Chapter five hundred and fortieth: Man is a knife and I am fish
After Hu Mu handed over the task, his face seemed not to look good.
This made Liu Zhan feel strange. Hu Mu's face was sullen, so he didn't ask too much.
It happened two days later.
Hu Mu went on duty and invited his brother Hu Sui to come to the house.
When Hu Sui came, he was in a good posture. He was sitting in an exquisite carriage. The horse pulling the carriage was all white and looked very handsome. Hu Sui was wearing a fashionable satin dress, with long sleeves folded up, revealing the smooth
Silk lining.
He walked in with square steps, glanced at the room, and said with a smile: "Brother, why is your dormitory so small...ah ha..."
Hu Sui's temperament has always been cheerful and optimistic, but now because of her talent, she is a bit bohemian.
It's just that when I was in my hometown in Jishui, I was tightly controlled by my family, but now I have returned to my true nature.
Hu Mu prepared a few side dishes. After taking a good look at him, he said, "Don't be like this. Sit down."
Hu Sui had no choice but to nod and sit down.
Hu Mu said: "Are you okay outside now?"
Hu Sui then laughed: "There are too many people attending the opera, and theater troupes everywhere are enthusiastic. It seems that the New Deal is really good! How many people attended the opera in the past? They can't even eat! It's different now.
, I heard that opera troupes are popping up one after another, but there are opera troupes, but they just need scripts. As the saying goes, there is no opera without words. If you always sing those clichés, everyone will be tired of it, so... now...
All the major opera troupes came to me to ask for ink."
Hu Sui raised his head slightly, with a look of pride on his face.
Hu Mu sighed quietly and said: "If this continues for a long time, it will eventually be bad."
After hearing this, Hu Sui was a little excited and said: "It won't last forever. As long as there are people in this world, he has to listen to the show."
"That's not what Brother Wei is talking about." Hu Mu said, "I am talking about Java."
"This?" Hu Sui smiled and looked at the worried Hu Mu.
Then, Hu Sui said: "Brother, what did you hear?"
Hu Mu shook his head: "That's not true."
Hu Sui picked up the wine cup in front of him. After drinking a glass of water and wine, he smacked his lips and then said: "Brother, you are worried about me, but since brother knows, is this stupid brother a fool? Things in Java,
It will definitely not last long. This money...can he still give it to me every year? Even if he is willing to support Yu Di, Yu Di will still not be happy."
Hu Mu couldn't help but said: "If you can do this, it will be the best. As a human being, you should keep to yourself..."
Hu Sui said cheerfully: "Young brother is not going to hang himself on a tree! A few days ago, I contacted people from Lin's Wood Industry. My brother knows about Lin's Wood Industry, right? It is also a leader in the wood manufacturing industry."
A big trading company waiting for me has promised me that as long as I add a few strokes to my script, they will give me a thousand taels of silver! Brother, you don’t know that as long as I write the script, the troupe will appear on the stage the next day
, these libretto and script will be spread to Zhili within ten days, and within a month, opera troupes all over the world will follow suit..."
Hu Mu: "..."
Hu Sui smiled again and said: "Don't think that this one thousand taels of silver is an astronomical sum, but in fact, in the eyes of these big merchants, what does it really mean? They have money, and they just want a good deal.
Reputation, and here... a libretto may make them impress others, do you think one thousand taels of silver is expensive?"
Hu Mu smiled bitterly and said: "You, you..."
Then the sound stopped, with a very helpless look.
Hu Sui continued proudly: "Brother, please don't come here to teach me a lesson. What time is it now? Now that the New Deal has begun, it's not what it used to be. You are working hard at the Railway Department. Don't you know that this is the current trend?"
Really? As a brother, I just let nature take its course. I neither stole nor robbed. And I have no pardon with our father. What's wrong with that?"
Hu Mu said with concern in his eyes: "I'm just afraid that you will suffer a loss."
"I can't bear the loss." Hu Sui became serious and put away his humorous look, but said seriously: "I have planned to set up a trading company and do everything else. I will only concentrate on writing scripts for others.
