Chen Xi never forced others to do anything, but when it comes to issues related to Hui Niang or Li Jin, he is very stubborn and always influences the two women with his own will, but he just refuses to admit it.

In Shen Xi's opinion, there were many difficulties in the construction of the new city, involving silver and material scheduling, as well as account deficits, etc. However, for the soldiers, craftsmen and civilians below, they did not notice the crisis at all, but instead held high hopes for the future development of the new city.

No one wanted to go to the new city, especially the farmers and businessmen in the wealthy areas of Jiangnan. They had their own little life and would not leave their hometowns and come to the "barren land" like the beach to seek development.

However, land annexation became increasingly serious in the middle of the Ming Dynasty, and many tenants could not make ends meet. In addition, disasters and chaos in the past few years have continued, and there were many more land settlements in the south of the Yangtze River. This time, Chenxi recruited people to build a new city, and the conditions offered were very generous. Some people who could not be tenants and could not find a job came to the new city with hope.

As the superior life in the new city was passed back to its hometown, the people of Jiangnan had a different understanding of this brand new city. Immediately afterwards, Chen Xi sent someone to post a notice, announcing that the government would organize people to reclaim wasteland and allocate it to households. Now more and more people flocked to the new city.

On paper, the population of Xincheng is about 200,000, which is the number of soldiers like craftsmen and migratory birds. However, at this time, the actual population of Xincheng and surrounding areas has exceeded 300,000, which is because the husbands who came to work with their families, a large number of merchants also seized the opportunity to come and do business, as well as refugees from Jiangbei, etc.

Those prisoners of war who migrated from the Central Plains are now settled, and they will become the first batch of industrial workers and take root in various factories, construction sites, municipal construction and other positions in the city.

Locals who are familiar with the environment will become excellent farmers and fishermen, providing sufficient food and catch resources for urban development.

The new city has become the banner of Jiangnan, and many people who live a tight life in surrounding prefectures and counties have also begun to seek development in the new city.

The city is thriving.

At this time, Ma Jiu had returned to the new city. The rapid development of the city no longer required him to recruit civilians, nor did he need to communicate with local governments and ask for supplies. Now there is a constant stream of people coming to the new city to try their luck. There is no shortage of manpower and supplies here, but there is a huge gap in the funds for building the city in the future.

Several thousand-household stations along the Ming Dynasty had resumed operation at this time, and the waterways around the Yangtze River estuary were completely restored to smooth flow. No Japanese pirates dared to cause trouble. The shipping industry flourished with canals and Yangtze River water transportation as the basis, and the materials needed by the new city were continuously sent from the north and south of the Yangtze River.

"...We seem to owe a lot of money to Jiangxi and Huguang now." Tang Yin is currently temporarily supervising the accounts, but it is only the open accounts, and the details are completely invisible. After all, it involves the business empire created by Shen Xi, and he does not understand many situations.

After studying the account book for a few days, Tang Yin finally understood the difficulties facing Xincheng. Chen Xi allocated supplies from Jiangxi and Huguang, and many of them owed local governments and merchants to pay for the goods, especially the Wuchang Industrial Park, which basically took credit.

Chenxidao: "The construction of a new city will always encounter all kinds of troubles, but now we are building textile factories and printing and dyeing factories on both sides of the lower reaches of Wusong River, which are renamed Suzhou River, to produce cotton yarn, cloth and silk in large quantities. I believe that it will take a lot of money to obtain. "

"How many taels of silver can you make?"

Tang Yin disdained Chen Xi's method of making money and said, "If it doesn't work, let's go to Huguang and Jiangxi and tell them about our situation. In short, the construction of the city was the court's money for the construction of the city. The court owed them the payment for the goods. We can't end up collecting debts from us, right?"

Chen Xi did not argue with Tang Yin because Tang Yin didn't know the power of mass production at all, and said, "You don't have to worry about these things for the time being, just take one step at a time!"

Chen Xi’s lack of money does not mean that he has no way to get the money. The silver from Folang Jiren is just one of his many ways to raise funds.

For example, textile factories have adopted advanced spinning machines and weaving machines produced in Wuchang Industrial Park, and the production efficiency of silk and cloth has been doubled. If the textile factories in Wuchang Industrial Park were just small-scale, then Shanghai would definitely make a big fuss. Once the fabric produced was put into the market on a large scale, handicraft workshops in Jiangnan would basically go bankrupt in a short period of time.

On the ninth day of the seventh month, Zhang Yongfengchen rushed to Xincheng. This time he seemed to have carried some important mission, and he looked nervous when he saw Chen Xi.

Chen Xi was receiving Zhang Yong in the newly repaired county government office.

After looking at the office layout of the sofa, coffee table, desk and chair in later generations curiously, Zhang Yong took out a letter from his arms: "Mr. Shen, actually, our family doesn't want to bother you, but this time he had to do so. Your Majesty sent the letter to the garrison palace and asked our family to send you a letter in person... Please read it in detail!"

Chen Xi took the letter and did not rush to open it. Instead, he looked at Zhang Yong and asked, "When will your Majesty need to send a letter privately?"

