Ma Hongzhongshun came to discuss business matters with his partners. Ma Xi was worried about him and wanted to accompany him.
"Businessmen stink of copper. It doesn't matter if my father stinks. I won't let you get involved."
Ma Hongzhong resolutely refused to let him go. Before leaving, he asked: "Are you really sure about this imperial examination?"
Maxi thought for a moment and said, "There should be!"
"Should it?" Ma Hongzhong thought about the fact that the most outstanding scholars in Guanzhong did not dare to say yes, but it would not hurt his son's self-confidence, so he said: "It's a good student to learn."
After leaving the Imperial College, Ma Hongzhong went to find his business partner Shang Yue.
Shang Yue is in his forties and looks quite stable.
"Why are you here in Chang'an?" Shang Yue went out to greet him with a smile, "Come on, let's talk at home."
"I came to see my son and talk to you about something."
The two of them went in to serve tea, and Ma Hongzhong said: "I have recently sent people to investigate everywhere. Last year, slaves were released everywhere. Those slaves either took out loans to buy land for farming, or did small business, or went to do other things...
…There are suddenly a lot more goods needed everywhere…”
"Speaking of which, although your Majesty's move is a bit cruel to the rich and powerful, it is good for businessmen." Shang Yue said with a smile, "I am not mocking you."
"Haha!" Ma Hongzhong chuckled, "Businessmen from all over the country are expanding their business, so there are more and more goods exchanged. But the original carriage and horse shop was smaller, and the good and bad were mixed. I thought that we would just do the carriage and horse business. But
, If we want to do something, we must be big, and we must be eye-catching at the same time..."
"In a few years, the business of the carriage and horse shop will definitely be booming, but what about a few years later? After this group of slaves have settled down, the flow of goods will inevitably decrease. Old horse, the carriage and horse shop has invested a lot. Think about it, pulling a cart
Horses, carriages, hired coachmen...the cost of raising horses, and a group of guards, otherwise we encounter thieves halfway and lose both people and goods. If the business is deserted in a few years, we can't afford to pay for it!"
Shang Yue was a little worried.
Ma Hongzhong smiled and said, "Are you just worried about what will happen in the future?"
"To be honest with you, brother, His Majesty is too ruthless and his attitude towards our wealthy businessmen is not very friendly. I am worried that it will be more and more difficult to do business in the future."
"I am different from you." Ma Hongzhong said: "You see His Majesty's ruthless methods, but what I see is that His Majesty behaves politely and appropriately. In terms of suppressing the powerful Guanzhong clan, has Your Majesty ever violated the law and the overall situation?"
Shang Yue shook his head, "It's impeccable."
"It stands to reason that Your Majesty would like to bring down the rich and powerful people in Guanzhong, but why did he keep us? Isn't it because the rules don't allow it? If Your Majesty can act under pressure, you are a wise king!"
Ma Hongzhong said confidently: "I am confident that this business will get better and better. Don't believe it? Think about Northern Xinjiang and Taiping."
At the mention of peace, Shang Yue perked up.
Taiping has now become the commercial pearl of the North and is also a gathering place for workshops.
Some people say that the commercial tax in Taiping County can crush the commercial tax in Chang'an.
"Then..." Shang Yue pondered.
After a long while, he slapped his thigh and said, "That's it!"
"Ha ha ha ha!"
Ma Hongzhong laughed loudly, "Hurry up and get some food and drinks. You and I will get drunk together today."
The two of them were in a good mood and drank happily. After a while, Shang Yue's eyes turned red after drinking, and he asked: "It seems that your son is in the Imperial College? In the future, if you have nothing to do, let him come home to talk to me. I will treat him as him."
Raise half a son."
"I don't need you to raise my son." Ma Hongzhong said with a smile: "Da Lang is preparing to take the imperial examination in the spring."
"Oh! Remember he was about to go to the Imperial College not long ago, right? It's a little early." Shang Yue took a piece of lung slices. This is a dish from Shu. After Shu was conquered by the emperor, the emperor once said: Shu people are optimistic and have good health.
If you are brave, you should not be trapped in a corner. Later I will have people rebuild the Shu Road so that the Shu people can travel all over the world.
These words greatly encouraged the people of Shu, and many people immediately followed the emperor's triumphant army to the inland. Many people found jobs in Chang'an. For example, the Shang Yue family hired a cook from Shu to cook
Shang Yue was quite satisfied with the dishes and even had his wages increased twice.
Ma Hongzhong was not happy when he heard it, "Da Lang is outstanding in academics. He will definitely pass this subject."
"Haha!" Shang Yue said with a smile: "If he can pass, I will give you half of the stock!"
Judging from the scale of investment that the two are prepared to invest, the benefits brought by half a share are not small.
"It's a deal!" Ma Hongzhong raised his glass.
Shang Yue looked at him sideways, "What about you?"
"This..." Ma Hongzhong hesitated. Although he loved his son, he also knew that Ma Xi's studies were not as good as those whose families were well-educated.
"Why, you don't dare?" Shang Yue teased.
In the past, Ma Hongzhong would definitely have realized that this was a way to provoke the generals, but today he drank too much wine, and with a rush of blood, he slapped the eucalyptus table and said, "If you can't do it, I will give you half the chance!"
"A word from a gentleman!" Shang Yue raised his hand and leaned his body towards Ma Hongzhong.
"Hurry up and whip your horse!"
Snap!
The two high-fived each other and made an oath!
That day, Ma Hongzhong was extremely drunk. After returning to Nilv, he slept until dawn the next day.
