Chapter 18 You cant just watch fellow villagers being bullied
"Hey, Erlang, what is this? It actually has a scent." Queen Changsun asked curiously when she leaned down to confirm that the scent was coming from a pile of "bricks".
Li Shimin said with some helplessness: "The name of this thing is soap, and it was just presented by a man from Qin County."
"Oh? It's a bit unique." Queen Changsun saw that there were various patterns printed on the soap.
Li Shimin asked the eunuch to bring warm water and demonstrated how to use the soap. When Empress Changsun heard that the soap could nourish the skin, her eyes could not help but shine.
"Since Maid Guanyin likes it, just take it all."
Empress Changsun smiled and shook her head: "I'll just take five yuan, and give the rest to the Emperor. This thing is so novel, it will definitely please the Emperor."
"Well, Maid Guanyin is very thoughtful."
After coming out of Li Shimin's place, Empress Changsun returned to the harem with five pieces of soap. However, she did not enjoy it alone. Instead, she had the soap cut into small pieces and distributed them to the concubines in the harem, leaving only one piece for herself.
However, Empress Changsun obviously underestimated the appeal of soap to these harem concubines.
Especially that night, when Li Shimin stayed at Concubine Zhen's palace, he said: "My beloved concubine has a very nice fragrance, and her skin seems to be more delicate than before."
There is no airtight wall in the world, and soon the concubines in the harem realized that this soap was a weapon for them to compete for favor, and each one of them couldn't get enough of it.
The same thing happened in the harem of the Supreme Emperor Li Yuan. Since he was forced to abdicate, Li Yuan has lived a sensual life. He has added many children to the Li family over the years, and he also gave the eunuch soap sent by Li Shimin to him.
My favorite "toffee".
Naturally, these "concubines" also competed for favors in the harem. They tried their best to please Li Yuan. After learning that soap has the effect of smoothing skin, they naturally flocked to it. Unfortunately, a total of five soaps were given by Li Yuan.
Now that they are out, what will happen to the remaining "toffees"?
There was no other way, Li Yuan could only ask the eunuch to go to Li Shimin to get it.
Where could Li Shimin still have it? All the ten pieces offered by Qin Hao were divided. There was no other choice but to ask the eunuch to ask Qin Hao for it again.
As time went by, some rumors began to spread in Chang'an City.
The so-called "what goes up and what follows" is the same in any dynasty. Whatever the superiors like, the people below will naturally try their best to have it. Of course, the premise is that they do not violate the rules.
There are many things in the royal family that cannot be owned casually, and soap happens to be not one of them.
What's more, women have never been able to resist things that can delay the aging of their appearance. This has been true at all times and in all countries.
Therefore, soap became the hottest topic in Chang'an City in the first month of the third year of Zhenguan in this cold winter month.
If a family could own a piece of soap and bring it out during banquets, the hostess of that family would become the envy of all the ladies of Chang'an City.
Qin Hao saw that the time was almost there, so in Chang'an City, a shop called "Hongxiu Fang" opened in a low-key manner.
The items sold in the store are very simple, there is only one thing, soap.
But all soaps are not cheap and are divided into three grades.
"Collection."
“Elegance.”
"classic."
The fragrance of the collection soap is a compound fragrance, the main raw materials are peach blossom and plum blossom, the elegant soap has a single plum blossom fragrance, and the classic soap has a peach blossom fragrance.
The reason why the taste is a bit monotonous is mainly because in winter, other flower raw materials have basically withered. The reason why we can get the peach blossom raw materials is thanks to the winery. All the petals saved from making peach blossom wine were purchased by Qin Hao at a high price.
A bar of soap, even the most basic classic model, costs as much as 20 copper coins, and the collection is even sold for 50 copper coins. But even so, the supply is still in short supply.
In just one month of the twelfth lunar month, Qin Hao's net profit from soap was as high as 30,000 yuan. The warehouse that was once empty enough for rats to run away now no longer even has a place to stay.
"If you can't spare the money, spend it. There are people selling briquettes and stoves in Chang'an City. They can buy them for all the farmers, so that they can have a warm year this year."
After experiencing so many worlds, Qin Hao has long lost his previous desire for money. For him, money is just a tool to achieve his goals.
However, for the people in the village, the meaning is different.
Not long ago, everyone's house was repaired, and now every household has a stove.
Old man Liu led the farmers all the way from the door of the Lord's Mansion to the front hall, almost breaking the floor. Their heads were still bleeding, and they were still thanking Qin Hao for his kindness.
