After the Mid-Autumn Festival every year, people in Lin'an like to go to the Qiantang River to watch the tide. This also makes the lively atmosphere of the Mid-Autumn Festival in the capital last until August 21st, and then gradually weaken around the 2nd.
Fang Ling returned to Lin'an at noon on August 21.
On the same day, Pu Shougeng also came to the capital. This time he was accompanied by his brother Pu Shoucheng, his son Pu Wenfeng and other Pu family elites. According to the plan, Pu Shougeng moved the headquarters of Pu's Trading Company to Lin'an and arranged for Pu Shoucheng to be fully responsible. Quanzhou affairs were handed over to Pu Wenyong, the shrewd and capable son of Pu Shoucheng, while Pu Shougeng himself planned to run the Red Cross Society with Xiao Tian.
Although everyone in the Pu family was very puzzled by this decision, they did not ask for the reason and still obeyed Pu Shougeng's arrangement. Over the past few decades, the Pu family has grown from a small business on the verge of bankruptcy to the richest business in Quanzhou and even the country. One of the trading houses, Pu Shougeng's contribution is inseparable. In the Pu family, Pu Shougeng played the most important role. It can be said that without Pu Shougeng, there would be no Pu's trading house today. This shows its high status and prestige in the Pu family. Definitely one of a kind.
The number of times I go to Tongle House to eat is getting less and less. Since Tongle House launched a series of MSG dishes, officials from the DPRK and the Central Government often go there. I don’t want them to recognize me, so I asked Xiao Tian to call the chef of Tongle House. I went to Shifeng Commercial Bank and opened Shifeng Private Kitchen. Of course, this private kitchen is not open to the public.
Pu Shougeng arrived at Shifeng Trading Company half an hour later than Fang Ling. After entering the house, Pu Shougeng respectfully clasped his fists and saluted: "Pu Shougeng has met Mr. Huyan, Miss Fang Ling, Mr. Yuan,"
I smiled lightly and said, "Mr. Pu, you have worked hard all the way. Please sit down."
On the other hand, Fang Ling and Yuan Ji quickly stood up and said in return, "I've met Mr. Pu,"
Pu Shougeng didn't dare to sit down, so he introduced Pu Shoucheng to me first: "Master, this is Pu Shoucheng, the elder brother of my subordinate. This time he came to Beijing with his subordinates to take care of the affairs of Pu's Trading Company in Beijing. Big brother, I've come to see you. "Master,"
Pu Shoucheng is the only insider in the Pu family besides Pu Wenfeng. He is one or two years older than Pu Shougeng, but his appearance is much more elegant. At first glance, he looks like a scholar who has read poetry and books. No wonder he was with the original Fujian Road System envoy Shi Hongsheng was very attracted to each other. This was the first time for Pu Shoucheng to meet the emperor. He could not help but feel nervous. He cupped his fists and said, "My subordinate, Pu Shoucheng, has met Mr. Huyan."
I said "hmm" and said, "This is Shifeng Trading Company. The two Mr. Pu will be a family from now on. You don't need to be so polite. Come sit down quickly, Xiao Tian, let's serve the wine and food."
Xiao Tian nodded and called out: "It's time to serve."
I took the glass filled with wine from Fang Ling and said, "Tonight, I'm here to greet Ling'er and Mr. Pu, and secondly, I'm here to discuss the specific follow-up affairs of the Red Cross."
Pu Shougeng said hurriedly: "Thank you, Master, for the banquet."
Fang Ling said happily: "Brother, why are you trying to pick up the wind for me? We've only been apart for a few days."
"It's necessary. The ancients had a saying. What's it called? Brother, think about it. Oh, by the way, it's called 'One day's absence is like three autumns.' If we haven't seen each other for several days, it's equivalent to several seasons."
Fang Ling's face turned slightly red, and she smiled shyly: "Brother, you are making random metaphors."
Xiao Tian said seriously: "Miss Ling'er, Master is not just using metaphors. Whenever he comes to Shifeng these days, his first words are always, 'Has Ling'er come back?', what does this mean? Does it mean that the young master has not seen Miss Ling'er for one day, as if it has been three autumns? Young Master, do you think so?"
