On June 27, the sixth year of Tianqi, Jin Shiqi went to Liuzhou Prefecture with a small army of officers and a small purchasing group.

The accompanying officers were all from Longwu Navy, including the two captains of Longze and Wuteng, as well as several ship chiefs and boat captains from the middle and right camps, all of whom were powerful figures. Jin Shiqi did not want to go alone. When "Liuzhou Shuiying" went to work, he had to arrange for his own people.

As for the members of the "Purchasing Group", they are the craftsmen and procurement teams responsible for the design and construction of the new city of "Treasure Port". Together with the guards and servants, they escorted thousands of taels of silver under the banner of "Nandan Guard". They headed north to Liuzhou in a mighty way. Qianjiang was originally the county seat of Liuzhou, and it was 180 miles away from "Liuzhou Mansion". The road was full of plains and low hills. They rode horses and drove for three days, and finally arrived on the 30th day Arrive at the bank of Liujiang River.

The Liujiang River forms a "U"-shaped bend here, and the protruding "peninsula" is "Maping County", the seat of Liuzhou Prefecture. Although it is only a county seat, not a prefectural city like Suzhou and Hangzhou, Maping is thousands of miles away. A large county with 100,000 residents, is much more prosperous than Qianjiang County.

Liuzhou is famous for its timber production. As expected, many large boats carrying timber can be seen on the river, and some timber is bundled into rafts and carried down the river. The south bank of Liujiang River is densely covered with villages, towns and docks. When we arrived at the ferry, we saw dozens of barges docked there. On the shore, people were moving goods, renting boats, waiting to cross the river, bargaining, and catching thieves to collect debts. It was a lively scene.

Jin Shiqi and his party did not need to negotiate the price with anyone. They were "military vehicles." They parked directly next to the two largest empty boats and shouted: "Is it a boat crossing the river? Come down, the military master has chartered this boat."

The boatmen didn't dare to talk nonsense, so they hurriedly set up the bridge and led the horses and vehicles onto the deck. A group of people were sitting on the boat, and they all hurriedly got off the boat to escape, for fear of provoking the evil spirit. There was only one person sitting alone on the side of the boat. The young man looked angry and said in a low voice: "What a world, even animals are on board!"

The scholar was wearing a white shirt and had a thin figure. He also had a small sword on his waist. His face also had a look of determination and determination. The boss of the ship next to him hurriedly begged him for mercy: "Oh, Guo Xiucai, please forgive me. Yeah, don’t talk nonsense.”

But Guo Xiucai's words had already drifted to the ears of Jin Shiqi and his gang. Several fierce military masters immediately changed their faces, and the servant Jin Cai even raised his arms.

"Don't bother me." Jin Shiqi patted Jin Cai and walked straight to the front with his younger brother. He thought to himself that this scholar was wearing a sword and was dressed so elegantly. Could it be that he had martial arts? Even if he didn't know martial arts, Spreading the evil deeds of me, Jin Shiqi, with a sharp mouth is worse than stabbing me directly with a sword.

Jin Shiqi and his party took dozens of carriages and horses, most of which had to stay on the south bank. Only the most important four carriages and ten horses were dragged on board. The horses were also blindfolded to prevent them from being frightened. The soldiers deliberately moved the horses He took it to Guo Xiucai and rubbed it on him with a smelly smell.

Unexpectedly, the scholar got into a bad temper and stayed on the boat. He didn't dare to get angry, so his face was livid with anger and he muttered: If there is a first-come, first-served basis, why should I let you! The boss of the boat advised him not to cause trouble, then The scholar nailed his butt to the side of the ship and refused to move. Until finally Jin Shiqi said: "One more person is not too much, let's sail the ship!"

Jin Shiqi only took his younger brother and housekeeper Sun to stand at the bow of the boat, watching the scenery and terrain on both sides of the river. They were riding a large boat that was rarely seen on the Liujiang River. It was five feet long, with four rowers at the front and rear, and a mast on the deck.

