Chapter 156 The Man Who Wants to Be the Pirate King
The sky breaks and the rooster crows.
Yu Yanran woke up in a daze and cautiously called out: "Jade."
The maid Jade responded: "Miss, are you awake?"
Yu Yanran nodded: "Jade, go and prepare hot water."
Jade was about to agree when she heard another man's lazy voice coming from the bed: "What time is it now? Why do you have to get up so early?"
Jade quickly replied: "Little Marquis, it's almost time to arrive."
It’s not even five o’clock yet? Qin Hao yawned: “Jade, please go down first, your lady needs to sleep for a while.”
"No." Jade stuck out her tongue and retreated outside to wait.
Yu Yanran blushed and said softly: "No, on the first day of the wedding, I have to serve tea to my parents-in-law. If I get up late, people will laugh at me."
Qin Hao hugged her gently and said with a smile: "We are married for three days, so rest assured and sleep. I told my mother that you can sleep later today."
Yu Yanran was a little surprised and blinked: "Is this still possible?"
"Actually, mother doesn't want to get up early either." Qin Hao said with a smile.
Yu Yanran lightly punched Qin Hao: "Husband, don't talk nonsense, how can you arrange your mother like this?"
Qin Hao smiled, scratched her chin, and scolded her with a smile: "You just walked in and are already trying to please your mother-in-law."
Yu Yanran was so ashamed that she buried her face in the quilt. Qin Hao moved his index finger. If it wasn't her first time last night, he would have executed her on the spot right now.
In a daze, Yu Yanran quickly fell asleep in Qin Hao's arms. When she opened her eyes again, it was already bright outside, and she was so frightened that she sat up with a start.
"Jade, why didn't you wake me up?" Yu Yanran complained.
Jade defended in a low voice: "It was the young Marquis who didn't let us scream. He said he wanted the young lady to sleep a little longer."
"Where is your husband? Also, from now on, you are no longer allowed to call me Miss. You must call me Madam Yu."
"Oh, the young Marquis went to the martial arts field to practice."
Yu Yanran glared at her: "Why don't you go prepare hot water quickly?"
"promise."
When Qin Hao came back, Yu Yanran had already changed into new clothes. Yesterday, Yu Yanran wore a green wedding dress. Today, she changed into a bright red smoke butterfly skirt. She looked less girlish than yesterday.
, more feminine charm.
Yu Yanran felt a little shy under Qin Hao's hot gaze, so she could only turn her face away and said coquettishly: "Husband, let's go and serve tea to father and mother."
Qin Hao smiled, took Yu Yanran's hand, and walked to the front hall.
Qin Liu was a little displeased at first, but when she saw Qin Hao holding Yu Yanran's hand, she couldn't say anything else. She just said some rules of the Hou family with a straight face, which was to establish her prestige as a mother-in-law.
After breakfast, Qin Hao originally planned to have a warm relationship with Yu Yanran, but there was a message from a young eunuch outside the door, asking him to come into the palace and be summoned by the officials.
Soon we arrived at the palace, and there were several great ministers there, all with frowns on their faces.
Qin Hao looked puzzled. After seeing the ceremony, he originally planned to stand aside and chat, but the official directly called his name.
"Qin Aiqing, I have called you here this time mainly to hear your opinion on the disposal of this batch of silver." Zhao Zongquan actually felt a little bit dumbfounded.
The main reason is that the silver brought back by Qin Hao this time is too much, tens of millions of taels. More silver is not always a good thing. If this batch of silver flows directly into the market, it will inevitably have an impact on the previous monetary system.
This will lead to a situation where silver is cheaper than copper coins.
In fact, after this batch of silver was shipped back, the price of silver in Bianjing dropped by more than 20%.
Qin Hao thought for a while, then held up his hands and said: "Guan family, I think we should take this opportunity to reform the coinage system. Injecting a certain amount of silver into the copper coins can reduce the cost of copper without affecting the beauty and durability of the coins.
Using proportions, we can also mint the silver into silver coins, which serve as a higher value currency than copper coins."
When the officials heard this, their eyes lit up. This coinage reform could not only solve the problem of silver depreciation, but also solve the problem of inconvenient commodity trading. It could be said to kill two birds with one stone.
You must know that the main trading currency in the Song Dynasty was copper coins, but the value of copper coins was relatively low. Some bulk commodities often cost hundreds of dollars, and it was very inconvenient to carry and transport them.
