The Ming Dynasty started with caution

Yan Chengjin didn't expect that the price of silk had only doubled.

These days, Zhou Yu and the Zhang brothers have been buying silk in the capital.

The three of them were very stingy. At such a low price, they could make at least ten taels of silver by reselling silk.

If there were no other gentry buying silk, the three of them probably wouldn't want to raise the price by a penny.

The silk woven in Liangxiang will be sold directly to the Western Regions, without middlemen making a profit.

When Yan Chengjin walked into the Liangxiang government office, Zhang Xian came up to him and said, "Sir, the gentry of the Chamber of Commerce want to reinvest. I calculated that there are about 150,000 taels of silver."

The amount was too large, so he felt it necessary to report it to Yan Chengjin.

Yan Chengjin estimated that the gentry had taken out all their family assets.

"This official keeps his word and cannot make an exception."

Zhang Xian nodded. Before he spoke, he knew that this would be the result.

The next moment, Yan Chengjin said, "But they can invest in the tea business."

After the opening of the Northwest Silk Road, another profitable business is tea.

Northwest nomads eat beef and mutton, which makes them very sick and they need tea to relieve the greasiness.

Buying land in Jiangnan and Fujian requires a lot of silver, which is just right for the Liangxiang Chamber of Commerce to join.

Back to the mansion, it was already dinner time.

In the main hall, not long after Yan Chengjin sat down, the Chunxiao sisters led the servants to bring the dishes.

He Neng walked in quickly and whispered, "Master, the Li family invites you to the mansion for a banquet."

"What's the happy event in the Li family?"

Could it be that Li Zhaoxian is back?

Yan Chengjin ruled out this possibility. It would take at least three to five months for a large ship to come back from Hainan.

Li Zhaoxian's weak physique might have died on the way.

"I heard from the visitor that this is a farewell banquet for Lord Yang Yiqing, and Lord Yang wants to see you."

Yan Chengjin would naturally not go. It was dark, and he would not go out.

"If you don't go, just say that the young master has eaten."

He Neng looked embarrassed. Lord Li knew the young master's temper and asked him to bring another message.

"Young master, Lord Li said that if you don't go, he and Lord Yang will come to our house for a banquet..."

Yan Chengjin snorted coldly. His father-in-law was really shameless!

Knowing that he would not go, he forced him with this.

Li Dongyang was famous for his strategy in the cabinet, and he really came to the house.

This shows that Yang Yiqing really wanted to see him.

Yan Chengjin picked up the chopsticks and said to He Neng: "Go and invite Lord Xiao Wang."

Lord Xiao Wang was Wang Shouren. In the young master's protection list, only Lord Da Wang and Lord Xiao Wang were useful.

Not long after, Wang Shouren came to the house.

"Brother Gao, what do you want to see me for?"

Yan Chengjin was full, put down his chopsticks and stood up: "I invite you to the Li Mansion for a banquet."

Wang Shouren lowered his head slightly, saw through his thoughts, and said: "Brother Gao wants me to protect him, just say it directly..."

Yan Chengjin agreed: "Bo'an, in the capital, I only trust you."

Wang Shouren knew that Brother Gao also said the same thing to Lord Wang Yue, and he couldn't take it seriously.

However, he didn't expose it.

Yan Chengjin sat in the sedan chair, wondering what Yang Yiqing wanted to see him for?

Arriving at Li's Mansion,

Yan Chengjin and Wang Shouren walked into the mansion and followed the servants to the main hall of Li's Mansion.

In the hall, Li Dongyang and Yang Yiqing were drinking wine. Yang Yiqing was a little drunk: "Half an hour has passed, and this kid hasn't come yet!

My foolish student went to Hainan, and his life or death is uncertain. Now, I have to go to the northwest to suppress bandits.

Humph! This kid is so hateful that he demoted us two out of the capital.

I made great contributions in Yuanma Temple and thought I could be transferred back to the capital.

Now, I don't know when I can return to the capital."