I laughed, but then I heard Fang Ling say: "Xiao Tian, are you having too comfortable this Mid-Autumn Festival and want to ask for a beating?"
Xiao Tian knew that Fang Ling was very good at martial arts, so how could he dare to continue? He hurriedly begged for mercy and said, "I don't want to, I don't want to, I'll go and order the food."
"What are you trying to cook? This is not a restaurant," I said, "Come on, let's all drink together."
The Pu family brothers drank it all in one gulp: "Thank you, Mr. Pu." Then Pu Shougeng continued: "Sir, before discussing the affairs of the Red Cross, I would like to ask you to give instructions on the follow-up affairs of Pu's Trading Company."
"I haven't thought about giving you any instructions on this, just keep everything as usual, Pu Shougeng, since Pu Shoucheng is your brother, and he has run Pu's Trading Company with you for thirty years, I think it is best to leave it to Pu Shoucheng to take care of it. Well, I only have one request in terms of operation and management, which is not to violate the laws of our country. Pu Shousheng can make the decision for the rest. If we encounter something that we are not sure about, we can discuss it together. Also, in the future, people from the business will be there When doing business with foreign vassals, always pay attention to their different goods, such as whether they have peppers, corn, sweet potatoes, etc.,"
"What is this?" everyone asked curiously.
"Oh, these are what I saw in an ancient book. They are all edible crops. There are countless countries and regions outside our country that grow many agricultural products that are not available in our country. If they can be introduced into our country, , another blessing,”
Pu Shougeng originally thought that I would send someone to Pu's Trading Company to participate in management, or at least supervision. After hearing what I said, he was a little moved and fully trusted me. This is very difficult to achieve: "Yes, Young Master,"
"Brother, I've heard you talk about this charity called the Red Cross. Ling'er also wants to join. Is that okay?"
"Of course. I hope that more kind-hearted people can join in charity and contribute their love. Regarding the specific affairs of the Red Cross, my initial plan is to open schools and hospitals in our territory. At present, most people in various parts of the country, especially in rural areas, can only have enough food and clothing, and have no ability to send their children to school. Therefore, the first task of the Red Cross Society is to open compulsory schools in various places to popularize basic education. Education, and strive to enable all children to read books from an early age. Although this task consumes a lot of manpower, material and financial resources, it is a great good deed that will benefit future generations."
"Brother, this is good, Ling'er supports it,"
Pu Shougeng thought for a while and said: "Sir, this matter involves a wide range of areas. Although it is a huge project to protect future generations, Pu thinks we can give it a try. Brother Xiao Tian, what do you think?"
Xiao Tian immediately nodded and said: "I agree, this is the real thing to save the people. No matter how difficult it is, as long as you are here, I think it will definitely succeed."
I smiled and said: "Okay, now that the three leaders of the Red Cross have expressed their stance, let's start implementing this project."
"Wait a minute," Fang Ling said, "I am also a leader,"
"Well, Mr. Pu and Xiao Tian are the president and vice president of the Red Cross respectively. Ling'er is reluctant to do so. How about being the vice president?"
"Ah, can I do that?"
"Why not, Ling'er, your affinity is far superior to the two of them. When doing charity, affinity is very important,"
"Brother, is it true?"
"How could I lie to you?"
"Okay, I'll try,"
"Well, I have also thought about the names of these schools. They are called Hope Primary School. I hope that the children in my country will be able to read and write and have skills when they grow up. I also hope that one of these children will be able to benefit our country in the future. As for the content of my studies, I don’t plan to follow the methods of today’s calligraphy schools. In addition to studying the Four Books and Five Classics, I will also add arithmetic and scientific knowledge.”
Fang Ling asked: "I know the math, but what is scientific common sense?"
"You all know this. I will personally compile the textbook. Scientific knowledge refers to the knowledge of various natural phenomena that occur in the era we live in. For example, why are there hot and cold days? Why are there hot and cold days? Rain, why fish can live in the water for a long time but humans cannot, etc. I will ask Mr. Shen Yiqiu and Mr. Jerry Polo from Lin'an University to help write this textbook,"
Chinese, mathematics and natural knowledge will be compulsory courses in primary schools in later generations. They are also compulsory courses in school curriculum that I have prescribed for the Ministry of Education to be established. As for English, let it go to hell. I will let overseas countries offer Chinese in schools in the future. this course.
