Many scholars are still waiting for news in teahouses.
Especially when I heard that the Ma family father and son went to the county prince's palace to cause trouble, suddenly, the scholars who usually lived in seclusion appeared like mushrooms after a rain.
I had been depressed for too long in the past few days, and the Jin Yiwei kept an eye on the scholars everywhere, causing people to panic.
So much so that everyone lives in seclusion, and even if they go out, they try their best to avoid being recognized.
But now everyone can't hold it in any longer.
This is actually understandable. Being bullied like this by Jin Yiwei every day, it was not easy for him to have a chance to vent.
The tea shop in Confucius Temple was rarely so lively today, and the tea patrons who had been reticent in the past started to open their mouths one after another at this time.
"I heard that His Majesty went there in person. It would be strange if such a big thing didn't go to Datian to hear about it. To say that the Ma family is really pitiful. It took a lot of effort to produce a champion, but in the end he didn't know whether he would live or die. Alas, it turned out to be so miserable.
situation."
"Must be dead."
"Even Duke Zhuangyuan is like this. Is there any way for us to survive?"
Everyone gritted their teeth, greeting the eighteenth generation of Jin Yiwei's ancestors in their hearts, and discussed incessantly.
"If His Majesty does not punish such a big thing, then I think the world is really hopeless."
"This is the No. 1 Scholar, and now the Ma family, father and son, are in ruins..."
As he was talking, someone suddenly came in a hurry and said breathlessly: "Oh, oh..."
Everyone suddenly stood up or raised their necks to look at the person coming.
The man was out of breath and said: "The Number One Scholar... has been found..."
As soon as these words came out, everyone in the tea shop held their breath and looked at this person with wide eyes.
"I found it. Are you alive or dead?"
"Still alive."
"This is also a fate. I must have suffered a lot." Someone showed concern.
"He went into business..."
As soon as these words came out, the tea shop became eerily quiet, and it could be said that you could hear a pin drop.
Someone coughed subconsciously and then said: "No way, no way, who forced him to do this?"
"No one forced it."
"Haha... no one forced me? The top scholar, who is so good, actually went into business? Is this possible? This must be Jin Yiwei's trick... It's just a way of subduing someone."
But this man's expression was strange: "At first, no one in Qixia believed it. But then I heard...I heard...that there is a Ma's Shipping Company in Qixia Pier, which is the business of Zhuangyuan Gong. Now everyone knows about it.
, this Masha ship
Okay, there are more than a dozen sea-going ships down there. I heard from the merchants over there that this business is not small. Not to mention other things, just talking about this ship shop, I am afraid that the value is more than one hundred thousand taels of silver. If you really want to buy and sell, it will cost twenty
Even if you have ten thousand taels of silver, you may not be able to sell it."
The tea shop became deathly quiet again.
Everyone bowed their heads slightly, and there was silence for a while.
Two hundred thousand taels of silver, I am afraid that for scholars, no matter how good their family background is and how many acres of land their family has, they would not dare to take this two hundred thousand taels of silver as a joke.
As for those who can afford two hundred thousand taels of silver, even if they tie up all the people in the tea shop, they may not be able to extort such a sum from their homes.
You might say that this horse pleasure is forced, but his worth is enough to put anyone to shame.
But they still can't figure it out. The top scholar should have entered the Hanlin Academy and become a compiler in the Hanlin Academy. This is the dream of almost all scholars. People here don't even dare to think about such a thing.
But this Ma Yu didn't care and went to engage in the business that everyone looked down upon.
Some people lowered their heads in confusion, not understanding, and then hurriedly took out a few copper coins for tea, and left as if they were bored.
Some people were thoughtful and seemed to be thinking about something.
Some people even sighed, whether they were lamenting the pity of Ma Yu or lamenting themselves.
This news was so destructive that it hit people's psychological defenses more directly than the Jin Yiwei arresting them directly and sending them to be exiled on a sea ship.
After all... that Ma Yu actually did it voluntarily.
There are also scholars who don’t understand very much.
Although such people are in the minority, they still leave in a hurry after all.
Since they couldn't find the answer, they couldn't help but look for the answer.