Some people have thought of using paper money before, but it was difficult to establish a credit system for paper money in ancient society. Without the endorsement of the court, it could not develop at all. Emperor Renzong felt that paper money could easily get out of control, and it was also difficult to prevent counterfeiting. Once it was counterfeited,
It will bring disaster to the people, so the circulation of banknotes has been restricted.
But silver coins are different. Silver itself is a precious metal, and people can use broken silver as money.
However, Han Daxiangong still raised a question: "Qin Duwei, as you said, reducing the amount of copper is to prevent private smelting of copper coins and casting of copperware. But once silver is added, won't it make the value of copper coins even greater?
Is private casting even more popular?"
Qin Hao nodded: "If we reduce the proportion of copper, we should add the proportion of silver. This is naturally the case. But if we reduce the proportion of copper by 10%, then add 3% of silver, and then increase the proportion of tin and lead.
Woolen cloth?"
"There is only 3% silver, but 10% less copper. What you get is less valuable lead and tin, coupled with the losses caused during the smelting process, no one is doing the business at a loss, and the merchants are chasing profits. This
They will settle the score."
Of course, the main reason is that the ancient melting and casting technology was relatively backward. If modern technology was used, it would still be profitable.
Zhao Zongquan suddenly felt enlightened, and he looked at the other great ministers.
Several Grand Prime Ministers discussed it, and finally Grand Prime Minister Han said: "This method is worth trying, but it involves some minting technology issues, and we still have to wait until the experiment is completed before we can make a decision. Don't act too hastily."
Zhao Zongquan nodded: "Well, what Mr. Han Daxian said is reasonable, so I don't think it's better to leave the coinage reform to Qin Aiqing?"
This chapter is not finished yet, please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content! Mr. Han quickly said: "No."
Seeing Zhao Zongquan glaring at him, Mr. Han quickly bowed and said: "Officers, Captain Qin also has the burden of the Japanese silver mines, so I'm afraid he won't be able to do all the work."
Another Lu Xianggong also said: "Yes, the prerequisite for the coinage reform is to continuously obtain a large amount of silver. The Japanese silver mines must not make any mistakes. Qin Duwei is the most suitable candidate and cannot be touched lightly."
Qin Hao secretly laughed in his heart, minting coins was a great achievement, and if he made it, he might even be remembered in history, but he was just afraid that he would take the credit.
But Qin Hao doesn't care. Being an official in the court has too many constraints. How can it compare to the freedom and ease at sea?
The reason why he transported all the accumulated silver back at once was to make Zhao Zongquan and other ministers of the court realize the importance of the Shijian Silver Mine.
At that time, he can legitimately build more sailing warships and form an invincible maritime fleet. He is a man who is inspired to become the Pirate King.
Zhao Zongquan thought about it and realized that what these ministers said made sense, so he said to Qin Hao: "Well, the Japanese silver mines are indeed crucial to our Song Dynasty. Therefore, he promoted Qin Captain to General Xuanwei and led an army of three thousand to ensure that the Japanese silver mines
The mine is foolproof.”
None of the ministers had objections to Qin Hao's promotion. They also saw that Zhao Zongquan truly regarded Qin Hao as one of his own. He promoted him wholeheartedly and gave him military power in order to expand his own strength.
This can also be regarded as the result of the game between the two parties.
Qin Hao was promoted to an official inexplicably like this. Not only that, the officials also arranged for Yu Yanran, who had just passed the exam, to be given the title of Fourth Grade Imperial Master.
When Yu Yanran received the decree, she was shocked. She had only been married into the Dongchang Hou Mansion for a day, and she didn't even know anyone well. How could she become the wife of Gaoming? This is an honor that many women will not get in their entire lives.
Although Mrs. Gaoming does not have any substantial official position, just the fact that she does not kneel before an official is enough to make others envious.
Yu Yanran held the imperial edict uniform and said to Qin Hao with a look of disbelief on her face: "My husband and grandmother are only in the third grade of imperial edicts, now I am in the fourth grade?"
Qin Hao pinched her cheek and said with a smile, "Now you know you're not dreaming, right?"
Yu Yanran was a little embarrassed and quickly asked the maid Feicui to put the imperial uniform away.
Late at night, Qin Hao and Yu Yanran had just finished exercising. Yu Yanran's pretty face was red and she was panting, and Qin Hao reacted again.
Yu Yanran quickly begged for mercy: "Husband, please don't, let Yanran take a rest."
Qin Hao couldn't bear to go through any more trouble, so he let her go, adjusted her for a while before covering her with the quilt, and gently hugged her to get ready to sleep.