Hire people to negotiate with merchants and theater troupes. There doesn’t need to be too many people. Bring a few disciples. In this way... I won’t have to worry about negotiating in the future. I can just concentrate on writing the script. That’s it.
Or give guidance to your disciples, wouldn’t you be happy?”
Hu Mu frowned, opened his eyes slightly, and said, "If father knew..."
Hu Mu, however, said indifferently: "If my father knew, he would know. He is old and has not changed from the past. I used to listen to him everywhere, but so what? He locked himself up and studied for a lifetime, but he did it himself
Go to the official office."
After a pause, Hu Sui looked Hu Mu up and down, and then said: "Brother, you and dad look more and more alike. You have too many things to worry about... and you want to take care of everything."
Hu Mu could only say: "This is because of the difference in circumstances between you and me."
Hu Sui smiled and said: "We came to Raozhou together, how come our circumstances are so different?"
Hu Mu spoke in a profound and authentic way: "You came to Raozhou to write scripts for people, and the people you came into contact with were the people wearing new clothes and hurriedly bringing their families out to listen to the opera."
After a pause, he continued: "But as an official, I came into contact with people who were in rags, unkempt, and sickly. They had settled down temporarily, but then left their hometowns. They were frightened and worried. Alas...
…”
Hu Mu opened the conversation and said with a deep feeling on his face: "In the past...it's not like I haven't seen such people, but they were trapped in poverty or...famine, but I didn't feel much at all. At that time, I just felt that I
Since they came from a scholarly family, the reason why they met like this is of course because they are not smart enough and stupid, so they are like this. But in the past six months, I have had a lot of feelings."
Hu Sui stood up and poured wine for Hu Mu.
Hu Mu did not drink and continued: "But after I dealt with them as an official, I realized that they are not unruly. Whenever you arrange for them, they will be very grateful to you. If you give them a job, most of them will be willing to do it."
They worked hard. What’s even more frightening is that many of them... After learning that studying can lead to a better situation, and once they can have enough food and drinks, they are actually willing to buy books and work hard. Some people... all because of
If you study on your own, you can even learn to read and write."
At this point, Hu Mu's expression looked a little gloomy, and he continued: "Now that I think about it carefully, it's really scary. You and I usually pride ourselves on being from a scholarly family, so why are we different from others?
, it depends on us reading, and reading well, and taking this as the basis of pride. But now we know that even people in ragged clothes are not actually inferior to us in intelligence. If they learn to know the book and reason,
They will never do worse than us. They don’t need famous teachers or supervision, and sometimes the reading skills they master are definitely not comparable to that of you and me.”
Hu Sui couldn't help but laugh: "Why, with these emotions, my brother is worried that he will be caught up with someone."
Hu Mu waved his hand and said: "This is not my original intention. I am only talking about my experience. It is because of these experiences that I understand the horror of this New Deal. Everyone says that the New Deal is good. The New Deal is good because it can
Gathering money, I don’t think so.”
"Those who have always been able to achieve great things have always been able to reserve talents. The more talents there are and how well they can be put to their full use, then there will be nothing impossible in the world. Hasn't this been true in all dynasties?"
"But how many so-called talented people have been in the past dynasties? After all, there are so many people who study, and there are even fewer people who have far-sightedness. However, the New Deal has taught more than 95% of those who cannot study.
People have also begun to get in touch with books. In order to change, they are more willing to work hard. I have personally seen laborers quarrying rocks and reciting poems at the same time. Think about it, how many people will emerge in a few or ten years?
Talents? I'm afraid... there will be ten or twenty times more than today. They will be more hardworking, more hardworking, and more patient. By then, if we don't take advantage of an heir of poetry and calligraphy, how can we do it?
How does it compare to them?”
Hu Sui said: "Brother, these words should make people think twice."
Hu Sui actually became serious, frowned slightly, and then fell into deep thought.