You can also hang the sail when the wind is favorable. Jin Shiqi learned from the boat boss that this was an "80-material" river ship that could carry 300 shi of grain under the deck.

"Material" refers to the amount of wood used in shipbuilding. In ancient times, it was customary to estimate the size, carrying capacity and price of a ship. But this big ship was not built in Liuzhou. The ship owner said that Liuzhou's business has been bleak in recent decades, and several ships

The workshops built only small boats, and the craftsmanship gradually fell into disuse. Nowadays, large ships of this kind, with nearly a hundred materials, are built in Guangzhou, costing 400 taels of silver each.

Jin Shiqi asked some more about the local situation, the price of lumber, where there are shipyards, where you can stay, where there are tooth dealers and compradors, who is honest and who is cunning, all in detail. Then he asked the county school and

The location of the library.

As he was talking, Guo Xiucai couldn't stand the smell of horses and moved to the windward side. When he heard that Jin Shiqi was asking the local literati, of course the ship's boss couldn't help but giggle when he asked. Jin Shiqi said, "It's a pity that this is the place."

It's a cultural desert..." Guo Xiucai was naturally angry and anxious when he heard this, but it was a pity that he couldn't interrupt because of the unpleasantness just now.

Jin Shiqi turned the topic back to the shipyard in Liuzhou and asked the ship owner to take him to visit tomorrow. The reward would naturally be large. The ship owner hurriedly agreed and asked the official his surname and title.

"My surname is Jin." He suddenly wanted to tease the scholar, so he said, "I am a scholar."

As expected, Guo Xiucai took the bait. His eyes lit up and his face was full of disbelief. "Mr. Jin, it's a pleasure to meet you!" Guo Xiucai walked over and cupped his hands, "Liuzhou is a small city and we are all friends. I dare to ask Brother Jin,

In which year and in which government was the person elected?"

"It's Shuntian Prefecture (North Zhili)." Jin Shiqi returned the greeting with his hand, "A certain person was not talented and failed repeatedly. It was not until the fourth year of the Apocalypse that he was lucky enough to win." What he said was conclusive, but a group of officers around him were inexplicable.

I heard that Jin Qianhu was born in Juzi. Only his younger brother, servants and others knew the details, so he couldn't help but burst out laughing.

Guo Xiucai was even more confused when he saw the strange faces of those people, thinking that he must be bragging. "Oh? I wonder if Brother Jin remembers the questions of the provincial examination that year?"

"So what if you remember? Brother Guo still wants to take the exam on the spot?"

“The river is wide and the boat is slow, so it’s not a bad idea to have some exchanges.”

"It's nothing more than military tactics, riding horses, dancing with spears, drawing bows and arrows, and playing with swords. I wonder what brother is good at?" As soon as Jin Shiqi finished speaking, the officers laughed. It turned out that what Jin Qianhu said was "Martial Arts Examiner"

", to tease the scholar.

"Martial arts exams...can they be considered as people's exams?" Guo Xiucai sneered, "I'm just being rude!"

Suddenly, Jin Shipeng, who was standing next to him, said softly: "Wan Sheng remembers the rural examination policy question of Shuntian Prefecture the year before last. The question said: 'The wealth of a country depends on the number of horses, and the number of horses is important.' I wonder if it is?"

Guo Xiucai was stunned. This question was indeed correct. Jin Shiqi even smiled and said: "Okay, count the horses...what is this question about?"

The younger brother hurriedly answered, "As for the question under the title: In today's country, when horses are produced, internally they are used to herd the people, and externally they are used to control the barbarians with tea. This method is also inherited from the previous generation, and the disadvantages of horse administration have been extreme to this day.

I would like to take these two methods and stir them up, so that the country will not be harmed above and the people will be harmed below. Horses are enough, what can I do?"