He covered his forehead, and the conversation with Shang Yue yesterday went out in fragments. After drinking a few cups of hot tea, those memories were slowly connected together.
"Half shares?"
Ma Hongzhong slapped his forehead and said, "Shang Yue is using this method to provoke the general, like a dog!"
But once a word is spoken, it must be hard to follow.
Ma Hongzhong sighed, "This is the first lesson the businessman taught me!"
Before returning home, the father and son went out to eat, but Ma Hongzhong never mentioned the matter.
"Take the exam well!" Ma Hongzhong left.
The atmosphere in the Imperial College before the exam is very intense.
The Tang Dynasty had a huge territory, and many candidates had to follow local officials to Chang'an several months in advance. Compared with them, the students at the Imperial College were waiting for work.
Maxi is studying hard, while the upper echelons of the Imperial College are planning for the future.
"Your Majesty means that Datang will go out in the future, and while going out, publicity must keep up."
Ning Yayun had just returned from the palace and brought the emperor's instructions to the Imperial College.
"What do you mean?" An Ziyu asked.
"Your Majesty has received the news, and Luoluo seems to be ready to make a move. Don't you know your Majesty's temperament? Whoever dares to show his teeth to Datang, he will not only knock out that person's teeth, but also rush into that person's home and fight until they let him go
That person no longer has the ability to threaten Datang."
"To be able to describe the destruction of the country in such a fresh and refined way, the master's cultivation is even more remarkable." An Ziyu spun the ruler around her fingertips, with a hint of ridicule in her eyes amidst the whistling sound.
"Ahem!" Lao Shuaiguo coughed dryly, "Your Majesty said that if you want to be harmonious and make money, you must convince people with virtue. Do business first. While doing business, someone must also pay attention to the culture of the Tang Dynasty. Pay attention, it is culture, and
It’s not about ability, someone has to spread Tang culture to various places.”
"What does this mean?" Everyone was puzzled.
"Your Majesty, what do you call this...cultural influence?"
"Okay, it's also an errand." An Ziyu said: "Going out of the Tang Dynasty to do such a thing is full of dangers. If those nobles know about it, they will definitely not send their children here again. Good thing."
As for metaphysics... Look at the way the professors’ eyes are shining, it’s obvious they are all flocking to them!
"Headmaster, I want to go!"
"Yes! How can we stand idle against such a thing?"
These sticks all want to go out and travel. As for danger, where is there no danger in this world?
"Aren't you afraid of death?" Ning Yayun asked.
"Don't be afraid!"
"There must be a reason for such enthusiasm!"
"Isn't this traveling with public funds? Master, you are spending money to dig around. We want to go out for a walk, but the little money you gave us can't even afford food. If this is arranged by the Central Government, it will definitely not be possible.
Short of money.”
"That is true, otherwise Your Majesty would not have the honor to enter the Imperial College again in the future."
"Exactly!"
An Ziyu was a little confused and asked slowly: "Headmaster, do you feel uneasy?"
Ning Yayun nodded, "Your Majesty seems to have lit a fire within metaphysics."
…
"Light the fire from the hollow point!"
In the harem, the emperor was teaching Li Laoer how to light a fire.
"It needs to be empty down there!"
"Oh!" Li Laoer took a piece of firewood and poked it under the pile of firewood and picked it up.
Freshly lit fires were flying everywhere.
The emperor had black lines all over his head, while Li Laoer looked innocent.
The prince was laughing beside him.
Fugui had a piece of firewood on his forehead and was barking.
The swordsman distanced himself from it disdainfully, but actually he was a little afraid of Mars.
The queen covered her mouth and said with a smile: "Stop fussing, lest someone shout for help."
"I'm teaching Erlang how to survive in the wilderness!"
The emperor turned around angrily.
I originally wanted to teach you how to cook barbecue, but that was no longer necessary. The queen ordered the kitchen to prepare roasted lamb, which was so tender that it was tempting to eat.
During the meal, the emperor asked the prince about his homework and his views on the imperial examination.
"Most of the people who pass the imperial examination every year are children from well-established families. I think... it's not good." The prince had followed the emperor for a long time, and he had many ideas in common with the emperor.
"Yes!" The emperor put down Kuaizi and said with a faint look in his eyes: "The imperial examination was supposed to give the lower class a chance to rise to the next level, but instead it became a carnival for the children of carnivores. This goes against the original intention of the imperial examination."
"Aye, those families are well-educated. Even if their education is not very good, they are rich and powerful and can hire smart teachers for their children. In this way, most of the people who pass the imperial examination are naturally their children."
This is contrary to the emperor's political philosophy of suppressing powerful families.
"Think slowly." Seeing that the father and son were thinking, the queen quickly interrupted, "The meat is almost cold."
"Oh!" The emperor smiled, "Eat and eat! I have already arranged this matter."
After dinner, someone came to report.
"Someone is collecting the body of Chunyu family."
"Give it to them." The emperor didn't think whipping the corpse could relieve his hatred.
On the second day, Liu Qing went to the palace alone to see the emperor and asked for instructions regarding this year's imperial examination.
"How many candidates will be taking the imperial examination this year?" the emperor asked.
"The imperial examination was suspended last year, but this year there are more and more people."
Last spring the emperor suspended the imperial examinations on the grounds that many candidates could not arrive in time due to the war.
"Most of those candidates have arrived in Chang'an and are gearing up for the exam to begin. I heard that the children of those families have said that this year they will at least get 90% of the quota."
Liu Qing was a little annoyed.
"Really?" The emperor's smile made Liu Qing think of the word mysterious.