Fang Ling nodded as if he understood: "Mr. Shen is a very knowledgeable person."
Xiao Tian asked: "Sir, where can I find the teacher from Hope Primary School?"
"This is quite difficult at the moment. We can all think of ways together. For example, we can recruit talented people from all over the country who have failed to be selected, teach them first, and then let them teach the children of Hope Primary School,"
Pu Shougeng said: "Well, this is a way."
"Also, I know the writers of the Song Dynasty Royal Newspaper. I asked them to help me advertise in the newspaper to see if it has any effect."
"Advertisement," Xiao Tian suddenly said excitedly, "Sir, I heard that in addition to the capital, the Song Dynasty Royal News was also sent to all parts of our country. Then our Shifeng business, oh, and the business of Pu's Trading Company, Also, can Ling'er's Chengwei Escort Agency also advertise on it?"
Fang Ling seemed to have thought of something and hurriedly said: "Xiao Tian, you are really smart. Brother, what Xiao Tian said makes sense. For example, if our Chengwei Escort Agency wants to recruit more people, can we publicize it in newspapers?"
Isn't this just advertising?
Advertising is a good way to promote publicity. I should have thought of it earlier. Firstly, newspapers can make a profit and gradually transition to be responsible for their own profits and losses. Secondly, it can help businesses promote themselves, which can have a win-win effect. This is common in later generations. That's all.
No wonder later generations have a high evaluation of the economy of the Song Dynasty. There were many ways of advertising, but the earliest printed advertisements appeared in the Northern Song Dynasty. Xiao Tian had a strong commercial awareness, otherwise he would not have thought of it so much.
Pu Shougeng also said: "Master, Miss Fang and brother Xiao Tian's suggestions are good, you might as well give it a try."
"Okay, I will consider the advertising matter carefully," I continued. "Another long-term task is to popularize medical clinics. The medicine of our dynasty has made great progress based on the Tang Dynasty. In addition to traditional content, In addition to surgery, paediatrics, acupuncture, and ENT, unprecedented new situations have also been created in the fields of obstetrics and gynecology, surgery, parasitology, and ophthalmology, and folk medicine is also booming. In this way, we are facing the common people The health status and life span of our country have been improved to varying degrees. However, as I said before, in our slightly remote villages, people can only have enough food and clothing. They do not have more financial resources to study or see a doctor. Moreover, in those backward countries, There are very few medical clinics in this area, and most people have to wait until the doctor comes to see a doctor. However, we all know that diseases will not give you time to wait. Therefore, spreading medical clinics to the public is also a good deed that benefits people all over the world. Of course, the difficulties it faces are as great as popularizing schools,"
Pu Shousheng, who had been silent all this time, finally couldn't help but praise: "Young Master really has the heart of a Bodhisattva, and is very kind and compassionate."
I smiled and continued: "These two matters will be the long-term basic work of the Red Cross. Others, such as relief for disaster-stricken areas, are temporary matters. You three can decide on your own. Do you have any other suggestions? ,"
Xiao Tiandao: "No, sir, we will definitely encounter many problems in the operation of the Red Cross. It will not be too late to discuss it at that time."
"Well, by the way, Mr. Pu, have you chosen the address of Pu's Trading Company in Beijing?"
"Go back to the young master, brother Xiao Tian has already done everything for us,"
"Really, Xiao Tian, where is it?"
"Sir, the Red Cross meeting place is directly opposite Shifeng Trading Company. I have also bought a house nearby. The place is big enough and can be used by Pu's Trading Company. This will allow Mr. Pu to take care of both sides of the business. "
"Ha, Xiao Tian, you are really thoughtful," Fang Ling said, "Brother, I almost forgot, Sister Lin Ying wrote a letter saying that she will be coming to Lin'an in the near future."
"Lin Ying, why did she come?"
Fang Ling looked at me and smiled and said, "Brother, I think I'm here to hear you sing."