When they arrived in Qixia, everyone recognized the Ma family's residence. After His Majesty's personal visit, Ma Yu became a well-known person, and even the residence newspaper reported the news about him.
Therefore... the carriages and horses here are like dragons.
There were many businessmen coming, and many of them wanted to cooperate. Especially after confirming Ma Yu's identity, I always felt that investing and doing business with such a person would at least give me peace of mind.
After all, the number one scholar is a guarantee of credit.
What's more, his shipping business has begun to flourish, and Ma Yu already has a place in Qixia's shipping business.
Of course, there are also many scholars.
Ma Yu doesn't refuse anyone who comes.
He seemed very enthusiastic to the merchants who came. For business, who would not want to cooperate if there was an opportunity for cooperation? Even if it is a small business, this piece of meat is as big as a fly.
Naturally, he was more enthusiastic towards scholars, and even went to the middle gate to welcome them personally. When faced with some angry questions, he answered them one by one, until some people left in anger.
Of course, there are hundreds of kinds of people, and they all have their differences. Some people come here simply to scold you, while others want to clear up their doubts.
Faced with such a person, Ma Yu explained patiently: "Why does the Prince of Wuhu receive His Majesty's favor? It's nothing more than engaging in business. The student does this to prove to the world that I, a scholar, can also engage in business!"
Using the principles of saints, one can still become a businessman
The best in the industry. The way of the saint is as vast as the sea. Nowadays, we scholars are not as good as others in business, and we are not as good as others in work. Only in academies and in the Imperial Academy, we can stand up and talk better than others. This is why many people
It is of no use to ridicule the scholars like me."
Ma Yu kept talking and continued to elaborate: "The knowledge of the saints is more than just writing articles. The more I read the Four Books and Five Classics, the more I feel that the knowledge of the saints is indeed profound and profound. Therefore, I want to fight for this, not tell others, scholars
How amazing it is, but to tell others that we, the scholars, can do the same things that others can do, and do it better than others."
The person who came was a scholar from Jiangxi who came to the capital to take the exam. After listening, he was thoughtful and deeply moved.
Ma Yu was the number one scholar, and he went into business. However, his reputation in this subject fell behind him. It was really embarrassing to say that, so he said: "But can the study of a saint be said to be beneficial?"
"Why not?" Ma Yu said calmly: "Is it noble to just study in the study room every day? The sage said that one should cultivate one's moral character, regulate one's family, govern the country, and bring peace to the world, but many scholars only think that they are studying in the study room.
The Four Books and Five Classics
, then he was full of thoughts about governing the country and bringing peace to the world, but he didn’t know that in order to govern a country, he must first bring order to his family. Isn’t doing business the way to bring order to the family? If you can’t even do such a thing, you won’t be able to govern the country and bring peace to the world.
Isn’t the world just empty talk?”
After listening to this man, he became thoughtful again, obviously different from some people who flew into a rage and walked away. He pondered for a moment and then said: "Be taught."
When he said these two words, he seemed very sincere.
"Where is Brother Liu from in Jiangxi?"
"He is from Fuliang County."
Ma Yu thought for a moment and said, "Fuliang County, the ceramics here are famous all over the world."
The man said humbly: "Where, where."
Ma Yu smiled and said, "Porcelain from Fuliang County is not expensive in Jiangxi, I heard."
"Yes, if it is shipped to the capital, the price will at least double."
Ma Yu said: "If it goes overseas, it will be at least five times the profit."
The scholar named Liu was stunned.
Ma Yu seemed not to notice the man's surprised expression, and continued: "What's more, if it is a large-scale purchase, the cost can be even lower. If there are several kilns in Fuliang County, there will be a continuous flow of
If the freight reaches Nanjing and then goes out to sea through here, in my opinion... it will be a huge profit."
The scholar named Liu lowered his head slightly, as if he was thinking about something.
Ma Yu said: "But... having said that, it is even more difficult to be honest. It needs to be transported through many docks along the way. Coupled with the government's difficulties, this ship of porcelain has to be transported here.
The cost is not low. The most important thing is that there are too many uncertainties..."
