Zhang Anshi looked at it carefully, his eyes flashed, and his face was completely confident.
With a smile on his lips, he said to Chen Li beside him: "It's almost time. It's time to let Chen Deng speak, so that we can clean him up."
After hearing this, Chen Li said yes repeatedly.
However, Zhang Anshi also appeared in Chen Deng's cell, and someone had bathed Chen Deng before.
Chen Deng put on relatively clean clothes. Only the blood stains on his face were clearly visible. Although it occasionally hurt due to some wounds on his body, he still looked disdainful.
Surprisingly, he didn't appear to be in embarrassment. It seemed that even the severe physical pain had not eliminated the bit of arrogance in him.
Zhang Anshi actually has to admire this person, he really suffered a lot!
Immediately, he ordered: "Go and get some food."
A captain went there quickly.
Zhang Anshi then smiled and said: "Mr. Chen, how have you been doing these past two days?"
Chen Deng looked at Zhang Anshi indifferently and said: "Now that things have come to this, why do you need to show your courtesy for nothing? Since Your Highness knows Chen's ambition, please don't continue to show off."
Zhang Anshi said: "Although you and I are enemies, Chen Gongzhi's compassion is many times higher than that of his comrades who only talk about great principles, but in fact are greedy for life and afraid of death, and only pursue profit. Therefore, even if
This king also admires him."
Chen Dengdao: "How many scholars do you know in the world? We, the disciples of saints, will not fall for your power to this day. As for Chen, what does it matter?"
Zhang Anshi said: "No, Chen Gong is a thousand times stronger than others."
Chen Deng only sneered, and then said slowly: "This is because Your Highness has never seen the true courage of scholars."
Zhang Anshi pondered for a moment and said: "So, Mr. Chen...does he think that there are many courageous people like Mr. Chen in the world? So...those of Mr. Chen's associates will definitely succeed?"
Chen Deng said firmly: "This is inevitable."
He paused, then sighed and said: "For thousands of years, the world has regarded Confucianism as its righteousness. It is precisely because of this that those who practice benevolence and righteousness will be able to live and work in peace and contentment. But like today,
Today’s new policies and tomorrow’s policies under the banner of reform will all lead to disaster in the end. Your Highness is too young... He thinks that as long as he makes money, he can make the world stable. When chaos breaks out in the future, he will know the pros and cons."
Zhang Anshi said: "I find it difficult to agree with what Mr. Chen said. In my opinion, people in this world are just pursuing profit. The so-called disciples of saints, the so-called gentry, and the so-called scholars are only in anger because of
It hinders their interests, that's why such drastic measures are taken."
"This is what I admire about Mr. Chen. At least Mr. Chen believes that those articles about benevolence, justice and morality are not like other people, who just use these articles to make profits for themselves. Mr. Chen always said that Zhang is making money,
But before the New Deal, where did the wealth of the world go?"
Chen Deng said: "Your Highness's words are really ridiculous. You and I have different views and we don't want to conspire with each other. It's just that... Chen has something to say to me. Chen has decided to be righteous. If Your Highness has self-knowledge, there is no need to blame Chen.
It’s a waste of time.”
Zhang Anshi laughed: "But I still want to try it one last time."
Chen Deng turned his face away with a cold look, as if he didn't want to continue talking.
Zhang Anshi said: "Why not, Mr. Chen might as well go for a walk with Mr. Zhang. If Mr. Chen still believes in his judgment after what he sees and hears next, then... Mr. Zhang will fulfill your wish.
I will simply give you a pleasure. But if Chen Gong no longer insists, then you might as well..."
Chen Deng looked at him with sarcasm in his eyes and said, "Now that things have happened, does Chen still have a choice?"
Zhang Anshi was not angry, and even said politely: "Then please fill your stomach first, Mr. Chen. A carriage will arrive in a moment."
Zhang Anshi smiled at him and walked out.
After half an hour, Chen Deng was picked up and got on the carriage.
…………
Zhou Yashe.
Zhu Di was talking with Yang Rong and others at this time.
Zhu Di suddenly asked: "How come there has been no movement from Zhang Qing these two days?"
Yi Shiha then said, "I will send someone to invite His Highness the Prince of Wuhu."