.
"Okay, everyone, get up. If anyone does this again in the future, Butler Wang will pull back their stove and demolish the house."
Everyone knew that Qin Hao was joking, so no one took him seriously and laughed honestly.
After Qin Hao made such a fuss, the atmosphere immediately relaxed a lot.
"Now that we're all here, let's sit down and chat."
So rows of strong men in the front hall squatted down. It was not that there was no room for them to sit, but they mainly squatted to keep warm.
Qin Hao followed their example and squatted down.
"Next year, this is my plan. Those who have land in the village and are willing to plant potatoes with me will plant soybeans in the fields in the first season. On the one hand, when the soybeans are mature, they can be sold directly to soap workshops. On the other hand, this
Although potatoes are drought-tolerant and don’t have to pick the land, they also waste the land. Planting soybeans can add fertilizer to the land. In the future, we will plant soybeans in one season and potatoes in one season. If we really want to eat food, we can also mix in one season of food."
After hearing this, the bankers nodded one after another and expressed their willingness to follow Qin Hao. After repairing the house and giving away stoves, the bankers finally understood that this owner was sincerely treating them well. If they met such a good owner, then
What else is there to say? Naturally, he will do whatever he says.
"Sir, we will do whatever you say."
"That's right, from now on, whenever you give me any orders, I will follow you without saying a word and with my head in your hands."
Qin Hao and others gradually calmed down and continued.
"The soap workshop will definitely be expanded next year. Old man Liu, please go back and count the landless people in the village who are willing to work in the soap workshop. I will ask Butler Wang to make arrangements for it later. Women also want it."
"However, you need to be reliable. The process of making this soap is not complicated. If the secret recipe leaks out, the money will not be as easy to earn as it is now."
Upon hearing this, Old Man Liu glanced fiercely at the dealers present and gritted his teeth.
"Don't worry, Sir, if anyone dares to have an extramarital interest and cheat on others, Zhuangzi will never spare him."
"That's right, if anyone dares to reveal even a single word, the whole family will be kicked out of Zhuangzi, their place of origin will be deleted from the genealogy, and future generations will never be able to recognize their ancestors!"
In ancient times, the punishment of being kicked out of a clan was even more serious than the elimination of nationality. People who betrayed their clan would not be recognized wherever they went. No matter how rich they were or how many good deeds they had done, they would never be able to become the gentry class.
, without the clan as a backer, the government would naturally exploit the people as they wanted, and arbitrarily arranging some corvees would be enough to destroy a family.
"In addition, I also plan to set up a school in the village and invite a few knowledgeable gentlemen to teach the children in the village. Without preaching, they will be full of knowledge, be able to read and write, and be able to write and do math in the future.
A good future.”
As soon as Qin Hao finished speaking, people in the front hall fell to their knees again, and everyone kowtowed again.
"Sir, we will never be able to repay you for your great kindness."
"Yes, Sir, if you have anything to do in the future, you must leave it to us, otherwise we will not feel at ease."
There was no other way, Qin Hao could only keep a straight face.
"Get up, have you forgotten what I just said? If you kowtow again, I will demolish your house!"
Old man Liu was crying and laughing, leading the others to stand up. His tears and nose were smeared on his sleeves. It was so cold at this time that it was freezing.
"Okay, that's all I have to say today. I'll take a bag of noodles back later. The winter solstice is coming soon. Go back and have a nice meal with your family. Don't live a miserable life all day long. Haha, next year
Ah, we have more food than you can eat all." Qin Hao patted Old Man Liu on the shoulder and encouraged him.
The strong men also had longing looks on their faces when they heard this.
Qin Hao vaguely remembered that when he first met these farmers, the numbness and indifference towards life in their eyes made people shudder. It was the coldness accumulated from years of despair about life.
Now, with his help, these bankers have finally become like "human beings", and Qin Hao has not spent so much energy in vain.
As a human being, you should live like a human being, not like a lamb waiting to be slaughtered.
As soon as the farmers were sent away, Butler Wang came to report: "Sir, the man from Yun County is here to visit."
"Oh? Invite him in."
Yun Ye did not come empty-handed. He brought some new furniture. Qin Hao was not polite and replaced all the old furniture at home.
"Oh, the chair is still comfortable to sit on. Every time I enter the palace, my legs feel like they are useless." Yun Ye sat on the Grand Master's chair in the study, crossed his legs and swayed leisurely.