Shipeng's voice was clear and crisp, and half of the men on the boat were as bright as listening to fairy music. Guo Xiucai also secretly admired it. Every three years, once the provincial examinations are held, the questions from each province are spread throughout the country within a month.

, all the scholars would pass it around to write questions, how could Guo Xiucai not know about it. He even praised this little boy for being really amazing. He could only roughly remember the questions, but he could recite them word for word, but he didn't have the ability to do so.

.

Jin Shiqi was also surprised: he had thought that the Eight-part Examination would only test boring economics about mountains and rivers, but he did not expect that the topics would be current affairs, strategy, and military affairs, which aroused his interest. Jin Shiqi asked Guo Xiucai

He raised his hand and said, "Excellent! Now I have to ask you, sir, how to answer this question?"

Jin Shiqi's original intention was to understand the literati's reply methods. However, Guo Xiucai thought it was a test for him, and he suddenly became arrogant. He pondered for a moment, then opened his mouth and said: "Things in the world are constantly changing, and those who are good at dealing with the world are not more valuable than being able to adapt, but being able to adapt to the situation."

You can prevent it from changing." This scholar is indeed very knowledgeable, and he can talk endlessly. Even though he has seen this question and taken a "mock test" before, his smooth thinking is amazing.

Jin Shiqi was also very impressed at first, but as he listened, he felt a little bored: This scholar just introduced the topic with "Ma Zheng", and then turned the topic to how to prevent "changes in the way of heaven". The reason is nothing more than: various

The shortcomings stem from the lack of morality, lack of discipline, and the inability to surrender to the distant barbarians, which leads to disorder. The scholar talks like a lotus, but what he says is just the clichés in the book.

This method of solving the problem is actually a trick. Just like no matter what the disease is, quacks can explain it with the phrase "kidney deficiency", and then prescribe some prescriptions to nourish the kidney and strengthen the root. This is a strategy that remains unchanged in response to changes.

Very nonsense.

Jin Shiqi was very disappointed. He turned his head and looked at the river, counting "one fish, two fish..." in his heart, hoping that the scholar would shut up as soon as possible.

Suddenly, Guo Xiucai's voice weakened and then stopped.

"Huh, it's finally over." Jin Shiqi was about to say goodbye to him with a few perfunctory words, but he saw the scholar clenching his teeth and looking depressed. He was talking very happily just now, so why did he get stuck?

"That's all!" Guo Xiucai said with a low face, "I am rambling in my entire article, which is insulting to the listener and makes me laugh." He cupped his hand and retreated to the back.

"Huh? Are you angry now?" Jin Shiqi asked in surprise.

But Guo Xiucai looked very disappointed. He looked at the river alone in a daze, thinking about his thoughts.

Jin Shiqi couldn't help but ask: "You want to jump into the river?"

"No." The scholar underestimated, turned around and did not look at the river, only stroking the smelly horses beside him with his hands. As if some heartstrings were touched, he suddenly let out a long sigh. Jin Shiqi secretly thought that this guy probably read too many books.

My mind was overwhelmed and I fell into biased emotions.

Guo Xiucai suddenly came over again, lowered his head and said to the young Shi Peng: "Brother Fool has been studying for ten years in vain, and what he said just now is all empty talk. It was 'acting in response to the question', but not 'answering in response to the policy'.

'. Little brother, you are born with wisdom and you are also a scholar. I hope you can seek truth in the future. If you seek truth, don't imitate me."

As soon as he said this, the child Shipeng was at a loss. Jin Shiqi secretly said that he was good, thinking that you, scholar, have gained enlightenment, why not follow me in practice...

"Brother Guo is too modest. I think you are right." Jin Shiqi said with a smile, "This dynasty has the benefits of farming, and there are grasslands outside the Great Wall where horses can be bred, so exchanging tea for horses is in compliance with... the natural law of the division of labor.

, this is the best policy. Although forcing farmers to raise horses is against the rules, it is not a bad idea if the laws and regulations are clear. This is the middle policy. In addition to these two methods, this dynasty also confiscated horses from various villages in southern Xinjiang, causing serious harm.