Zhang Yongdao: "How can we understand Your Majesty's thoughts? However, this time, Your Majesty brought a letter from his father-in-law and also brought a message saying that Your Majesty would visit the new city after the autumn, so the matter had not been made public in the court, so he would send it to Jiangnan by private message. Based on our understanding, Your Majesty reminded Lord Shen to be prepared for the welcome, especially... when you are here, you must build it well."

Chen Xi looked cold and did not answer because he did not support Zhu Houzhao going south.

However, he knew Zhu Houzhao's personality and knew that there were fun things in Jiangnan but he didn't come, so it was no longer Zhu Houzhao, but now it is obviously not a good time to come to the south.

Chen Xi still did not open the letter. From Zhang Yong's explanation, he knew what was going on. It didn't matter whether he looked or not. He immediately shook his head: "Now the sea is not peaceful, and the new city has not even been built. Even if he prepares a place to rest for His Majesty, what if he prepares a place to rest for His Majesty? Seeing the dust and sand in the sky and the busy construction site, and the Japanese pirates looking around, how can we feel at ease?"

"this……"

Zhang Yong looked embarrassed, "Our family doesn't know what to do, but since this letter was sent by our family, we will not stand by. When it comes to welcoming the sage, what is Lord Shen's instructions to do clearly, and our family will definitely help handle it within our ability."

Chen Xi then opened the letter and carefully looked at the contents inside, but found that Zhu Houzhao's intention was to fight Japanese pirates with him, which was a bit overestimated.

In the war against Tatars last year, Chen Xi used Zhu Houzhao. Zhu Houzhao wanted to go to the frontier to enjoy his pleasure, "make achievements" and achieve his reputation as the emperor of the ages, but he returned in a defeat, so he naturally would not be willing to do so. This time he had to come to Jiangnan to find the opportunity to go to the battlefield.

When Chen Xi raised his head again, Zhang Yongzheng looked at him eagerly.

Chen Xidao: "Your Majesty will definitely not go on a tour in a conspicuous manner when you go south. It is very likely that you will mobilize many troops. I am not in the capital and cannot advise you. It is inevitable that you will pass through Nanjing during your tour in the south. Eunuch Zhang will still think about how to welcome the priest in Nanjing. There is no need for you to worry about Eunuch Zhang here."

Zhang Yong seemed a little disappointed: "Mr. Shen doesn't trust our family? In fact, you can hand over the difficult things to do to our family, and even our family won't go back to Nanjing for the time being."

Chen Xi shook his head and said, "The new city is full of construction sites, with flying sand and stones and dust rolling. It is not a place like Eunuch Zhang who stays for a long time. As for his stay, he cannot be built in a short time. Moreover, I don't have that much money in my hand, so I just treat Your Majesty in a proper way as much as possible..."

Zhang Yong thought about it and asked tentatively: "Mr. Shen is short of silver, right? In fact, our family can help you to do something in Nanjing. It should be no problem to raise tens of thousands of taels of silver for Your Majesty... But Mr. Shen, you are doing business with Folang Jiren, and you should not be short of silver. I heard that Folang Jiren will transport several ships of silver to the Ming Dynasty every time, and they have silver..."

Chen Xi smiled and did not answer Zhang Yong's question. He didn't have to discuss with an outsider about the new city construction account.

Chen Xi asked, "Eunuch Zhang is leaving now, or stay for two days?"

Zhang Yong did not expect Chen Xi to ask such a question. He said that Chen Xi was a decree to him. Zhang Yong also knew that he could not fully form an alliance with Chen Xi now, and his relationship with Chen Xi was always in a state of lukewarmness. It seemed that Chen Xi deliberately wanted to draw a clear line with some forces in the court.

Zhang Yongdao: "Since our family is coming to deliver His Majesty's letter, we will naturally have to leave after delivering it. It is not convenient to stay for more. It will only take two days to go back to Nanjing from here... Lord Shen, we will leave overnight, you are busy with yours."

Zhang Yong was very conscious. Chen Xi was wary of him and did not want to discuss the emperor's southern tour with him. He also asked to go back with tactfully.

Chen Xi must keep the courtesy of Zhang Yong, the leader of the small left-behind court in Nanjing, and personally sent him out of the county government. Zhang Lun, Tang Yin and others were waiting outside. They thought that there would be a ceremony to welcome the angels or a dinner party after the meeting, but from Chen Xi and Zhang Yong who came out, they learned that Zhang Yong would not stop and left.

"Eunuch Zhang, why don't you stay for two more days?" Tang Yin asked with a smile.

Zhang Yong smiled and said, "We are busy with family affairs, so we won't disturb you much, and we will always have a chance in the future. Lord Tang has been in high spirits recently. If you have time, remember to get Nanjing and our family will treat you well!"

...

...

Zhang Yong did not stay in the new city for even an hour, and left under the escort of the guards and entourage.

Chen Xi just sent Zhang Yong out of the yamen gate. As for leaving the city, Zhang Lun was escorted by people. Because Zhang Lun was a noble son and a future British Duke, Chen Xi was not the turn of a job in building a city, so he was responsible for helping Chen Xi. He was usually the one who came and sent him.