This made Hu Mu very pleased, so he continued: "With so many talents spread all over the world, what will the future of the Ming Dynasty be like? I really dare not imagine it, but people can't help but be fascinated by it. Maybe then,
Even when the world was at its most prosperous, the Han and Tang dynasties would pale in comparison."
Seeing that Hu Sui was still frowning and seemed to be touched by Hu Mu's words, Hu Mu paused and quietly picked up the wine cup and drank the wine without disturbing him.
At this time, Hu Sui slapped his gum and stood up, and couldn't help but said: "Haha, brother is so right."
"Where is that right?" Hu Mu put down his wine cup, stroking his beard and looking at him happily.
Hu Sui showed a big smile and continued: "I plan to write a story about a hard worker. His family all starved to death, and he was looked down upon by the world. When he was at the end of his rope, he worked hard to make a living while silently studying and teaching.
Today he is bullied by people all over the world, but one day he will ride on the wind and rise. My brother is right. There are many people in Zhili and Raozhou who are in this situation now. They must be very touched after hearing this play. As for what he said,
Scholars like us are tired of hearing the words of scholars, so if we need a change of taste, we will definitely feel novel."
Hu Mu: "..."
Hu Sui said happily: "I'm afraid these alone are not enough...or rather...not enough...Yes, there should be a girl...childhood sweethearts, but it's a pity that both families are poor, and that girl's
My parents disliked the poor and loved the rich, so they betrothed their daughter to someone else... Do you think this...is it appropriate?"
Hu Mu frowned and finally said: "Forget it, let's drink."
Hu Sui said happily: "I need to polish this storybook for ten days and a half, and I won't release it easily for a while. I have to wait and see if there are any big merchants recently...who are willing to give me money. They don't have two thousand taels."
, I refuse."
The two brothers, you and I spoke eloquently, but they didn't seem to make sense.
However, they are connected by blood after all. Even if they talk to each other, there is no barrier, and the brothers get along quite harmoniously.
The two brothers ate while talking. After they had had enough wine and food, it was already getting late.
Hu Mu stood up to see Hu Sui off, but Hu Mu couldn't help but warn him: "Brother, there are some dissatisfied gentry and their eagle dogs outside causing trouble. You should be more careful when you go out."
Hu Sui was in a good mood and said cheerfully: "Don't worry, I will hire some guards in a few days. Besides, this is the jurisdiction of Raozhou Station. Let's see which thief dares to make a mistake."
Hu Mu just smiled at him and pursed his lips.
Hu Sui waved his hand freely and said: "Let's go."
"Be careful on the road."
After Hu Mu finished speaking, he looked at Hu Sui quietly, planning to watch him leave before taking a rest.
Hu Sui felt that something was wrong, so he asked doubtfully: "Brother, why didn't you teach me a lesson today?"
Hu Mu couldn't help but feel dumbfounded, and said with a smile: "Do you really want me to scold you?"
Hu Sui stuck out her tongue: "It's just that I don't look like you today. I'm really gone."
With that said, without further ado, he directly lowered the curtain of the carriage, gave instructions to the coachman, and the carriage drove away against the darkening sky.
…………
Half a month later, an express report was quickly sent to the capital.
In Wenyuan Pavilion.
Because the Mid-Autumn Festival is approaching, it is a day for family reunions, but many officials who have left Beijing cannot be reunited with their families, but even so, everyone is happy.
This year is different from previous years. In previous years, many people were very tight, but this year, not only did their salaries increase significantly, but they also paid them in full early.
All of a sudden, it felt very pleasant.
Inside Wenyuan Pavilion, the atmosphere was actually not tense at all.
The officials are in a good mood, everyone is no longer making trouble, and everyone is at peace. In the past, everyone had resentment in their hearts. If you think about it carefully, it may be because they are always in arrears of salary.
But now everyone is safe and sound, which is also a good thing for Wenyuan Pavilion.
What's more, Qixia Trading Company customized many mooncakes, and Zhang Anshi also had someone send one to Wenyuan Pavilion.