, it’s a bad strategy. To this day, why do these three strategies, the upper, middle and lower strategies, not work? In fact, Brother Guo has already given the answer.”

"You're talking about me?" Guo Xiucai said in shock.

"That's right!" Jin Shiqi patted his younger brother on the shoulder, "Third brother, what this Mr. Guo means is: the pain of Ma Zheng is actually the disease of the country. The shortcomings of Ma Zheng are just manifestations. In the final analysis, the disease of the country is terminal. Naturally, all the diseases in the body are

Everywhere... all diseases are reborn."

Guo Xiucai waved his hands quickly: "I didn't mean that!"

"Discussing horses is like treating a sore foot, but it cannot cure the root cause of the disease in the heart and lungs. But how can the common people talk about Chao Gang's stubborn disease? Although this scholar has good ideas, he is afraid of troubles that may come his way, so he can only

To deal with it with the words of moral decay, it is really helpless! Brother Guo, I understand you!"

Guo Xiucai was so frightened that he waved his hands hurriedly: "That's not what I meant!"

"You said it well. Even if the emperor has a good strategy, if he doesn't have good ministers to implement it, it will be in vain. As you said, 'it is more valuable than being able to prevent it.' The thing to guard against is not the politics itself, but the people who are in charge at all levels.

Brother Guo, you know a lot!"

"I don't understand!" Guo Xiucai shouted and hurriedly backed away, feeling that it was too scary. The political situation at the moment was dangerous, and anyone who listened to this explanation would be punished.

Poor Na Shipeng's mind was spinning, and it took him a while to come back to his senses: "Brother, I don't think Mr. Guo meant this either."

"You are right!" Guo Xiucai said hurriedly.

"That's because you are a shallow learner!" Jin Shiqi said with a smile. "Sir, you are very advanced."

Guo Xiucai's face turned pale, knowing that he had encountered a tough situation. He pondered for a long time and decided to launch a counterattack, "Brother, after what you said, it seems that you have a good plan to deal with it. I wonder if you can give me some advice."

"Yes, yes. But it is also a helpless move." Jin Shiqi thought for a long time and finally said: "The way of heaven is to make up for the deficiencies when there is more than enough damage. This is why the virtual defeats the real, and the deficiency is more than enough. The same is true for countries."

Everyone opened their mouths, these words were too profound for them to understand.

Jin Shiqi secretly said, "How cool!" He continued: "The difficulties of horse administration are actually the failure of human government. Horse administration, salt administration, tea administration, mining administration, and customs defense are all for the private use of bureaucrats to make profits at every level. A century-old disease has been eliminated."

"Making up for deficiencies" is definitely not about changing the function in a few years. The foolproof strategy is to skip this step and buy it as a 'horse user' and raise it!"

Jin Shiqi looked at his younger brother, "If money, food, tea, and horses are rolled over in the hands of hundreds of officials, nine out of ten will not be saved. If all the tea consumed by Yi Ma every year is handed over to... well, for example, let Wu Xiang handle it, that old bastard,

If he eats half of it, he can still spit out at least half of the horses. If the horse breeding land is given to me, even if I appropriate half of it, the remaining half will definitely be a galloping horse. Because both Wu Xiang and I are both

As people who really use horses, although we are not noble and selfless, we can maintain a bottom line. Third brother, if I ask what a good strategy is, this is what Brother Yu said. But this strategy cannot be used as a scientific examination answer sheet, do you understand?"

The younger brother thought for a moment and nodded, "Understood!"

Jin Shiqi patted his head and said, "Be good!"

The man next to him, Guo Xiucai, also nodded, but then he shook his head: "Brother, what you said makes sense. But by acting like this, the imperial court will decentralize its money and loosen its powers and responsibilities, which will eventually lead to the sealing of borders!"
Chapter completed!