The scholar surnamed Liu pondered and said: "Such things are difficult to say and easy to say. The student is a local gentry in Fuliang County and has some reputation. If he writes books for the local magistrate, or
Some of the piers along the way... are actually easy to manage, in this case
, the cost is probably much lower. As for the kiln entrance, there are official kilns and private kilns in Fuliang County. Regardless of the official kilns, the most difficult thing about the private kilns is... being coveted by Xiaoxiao... Students think about it, this is actually
There’s no need to worry...Liu’s family is still a bit thin in the local area.”
"The most difficult thing is transshipment, which requires boats on the river and merchants... But for the merchants, you can rest assured. In the same year, the student worked in the Jiangxi Transportation Department..."
Ma Yu said with a smile: "If so, then it will be a huge profit. The ship is easy to handle. Not only that, the ship departed from Fuliang County and transported porcelain. When it returns, I will also have porcelain shipped from various vassal states.
Zanthoxylum bungeanum, cane sugar and other commercial goods can be transported back to Jiangxi for sale. In this way, you can earn a lot of money from this round trip."
After hearing this, Liu Juren pondered and said: "Brother Ma means... do we still need to distribute expenses, cane sugar and other Western specialties?"
"nature."
"I have to think about this." Liu Juren said: "This is actually not difficult. It is nothing more than preparing a few storefronts and warehouses in the prefectural and county towns. It is just a piece of cake. The Liu family is in the eastern Jiangxi area, or there are many
Or at least, there are some ways to avoid being disturbed by others."
Ma Yu was overjoyed, his eyes lit up, and he said, "If this is the case, you and I can make a lot of money."
Liu Juren hesitated and said: "It's just..."
Ma Yu said, "The deal is done. Not to mention too much, I will get one to twenty thousand taels of silver every year. I may earn more in the future."
As soon as these words came out, Liu Juren stopped talking.
Any Juren may be inconspicuous in the capital city, but in his hometown, he must be a big shot.
After all, not to mention the fact that a person who is a successful candidate has the power to influence local decision-making, not to mention the fact that he has the power to influence local decision-making, not to mention that someone who can support a successful family must have deep connections in the local area.
Therefore... although there is no New Deal in Jiangxi, it can be said that it is inconvenient for merchants to do business, but if the Liu family is willing to get involved, things will be much smoother.
At this time, Liu Juren thought for a while and said: "This... the student has to revise his books and discuss it with his family."
"There's no rush." Ma Yu smiled and took Liu Juren's arm, saying, "In any case, Ma is waiting for good news."
This Liu Juren is gone.
Ma Yu felt quite happy, took out a pen and ink, and wrote down Liu Juren's name.
There are already seventy or eighty names in this roster, and this Liu Juren is actually just one of them.
Ma Chao poked his head outside, then slipped in and said, "Brother, this Juren... why are you so polite? It's not like we can't buy porcelain, so why do we need porcelain from his family? Even if we are buying in Qixia, there will naturally be merchants who will find ways to sell these porcelains."
The porcelain from Fuliang was delivered..."
After hearing this, Ma Yu laughed and said, "Why, how is dad's situation?"
Ma Chao said: "Dad is thinking about decorating the new house. Next month, the female relatives of the family will go to Beijing. If we don't decorate it in advance, I'm afraid it will be inconvenient."
Ma Yu suddenly said: "Dad is very good at judging people."
"What?" Ma Chao touched his head, looking confused.
Ma Yu smiled, but put aside the topic and said: "When purchasing porcelain, it depends on whoever buys it. In fact, the price is quite different."
Ma Chao was still puzzled and said: "Then..."
Ma Yu said patiently: "But this Liu Juren comes from a wealthy family in Fuliang County. We can make less money buying porcelain here. But after cooperating with him, we can also borrow their hands to buy back the porcelain we purchased in the West."
Goods have penetrated into various prefectures and counties in eastern Jiangxi, and Western specialties and goods... are certainly valuable, but if they cannot be distributed, they will be useless."
"The demand for these specialties in Taiping Mansion is indeed not small, but if you compete with other merchants in Taiping Mansion, your profits will inevitably be meager over time. If you want to truly do this long-term business, you must find a way to open up new markets.
market."