Li Dongyang sighed: "I told you a long time ago not to impeach this boy. Although this boy is a small censor, he acts very cautiously. Your Majesty also has some selfish feelings for him."

While the two were talking, the servant came in to report that Yan Chengjin had arrived.

Li Dongyang raised his head slightly and saw Yan Chengjin coming with Wang Shouren.

Wang Shouren saluted the two adults.

Yan Chengjin stood far away and said politely, "Mr. Li and Mr. Yang want to see me for something?"

Yang Yiqing patted the brocade stool beside him and said, "Come here, I won't beat you."

I believe your ghost...

Yan Chengjin touched his belly and said, "I have already eaten. If you have something to say, just ask me."

Li Dongyang said with a dark face, "No need to be so cautious. Come here quickly."

Yan Chengjin and Wang Shouren walked over and sat down.

Yang Yiqing stared at him and said, "How do you know that I am familiar with horse politics?"

When he interacted with Li Dongyang and others, he only talked about poetry and prose, not horse politics.

So, Li Dongyang and others didn't know that he was actually well versed in horse politics.

This kid just met him once, how could he know that he was a talent that was not appreciated.

In the northwest, although he had to sleep in the open air to suppress bandits, it was better than raising horses.

Yan Chengjin understood in his heart that Yang Yiqing asked him to come to the banquet for this matter.

Of course...it was said in the history books.

"The Censorate has not investigated your background. Lord Yang, go and fight the bandits. It's getting dark. I'm going back to the mansion."

Yang Yiqing looked strange. This guy is just like what he investigated. He doesn't go out after dark.

The capital is the safest place in the world.

At night, there are people from the Wucheng Bingmasi patrolling.

Since the refugees went to Liangxiang, thefts and robberies in the capital have decreased a lot.

"You haven't told me yet, how did you know?"

"I guessed that if Lord Yang couldn't control the bandits in Shaanxi, the Shaanxi Provincial Inspector would have impeached him long ago.

However, the official went through the sparse memorials sent back by the imperial censor of Shaanxi Province, and there was no mention of Ma Zheng.

From this point of view, the racecourse is very stable under the management of Mr. Yang. "Yan Chengjin boasted.

Wang Shouren and Li Dongyang nodded. It turned out that this was what he had deduced.

Yang Yiqing was relieved.

Yan Chengjin stood up and said goodbye.

…………

In a blink of an eye, the new year is over.

Xie Mansion,

Since participating in the invention of the flying shuttle loom, Li Zhao would come to see Xie Pi every now and then.

He found that the equipment in Xie Pi's room was extremely novel.

Especially the latest astronomical telescope, the moon can be seen very clearly.

You can also see Yan Chengjinxing.

It is said that Yan Chengjin Star is the first star observed since the invention of astronomical telescopes.

There is also Xiao Zhu Xiucai Xing.

It is the second star observed.

Xie Pi said to Li Zhaofan: "There is still one month left for the Liangxiang Engineer Examination. You must prepare well."

During this period, Xie Pi taught Li Zhaofan all the science he had learned.

As a result, Li Zhaofan made rapid progress.

Li Zhaofan cupped his hands and said, "The student union will go all out."

…

Forbidden City, Dong Nuan Pavilion,

Emperor Hongzhi summoned the cabinet and Jiuqing, and his eyes fell on Li Dongyang.

"The general examination is coming soon. Which of you will be the examiner?"

The talent selection ceremony is the most important event in the court, and the selection of the examiner is related to the selection of talents.

Usually held by officials of the Ministry of Rites, officials of the Zhanshifu, and cabinet bachelors.

Xie Qian was the first to take a step forward: "Xie Pi, my son, is a candidate for this examination. I cannot take up the post."

Emperor Hongzhi nodded.

Liu Jian and Ma Wensheng were old and couldn't bear it. Li Dongyang raised his head slightly and said, "Why don't you let me do it?"

Zhang Sheng, the Minister of Rites, said: "I am with Duke Li."