After all, Zhang Lun has a special identity. No matter who goes to Xincheng, he must be polite when he sees Zhang Lun, even Zhang Yong is no exception. Letting Zhang Lun go to see him off is to let him contact the politicians in the court earlier, which is equivalent to another kind of tempering for Zhang Lun.

"Shangshu Chen, what is the purpose of Eunuch Zhang coming?" Tang Yin followed Chen Xi into the main hall of the yamen and couldn't wait to ask.

Tang Yin and Zhang Lun were waiting outside for a long time, and the two were discussing this issue, but even Tang Yin, who usually claimed to be wise, could not calculate the purpose of Zhang Yong coming. In his opinion, Zhang Yong was a garrison in Nanjing. If there was no major event, it would be unlikely that he would come in person. When he came and left, it was enough to show that Zhang Yong was very purposeful.

Chenxi Road: "About Your Majesty's southern tour of the new city."

"ah?"

Although Tang Yin was not unprepared for this, he still felt incredible after hearing the news. The emperor was going to come to visit the new city without the construction of a good one?

Tang Yin said anxiously: "The sea is not peaceful yet. Your Majesty is coming to supervise the war against the Japanese pirates himself? This matter... has it been made public?"

Even if Tang Yin was not fully enlightened, he understood that Zhu Houzhao would not come to Xincheng for no reason. This place was not a rich place. The emperor should go to Yangzhou, Nanjing, and Suzhou. After all, those places are the political, economic and cultural centers of Jiangnan. It is very consistent with the emperor's playful personality. Only by being in it can you have fun.

If you come to Xincheng directly, it goes without saying that the emperor is in order to participate in the next battle to eliminate the Japanese pirates.

Chen Xidao: "Your Majesty has not informed the officials of the court of law. I don't know how many people are in the matter now, but no one here knows it except you and me. I think Eunuch Zhang himself will not talk nonsense."

"Can Eunuch Zhang tell the difference?"

Tang Yin did not respect Zhang Yong so much. It was not the first time he met Zhang Yong. He had been with him for a few months outside the border and knew Zhang Yong's petty personality very well.

Chen Xi sighed: "Your Majesty is coming, we have to welcome you. In fact, there is nothing shameful here, but if Your Majesty wants to personally supervise the battle against Japanese pirates, I will never agree. It is about Your Majesty's safety. There will be many accidents in the naval battle. Moreover, Your Majesty is not proficient in water. How can you adapt to the environment here when you come to Jiangnan?"

Tang Yin was stunned and wanted to ask, how did you, Shen Zhihou, know that the emperor was not good at water?

However, out of politeness, Tang Yin stopped and did not ask questions about this question again.

Chen Xidao: "If Your Majesty really wants to come, it is obviously not enough to live in the inn. You have to build an independent courtyard. So, you can draw a building in the commercial port area on the Suzhou River as your Majesty's temporary residence."

"Ah... those buildings are too cramped, right?"

Tang Yin thought about the environment there as much as possible. The row of two-story buildings was built near the Huangpu River. Each building covers an area of ​​about one acre and is equipped with a garden of about one acre. It was originally rented or sold to Folangji merchants, but those Folangji merchants were more willing to live in hotels opened by the government, which could easily obtain commercial information from the Ming Dynasty. However, the big landlords and merchants from Nanjing and Suzhou purchased some.

Although such a small building is already very good for ordinary people, it is obviously unqualified for the emperor.

Chen Xi looked low: "Your Majesty will set off after the autumn is coming. Maybe you will arrive in Jiangnan before mid-August to early September. How to build a standardized place in a short time? And Your Majesty may not stay in the new city for too long. It is not worth building a palace group for this purpose. Your Majesty did not emphasize in his letter that it must be built, so Brother Bohu doesn't need to worry about neglecting the Holy Driving."

"Of course there is no need to remind you about this, but if you can do it within your ability, you should be more secure. You can't spend much money. We can find a way to enclose several buildings and add more scenery and entertainment facilities. After all, there are so many craftsmen, it's easy to do anything..."

Tang Yin seemed to be very concerned about welcome to the sage and offered to create a good living environment for Zhu Houzhao. However, after discovering that Chen Xi was looking at him with a strange look, he immediately stopped talking.

Chen Xi smiled and said, "It seems that Brother Bo Hu is very concerned about welcomeing the priest. Why not do this? Leave this matter to you, what do you think?"

“How does this make?”

Tang Yin thought Chen Xi would assign him some errands. When he heard Chen Xi's words, he felt a sense of longing and excitement, fear and timidity...

Tang Yin has been in court for less than a year and half of them followed Chen Xi to quell the chaos. For an old man like him who is about to be confused about his career, he will know his career prospects all depends on whether Chen Xi and the emperor appreciate him. Of course, he will care a lot about welcoming the sage.

Chen Xi smiled brightly and encouraged: "It is really hard to reassure others' responsibility, but if it is Brother Bo Hu, I can rest assured. Brother Bo Hu doesn't need to refuse, you must do this!"

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