Ma Yu paused, walked a few steps, and then continued: "In this world, except for Taiping Mansion, there is no new policy in other places. The transportation and distribution of goods are very inconvenient. Not only are they easy to make things difficult for them, but also if they encounter officials,
Bandits may lose their money. Not to mention that many prefectures and counties are wary of Qixia's merchants."
"At this time, Liu Juren will be useful. His family is from a large family in eastern Jiangxi. The gentry in various prefectures and counties there may be family friends who are not his family's in-laws. As for the government... they are often related to Liu
Family Friendly, they are responsible for transshipping and distributing our Western specialties, which is equivalent to creating something out of nothing and opening up a new market."
Ma Yu said, then smiled and pointed to other names on the roster, and continued: "There is also the Wu family in Changsha, the Zhou family in Zhangde, these people... don't underestimate them, if they are willing to cooperate with us
, are more capable than many merchants. What merchants are proficient in is trading, but they are local snakes. Things that others cannot do are easy for them."
After hearing this, Ma Chao suddenly realized and said in surprise: "Brother, you are pulling a woman from the Liang family into the water."
The smile on Ma Yu's face suddenly stopped and he couldn't help but glare at him and cursed: "What nonsense are you talking about? This is a business!"
Ma Chao was annoyed and quickly apologized. Suddenly, he remembered something and said: "Brother, if you say these scholars also do business, are they scholars or merchants?"
Ma Yu smiled and said: "They may still claim to be scholars, but if one day, when their own interests are involved, they will stand with us."
Ma Chao chuckled and said: "I understand, I understand, our Ma family has become merchants. Hum! From now on, no one should be a scholar, but all should be engaged in business for me, lest they look down on us."
Ma Yu only smiled and did not respond.
…………
In the spring of the following year, countless ships set sail and sailed back, and countless ships returned.
At this time, Taiping Prefecture, not to mention the county, but also the docks of various towns, were all large in scale, and the river was filled with all kinds of cargo ships moored.
Governor Gaoxiang has to deal with the water blockage every day, and his feet almost never touch the ground.
Therefore, among Taiping Mansion's expenditures this year, the largest expenditure is to clean up the silt in various rivers, widen the river surface, and build new canals.
"Your Highness, this is the condition of the river this year. Please take a look at it."
Gao Xiang found Zhang Anshi.
Zhang Anshi didn't even look at it. He put the charter aside and said nonchalantly: "You can just deal with these. In fact, I don't understand it either."
In the past, when the amount of projects was not large, Zhang Anshi could still understand it. But now, there are projects everywhere, which require countless manpower, machinery, money and food. Zhang Anshi only reads the briefing, fearing that he will work day and night.
I can’t even finish it.
Therefore, he only asked the secretaries of the Changshi Mansion to sort out the situation.
Zhang Anshi thought of something at this time, so he asked: "How is the situation at the customs?"
Gao Xiang said: "The settlement is already underway. However, the customs office belongs directly to the county prince's palace, and the officials do not dare to interfere in many matters. How about your highness please ask Mr. Yu to ask?"
Zhang Anshi shook his head and said: "Forget it, he is also very busy. He has to watch so many tax collectors. There are so many ships entering the port every day. I don't know how many things are going on."
Gao Xiang smiled and said: "I have also heard about this, and I heard that Mr. Zai is a selfless man. Everyone is afraid of him. All the tax collectors under him are also merciless. Now, everyone in Taiping Mansion is here."
It is said that...we are not afraid of the royal guards, but we are afraid of the customs officials."
Zhang Anshi said: "In this world, if you want to achieve anything, you first need money, and then you need information. Without money, everything is empty talk, so this tax collector is more important than the Jin Yiwei, which is not wrong."
Zhang Anshi stood up, sighed, and said: "I am looking forward to the customs tax accounts day and night. It's just that Yu Qian hasn't turned in the accounts yet. He is not in a hurry, but I am anxious to death."
Gao Xiang looked at Zhang Anshi and said, "How about I urge you to ask?"
"Let's do it at his own pace." Zhang Anshi shook his head and said, "In case I don't want to cause trouble, I'd better wait for him to send it himself."