Yu Yanran suddenly said: "Qingmei, the maid-in-law in the courtyard, has been with my husband for many years. It's time to give her a status. Why don't we ask her to serve tea to Yanran tomorrow."
Generally, a concubine raised by a maid like Qingmei has little status, and there is no need to perform any ceremony. As long as the wife of the wife drinks tea and approves, she is considered to have recognized her identity.
"Aren't you jealous?" Qin Hao asked curiously.
Unexpectedly, Yu Yanran pouted with an unhappy look on her face: "Husband, do you think Yanran is the jealous person?"
This evil feudal society is so wonderful. Your wife takes the initiative to help you take a concubine without you having to ask. Oh, it’s a sin.
"Okay, I know you are virtuous, okay." Qin Hao kissed Yu Yanran on the forehead.
Only then did Yu Yanran show a satisfied expression.
Three days later, Qin Hao took Yu Yanran back. When the carriage of Dongchang Hou Mansion appeared at the door of Yu Mansion, it immediately attracted a lot of people watching the excitement.
Second girl Yu was listening to the bustling noise in the backyard and was so envious that her teeth almost broke.
"Hmph, let's see how long you can be proud of it!"
In the front yard, Mr. Yu's attitude towards Yu Yanran's daughter is completely different at this time. He looks like a loving father, which is like asking for help.
Seeing Mrs. Yu's mouth twitching, she could only pretend to be a loving mother in front of everyone, otherwise she would be said to be unkind as a mother, and it would be difficult for her son and daughter to find a good marriage partner.
Mrs. Yu took her granddaughter directly back to her yard and whispered. When she learned that her granddaughter had actually received the fourth-grade imperial edict, she was stunned for a while.
"This is also your fate. Grandma is really happy for you." Mrs. Yu held Yu Yanran's hand and said with tears in her eyes.
Yu Yanran quickly comforted her: "Grandma, my husband is very kind to me. You will never have to worry about me again in the future."
Mrs. Yu laughed out loud.
On the other side, Grandmaster Yu was pulling Qin Hao to play Go. As a Grandmaster of the Three Dynasties, Grandmaster Yu's chess skills were naturally outstanding, but they were not enough in front of Qin Hao.
Mrs. Yu's wife was defeated in several games, and she was a little worried about her face.
"The chess you played has no sense of beauty and is aggressive in every aspect. It is unbecoming of a gentleman!"
Qin Hao smiled: "Grandpa, this chessboard is like a battlefield. There are not so many things to pay attention to on the battlefield. Winning is the last word."
Mrs. Yu thought the same thing. As her grandson-in-law, he was not only the number one scholar, but also a high-ranking official. The job he was receiving now was a military position, so it was normal for him to have more murderous intent.
From then on Mrs. Yu never played chess with Qin Hao again.
After staying at Yu's house until the afternoon, Qin Hao took Yu Yanran back to Dongchang Hou Mansion. After dinner, Yu Yanran locked the bedroom door and said that she came to Kuishui (aunt) today and asked her to
Qin Hao went to Qingmei's place to spend the night.
Qin Hao was a little dumbfounded. He wanted to say that it was not impossible to take a day off, but Yu Yanran said that since Qingmei had already raised her aunt, she must fulfill her responsibilities as an aunt.
Well, even his responsibilities were taken care of. Qin Hao suddenly felt that this man didn't seem so happy in ancient times. Why did he feel like a stallion? He couldn't rest yet.
Of course, complaints are complaints. When Qin Hao felt Qingmei's tenderness again, he couldn't help but be addicted to it. After all, Yu Yanran was new to human affairs these days, so he could only taste it for himself.
Qingmei doesn't have so many worries and can run as she pleases. Moreover, Qingmei has been with him for a longer time and is more relaxed than Yu Yanran.
Turning around, Qin Hao also took a special look at Yu Yanran's expression and found that she was really not unhappy because of Qin Hao's stay at Qingmei's room last night.
Well, the evil feudal society is still very loving.
In order to reward Yu Yanran for being so reasonable, Qin Hao asked her what she wanted. As a result, Yu Yanran thought about it for a long time and said that she wanted to go to Qingxu Temple to burn incense.
In ancient times, women from wealthy families rarely appeared in public, and the only places where they could visit openly and openly were temples and Taoist temples.
Qin Hao couldn't help but laugh when he saw Yu Yanran's expectant eyes: "Okay, you can go wherever you want."
Yu Yanran was as happy as a child. It was so pitiful that she must have been suppressed.
"By the way, I also want to make an appointment with Minglan. She must not have been out for a long time." Yu Yanran did not forget her little sister.