Qin Hao asked Butler Wang to go out, then closed the door of the study room and sat across from Yun Ye.
"You kid, it's freezing cold and you've traveled so far, you're not just delivering furniture to me, are you?"
Yun Ye was a little embarrassed and smiled: "Brother, I have a plan that I want to get your support for."
"Oh? What's the plan?" Qin Hao asked casually.
Then, Yun Ye began to describe his grand plan vividly.
"Brother, I plan to build a school!"
Qin Hao didn't say anything, just looked at him quietly.
Yun Ye was stared at and felt a little scared: "No, senior brother, you just want to show your attitude. Don't stare at me like that. I feel panicked."
"Are you going to panic? I think you are very brave." Qin Hao rolled his eyes at him angrily.
"Why, do you think we are too conspicuous in the Tang Dynasty, and you want to create a group of people like us to distract the attention of the court?"
Yun Ye opened his mouth wide, as if he was embarrassed by being told the center of things: "Brother, you are simply a roundworm in my stomach."
"Go away, you can't use a metaphor that's not disgusting. For example, my parents are the ones who gave birth to me, and my senior brother is the one who knows me!"
Yun Ye smiled sheepishly: "One idea, one idea."
"Senior brother, do you think my plan is feasible?"
Qin Hao thought for a while: "There is no problem in building a school. The key is, once our teaching results are known to the court, do you think those in the court will allow it to exist?"
Yun Ye came closer and whispered: "If someone else becomes the emperor, I really don't have this idea, but he is Li Shimin, the only emperor through the ages. Li Shimin can say that all the talents in the world are under my control, if he doesn't even
With such a big heart, it would be best for us to find a place where no one is and live in seclusion."
Qin Hao did not answer directly, but asked curiously: "What have you experienced recently? Why did you suddenly have the idea of building a school?"
"Oh, I'll just cry if I talk too much!" Yun Ye told his recent experience with bitter tears.
Ever since Qin Hao developed his Qi Sense, he rarely interfered with matters in the court. However, Yun Ye was coerced into the noble camp by Cheng Yaojin and Niu Jinda. Naturally, Du Ruhui and the civil servants of Fang Xuanling disliked him.
There was a lot of crowding around him.
Simply being protected by Cheng Yaojin, these civil servants did not go too far, but as time passed, Yun Ye also clearly felt the hostility of the civil servants.
Last time, three provinces and six ministries met to discuss the budget allocation for the coming year. Du Ruhui, as the minister of the Ministry of War, was stuck with the budget of the Ministry of War. The reason was that the cavalry and horses were too worn out and it was difficult to replenish them. Then the civil servants and generals quarreled and almost beat each other with their arms.
group.
When Yun Ye heard this, he realized that the hoofs of the war horse were too worn, so he proposed to put shoes on the horse.
However, this plan made Du Ruhui and the civil servants laugh at him. Yun Ye was naturally dissatisfied, so he made a bet with the civil servant group, claiming that three thousand strings could solve the problem of horse hoof wear.
The result is self-evident, Yun Ye won completely, but this also made those civil servants even more dissatisfied with him.
Originally, these military generals in the early Tang Dynasty were difficult to deal with. The civil servants relied on their knowledge and worked hard to suppress and balance each other so that both sides could win or lose. The appearance of Yun Ye was equivalent to giving the military general group the ability to intervene in government affairs. This cannot be tolerated.
Already.
As a result, Yun Ye was accused, not just once, but every three days.
Even his meal of braised beef noodles became a sin, and the imperial censor asked him to slaughter cattle.
"It's too bullying, senior brother, we can't bear this cowardice." Yun Ye cried.
Qin Hao rolled his eyes: "Don't do this, tell me how I can support you."
After all, they are both "fellow fellows" who traveled through time together. Naturally, Qin Hao cannot let others bully Yun Ye. After all, he and Yun Ye are now one and the same in the eyes of outsiders. They both prosper and suffer.
"Hey, everything else is fine, it's just the funds..."
Yun Ye rubbed his hands in embarrassment: "I heard that my senior brother recently made a soap and made a lot of money. Can you support me a little bit?"
"You know how to make soap, why don't you make some to sell?" Qin Hao asked curiously.
"Aren't we fighting in the ring with you, senior brother? We can't do this kind of thing where brothers are fighting against each other."
"I think you are too lazy and think it would be easier to just take it from me."
"Hey, senior brother, when you say this, do you agree?"
"Five thousand guan, not even a penny more. If it exceeds the budget, you can figure it out on your own."