuyuan Hall.The huge carriage seemed a bit crowded because of the three adults, Tu Huang.But it's okay, but the tea time is coming.Xue Pan immediately led everyone out of the car and filed into the Fuyuan Pavilion.

Tian Yangsheng, who was behind the counter, was a little surprised when he saw everyone coming in.After all, Xue Pan rarely came twice in one day.But look at the few princes behind Xue Pan.Tian Yangsheng nodded again with understanding.My little master's obsession with not letting the fat and water flow into outsiders' fields is extraordinary.Presumably, he also ran into three princes when he was out for a stroll, and it was not easy to take them home, so he brought everyone back.

Xue Pan didn't know what was going on in Tian Yangsheng's mind, so he just ordered someone to clean up his private room on the fourth floor, and then told Tian Yangsheng to go to the kitchen to urge vegetables, so they should come first, don't delay.Then he personally led everyone up to the private room on the fourth floor.

this way.He was so busy greeting the two little princes that he naturally didn't notice Prince Zhongdun's frequent glances at Lin Mozhi.But Lin Mozhi was in a bad mood because of Prince Zhongshun, and he didn't care about other things.He would not even notice this Prince Zhongdun who had little contact with him except for the informant at the sticky pole.

On the other hand, Tu Huang and Tu Chou looked at Prince Zhong Dun blindly looking at him but didn't dare to ask a word, looked at each other knowingly, and smiled.