Qin Hao naturally let her go, and Yu Yanran sent his personal maid Feicui to Sheng Mansion. Minglan was naturally happy, and Wang Ruofu had no choice but to agree for the sake of Dongchang Hou Mansion.
Wang Ruofu could not help but be a little jealous and said to his mother Liu: "This girl from the Yu family has no idea what kind of virtue she has accumulated in her previous life. Not only did Gao marry the legitimate son of the Hou family, but she was also so pampering. It is said that she slept with her on the second day of her wedding.
I didn't go to serve tea to my parents-in-law until three o'clock in the morning, and the eldest lady of the Hou Mansion didn't blame me. Alas, if my Rulan's husband's family can be half as good as this, I will be satisfied!"
When thinking of his daughter's virtue, Wang Ruofu could not keep his composure: "Tell me, my daughter is not good at poetry, calligraphy, embroidery, or tea ceremony. How can she be good at it in the future?"
Mother Liu quickly said: "We girls are naturally blessed, and we can always find a suitable husband. Isn't Ming girl going to Qingxu Temple tomorrow? Why don't we take the girl with us too, and praying for Sanqing may be effective.
Besides, if you let the girl go out and show her face, maybe a good marriage will come?"
Wang Ruofu thought about it and said, "You are right, it would be better to take this girl to see the world more often."
Lin Qige heard that Ru Lan and Ming Lan were going out tomorrow, but they didn't come to call Mo Lan. Lin Xiaoniang was so angry that she quickly took advantage of Sheng Hong's return home to drag them to Lin Qige for dinner and started crying.
"Honglang, we are both daughters of the Sheng family. Why don't you take Mo Lan with you? She is also your child."
Sheng Hong was also born as a concubine. It was only because Mrs. Sheng's own flesh and blood were killed and she had no heirs that she took him under her name and raised him well. That's how he became today. The distinction between concubines and concubines was also a taboo for him. Hearing this
Then he went to Wang Ruofu and asked her to bring Mo Lan with her.
Wang Ruofu was so angry that his hands trembled: "That bitch must have complained to the master again!"
Liu's mother quickly advised: "Madam, the most important thing now is the young lady's marriage. It is not appropriate to quarrel with the master on this matter."
Wang Ruofu was so angry that he had no choice but to take Mo Lan with him the next day.
The main reason why Qingxu Temple is popular is its excellent geographical location. It is the closest mountain to Bianjing City. The scenery in the mountain is also very beautiful, making it very suitable for outings.
In ancient times, monks and Taoist priests chose famous mountains and rivers to build their monasteries. In fact, they had multi-level considerations, and geographical location was the top priority.
Along the way, Qin Hao saw that Yu Yanran liked the lively scenes on both sides of the street, so he simply raised the curtains. Yu Yanran cast a grateful look at Qin Hao, and then his attention was attracted by the sideshow stalls on the roadside.
Seeing that she was fascinated, Qin Hao threw a bag of broken silver over to the sideshow stall. He originally thought it was a bag of copper coins, but when he opened it, his hands were shaking. He quickly knelt down and kowtowed to the carriage of Dongchang Houfu.
"Thank you for the reward, noble man!"
On the way, the smell of meat pie wafted over. Qin Hao saw Yu Yanran swallowing secretly, so he asked someone to stop the carriage.
"No, go to Granny Cao's Meat Pie and buy two meat patties. I'm hungry."
"promise."
Soon, the fragrant and hot meatloaf was delivered. Qin Hao lowered the car curtain and handed the meatloaf to her: "Eat it, no one will know, just say it was mine."
Yu Yanran suddenly felt so sweet that she broke off a piece of meat pie and brought it to Qin Hao's mouth first.
Qin Hao couldn't help but secretly laugh. This ancient woman was really easy to coax, and she was so moved by a piece of meat pie.
Just walking and stopping all the way, when we arrived at Qingxu Temple, the Sheng family's carriage had already stopped at the door.
Only then did Yu Yanran remember: "Oh no, I even made an appointment with Minglan."
Sure enough, after entering Qingxu Temple, Minglan complained after waiting for a long time.
"Obviously it's the person that sister Yanran made an appointment with, but it's been so long."
Yu Yanran quickly held Minglan's arm to apologize, but Minglan sniffed.
"Did sister Yanran secretly eat meat pie just now?"
Yu Yanran knew that she couldn't hide it, so she could only tell her what happened on the road in a low voice. Minglan couldn't help but be envious after hearing this. For any woman, such a good husband is something that can only be met but not sought, right?