Not long after, a eunuch came in a hurry and said: "Your Majesty, His Royal Highness the Prince of Wuhu County has taken Chen Deng to Ma's Boat Company."
After hearing this, Zhu Di frowned and said: "Then Chen Deng is rebelling against the party. He led this person rashly. What if there is a danger on the way? Ma's Shipping Company...I am quite impressed...but the business of the No. 1 Scholar?"
Yi Shiha said: "Your Majesty, yes."
Zhu Di said suspiciously: "Why did you suddenly go to Ma's Shipbuilding Company?"
Yi Shiha said: "My slave heard that... this Ma Yu has had a close relationship with many gentry and scholars recently. He hangs out with them all the time. I think... he has some intentions."
Zhu Di nodded and immediately said: "Zhang Qing must have his own ideas when doing things. I have been in Hezhou for a long time. I will be driving back to Beijing in the next few days. I might as well... go to the boat shop and have a look."
Yi Shiha also knew what was going on, and immediately said: "I'll go make arrangements right now."
Yang Rong, Hu Guang and others looked at each other in confusion.
On the other hand, Yang Rong said: "Your Majesty... In Hezhou, many scholars and gentry have quite a lot of complaints against Your Majesty and the Prince of Wuhu County..."
The implication is actually quite obvious. It is not safe for Your Majesty to go out!
But Zhu Di didn't seem to be thinking about it at this time, so he didn't understand the meaning. He even said bluntly: "What are you complaining about? It's just overwhelming!"
Yang Rong smiled and continued: "This Ma family has a close relationship with many scholars, and His Majesty is rich in gold, but..."
At this time, Zhu Di understood. He snorted coldly and said: "In my whole life, I am only afraid of the words of those scholars, but why am I afraid that they will infringe on me? What kind of things are they, don't I know it in my heart? Zhang Qing
If you can go, I can go too."
Yang Rong and others did not dare to persuade him any more.
So, Zhang Anshi arrived at Ma's Trading Company. Ma Yu heard that Zhang Anshi had arrived and immediately came out to greet him.
Zhang Anshi only said to him: "Arrange a quiet place."
Ma Yu immediately understood and said: "Yes."
Not long after, Zhang Anshi, Chen Deng, Chen Li and several others were seated in an ear room near Ma's Trading Company. Ma Yu poured tea in person and did not ask Zhang Anshi anything else. He seemed to be aware of Zhang Anshi's attitude.
After pouring the tea, he had already left.
Not long after, someone came in a hurry and whispered a few words to Zhang Anshi.
Zhang Anshi frowned, suddenly stood up, and said to Chen Li: "Don't move, I'll pick him up."
After a while, Zhang Anshi brought Zhu Di, Yang Rong and others.
When everyone sat down, Zhu Di looked around, but did not even look at Chen Deng. He only asked Zhang Anshi, "Why is Zhang Qing here?"
Zhang Anshi smiled bitterly in his heart and thought: I still want to ask your Majesty.
Zhang Anshi replied: "Your Majesty, I am bringing Mr. Chen here to see the world."
Zhu Di ignored the so-called Mr. Chen. He would not talk too much about dead people, and just said: "Then I also want to open my eyes and see your world. What, what will happen to Ma's Trading Company?"
"
Zhang Anshi said: "Ma's Shipping Company is raising funds."
"Raising funds?" Zhu Di suddenly became interested, and he asked with great interest: "How to raise funds?"
Zhang Anshi said: "Your Majesty, wait a moment."
There is only a wall between this place and the shop, and the movement next door can be clearly heard.
And there is a small window facing the shop. People coming and going in the shop will not pay attention to the movement in the ear room, but if the people in the ear room pay attention, they can also observe what happens in the shop.
At this time, Chen Deng was still sitting upright with his eyes lightly closed, as if he was resting his mind with his eyes closed, as if he was turning a deaf ear to what was happening outside.
At this moment, there was movement next door.
However, many scholars and gentry-looking people came in, seemingly inquiring about something.
Many people came in and asked, where is Mr. Ma’s family?
The shopkeeper in the shop was responsible for entertaining, but he only said that his boss had something to do and couldn't come to greet him.
As a result, everyone started asking about buying shares.
Immediately afterwards, the shopkeeper patiently explained that the shipping company would probably divide the shipyard into millions of shares and then sell the shares. Future profits and dividends would be distributed based on the annual profits and the number of shares in hand.
In fact, all these can be solved with just one click.
Many people were talking in low voices, some were hesitating, while others were discussing in low voices.
After learning that 300,000 shares would be sold in the future, more people started talking.
When asked about the selling price, it was ten taels of silver per share.
This price...is prohibitive.
Soon, Wu Tong also arrived. Seeing more and more people here, he was shocked and couldn't help but smile bitterly. He felt a little sorry for Ma Yu.
Soon, a few familiar faces came over and murmured to him. When he understood what was going on, Wu Tong said: "Twelve taels of silver per share? This... this is too..."
Even he felt that the price was a bit too high.
At this time, someone said: "Let's go and see, someone has posted the accounts."
Wu Tong followed the others to see the annual turnover and profit of Ma's Trading Company.
The profit amount that year was actually 370,000 taels.
So Wu Tong and others made calculations.
If calculated in terms of ten taels of silver, then the entire Ma's Trading Company is worth tens of millions of taels, which is 370,000 taels of silver per year, which means that if you invest one thousand taels, in one year, the income will be only thirty-seven taels.
silver.
Calculating it this way, it doesn't seem to be a lot, but at this time, some merchants came and started to prepare to buy.
Wu Tong and others were undecided for a moment.
When someone brought a merchant over, he whispered: "I earn thirty-seven taels a year from one thousand taels... If I buy this, is it really worth it?"
The merchant was sweating profusely and looked anxious, but said: "We can't look at this year's profit. The reason why we made a profit of 370,000 taels this year is because there are only more than 130 ships at the moment. But this fundraising is just for
Ordering more new ships will increase the size of the fleet several times in the future. Next year, the year after, five or ten years from now, the profit will not be 370,000 taels, but even 3.7 million taels may not be impossible.
.Are you new here?"
Everyone was stunned as they listened.
But I heard the merchant continue: "You can't look at this year's accounts. If you know anything about Ma's Trading Company, you have to look at their accounts from last year and the year before last. The year before last, the profit of Ma's Trading Company was only 70,000 taels. Last year,
, it becomes 160,000 taels, and the profit can be doubled in one year. This is true every year. If I could invest in this Ma's Trading Company back then, I am afraid I would have become rich overnight. If I don't buy it now, I will be able to make a profit in one year.
When it costs one million taels of silver, it is no longer the price of one share of ten taels of silver."
After everyone listened, they finally understood.
Wu Tong was also a shrewd person and immediately understood the meaning. He thought about it immediately and without saying anything else to the others, he hurried to the counter to buy shares.
He was so angry that he actually bought a thousand shares directly.
A full ten thousand taels of silver is actually nothing to a wealthy family like the Wu family.
Soon, Wu Tong noticed that there were many people arranging the scene behind him.
After Wu Tong bought the shares, he breathed a long sigh of relief, but still refused to leave. He originally wanted to find an opportunity to chat with Ma Yu, but someone pulled him aside and whispered: "Follow me."
Come."
Immediately, Wu Tong was pulled to the side room.
He was almost dragged in, and when he saw the people in the ear room, he was suddenly shocked.
At this time, his face was miserable, and he wanted to say something, but he couldn't open his mouth. Zhu Di and Zhang Anshi were people he could recognize even if they turned into ashes.
Zhu Di was more generous. He smiled at him and said, "Come on, give me a seat. Don't make a fuss. I'll have a chat with you."
Wu Tong finally calmed down a little.
In any case, he is a person who has met the Holy Spirit twice. Even if His Majesty is an unprincipled and ignorant king, for him, it will be something for him to talk about when he is old and his grandchildren will look down upon him.
Immediately, he tried hard to calm down a little and leaned over to sit down.
Zhu Di said: "I heard that you spent ten thousand taels of silver?"
Wu Tong timidly said: "Yes...yes..."
Zhu Di said: "Isn't this a small amount?"
Zhu Di's voice was quite soft, trying his best to sound friendly.
Zhang Anshi, who was sitting beside him, also laughed.
The rest, Yang Rong and others, looked curious.
Only Chen Deng, who was sitting in the corner with his eyes closed and concentrating, could not help but open his eyes and look at Wu Tong.
Wu Tongdao: "Yes, it is indeed not a small amount."
Zhu Di said: "Why are you so willing?"
Wu Tong was also determined, but he did not dare to commit the crime of deceiving the emperor, so he said calmly: "Ma Yu is the number one scholar, and I am an old friend. Regardless of his talent and learning, students can trust him more based on his virtue."
"Is that all?"
The muscles in Wu Tong's face trembled, as if he had made up his mind, and he immediately said: "I moved my family to Hezhou. I am afraid that the fields in the village will not last long. The family has a large population. Although they have a lot of ancestral business, they can rely on it."
With the shadow of our ancestors, we can live without worries about food and clothing. But...sooner or later, we will have nothing to eat. To be honest, Your Majesty, the common people have never had a good night's sleep since they came to Hezhou. I feel it is unworthy.
Descendants, I feel sorry for my ancestors. I am also worried that if this goes on for a long time, the Wu family will fall into the hands of the common people."
Zhu Di nodded secretly, but he understood.
Wu Tong continued: "But Mr. Wu can neither be named on the gold medal, serve as an official in the court, nor know how to run a business, nor can he be shameless. He imitates merchants and does business. He does have some money in his hands, so it is better to... find someone
Reliable people can do some business and give the Wu family...an extra income, otherwise...sooner or later, the whole family will be ruined."
"The common people know nothing about business matters, but after listening to some advice from Ma Yu about the operation of the shipping industry, the common people have some understanding. They feel that... they should be able to earn some money, so... they come."
Zhu Di smiled: "Aren't you afraid of being cheated?"
Wu Tongdao: "The grassroots are also people who have seen the world. The reason why they are so brave is that Ma Yu is a scholar and his family is not small. I don't think it will be like this... secondly, Hezhou's laws and regulations,
I have some understanding these days. Officials are willing to accept such lawsuits and are willing to protect buyers like Cao Min. Thirdly, the operation of the shipping industry is easy to understand and should also generate huge profits, so... although
There is also the possibility of losing all your money, but... the chances of making a profit are great."
As he spoke, Wu Tong's expression gradually became more worried, and he continued: "Of course, the most important thing is that the Wu family cannot just sit there and have nothing. Otherwise, even if it is a mountain of gold and silver, it will be exhausted sooner or later."
Zhang Anshi said from the side: "Your Majesty, this Ma Yu is really a wonderful person. Not only is he a top scholar, he can talk to scholars, but he can also explain business matters to scholars in an easy-to-understand manner. The most important thing is that
, He grasped the psychology of the gentry in Hezhou. There are so many gentry in Hezhou, and they also bring huge amounts of wealth. This wealth, in a sense, is called old money."
"This money has been passed down for countless generations. In order to avoid risks, it has been hidden in the bank vaults and cellars of these gentry families. It has been accumulated from generation to generation, but they are not willing to take it out easily."
"In the past, the gentry had money and had to either store it or use it to purchase land. Otherwise, they had no choice."
"But today, the risk of purchasing land is too high, and it is no longer possible. Especially the gentry who came to Hezhou to avoid trouble have lost their previous livelihood, and it is precisely the time when they need a new means of livelihood most.
when."
"Ma Yu saw this clearly and wanted to attract all of Hezhou Tianliang's wealth into his own hands."
Having said this, Zhang Anshi smiled and then continued: "However, only Ma Yu can do this. As for other merchants, the gentry have always despised them, so how can they hand over their money to merchants?"
Management? But if you are a gentry like Ma Yu, but you don’t know how to manage. Only Ma Yu is not only proficient in management, but also a leader among scholars, which is really rare. Your Majesty... Let’s see, this Hezhou
All the wealth will be transferred to Ma's Trading Company."
Zhu Di couldn't help but be moved after hearing this.
There are at least tens of thousands of gentry households, and I don’t know how many generations have accumulated family property. How much wealth will this be?