In fact, at this time in previous years, the emperor would also ask the palace supervisor to prepare some food and give it to Wenyuan Pavilion. However, most of the food was difficult to swallow. The emperor would not eat it anyway. The emperor ate it by himself, and the ministers ate it.
, but dare not say anything bad.
On the other hand, the mooncakes customized by Qixia Trading Company are different from other places, especially the sweet and greasy bean paste filling, which is even more praiseworthy.
Zhang Anshi actually did not expect that this sweet bean paste mooncake would become the most popular. Not only did hundreds of officials like it, but the sales were also very popular.
Food is the most important thing for the people, but for thousands of years, food has always been in short supply. Therefore, simplicity and frugality have to be promoted.
It's like Zhang Anshi, a later generation, really can't accept greasy pork. However, Zhang Anshi's ancestors always have a special liking for fat meat. In the final analysis, it's just because they have a real history of not being able to eat.
It's just a hungry memory.
Early that morning, Zhang Anshi arrived at Wenyuan Pavilion.
I heard that several Wenyuan Pavilion bachelors were having tea in the study, so I immediately went there.
After he came in, he sat down quietly on a chair.
At this time, Xie Jin was talking about the situation of the troops entering the vassal towns and the various strategies adopted by each vassal town to repel the foreigners.
Regarding the strategy of repelling the foreigners, Jie Jin has always valued it. The strategies adopted by so many vassal towns are different, and the effects are naturally good and bad. Some people think that the court should give appropriate guidance to the vassal kings, but
Xie Jin didn't see it this way, but believed that how to advance troops and how to fight off the barbarians were the affairs of each vassal. Let them take their own measures and finally sum up their gains and losses.
After Zhang Anshi sat down, he just nodded to everyone and listened quietly on the sofa.
At this time, Xie Jin smiled and said: "His Royal Highness King Zhao is the most successful in Java. This is not because someone is bragging, but it is actually because of His Highness King Zhao's forge ahead. This year, King Zhao opened up 500 miles of land and built a city.
Six buildings, with a real population of 37,000 households, within three years, I am afraid that all Java Island will be owned by His Highness King Zhao."
Taking a sip of tea, Xie Jin continued with a smile: "Of course, I am not praising him, but I think that at this time, it is the time to be more cautious. It is easy to expand the land, but it is the most difficult to maintain the business. How to digest so much
How to cultivate the land, how to feel at ease, and how to prevent the soldiers from being called arrogant and brave generals, this is the real test. Lords, we are waiting in the capital, sitting and discussing the truth. But we don’t know the hardships overseas...Here, every day
Expanding a mile of land is extremely difficult and requires bloodshed!"
"It is precisely because it is not easy that it needs to be cherished. From my perspective, the imperial court really needs to draw up a charter. It has to think of ways to see if it can help in this regard."
Hu Guang stroked his beard and listened carefully. After a long time, he said: "Jie Gong, we have expanded so much land overseas. We already have all the land of the imperial court. But under the New Deal, why do we take the lead in taking the land of the gentry?
?”
After saying this, he felt that his words were a bit too straightforward, so he added: Don't misunderstand me, I just have doubts in my heart. The new policy... is naturally beneficial to the country and the people..."
Everyone looked at him and laughed.
Regarding the issue of gentry land, Hu Guang has always had a hard time letting go. Although he now hates the shamelessness of some gentry, he always feels that the conflict need not be so sharp.
But Xie Jin said: "Isn't His Highness right here? I should ask His Highness."
Zhang Anshi laughed and said: "Don't ask me, don't ask..."
Jin Youzi, who had been silent all this time, suddenly said: "What will be the outcome of Shang Yang's reform?"
As soon as these words came out, all the laughter stopped, causing Hu Guang and others to suddenly feel chills.
Hu Guang couldn't help but frown and said: "What Jin Gong means...any new policy will inevitably lead to life and death. There is no room for change. Even Shang Jun will inevitably end up with his car broken. Therefore, there is no way to talk about the golden mean."
"
Jin Youzi said seriously: "Judging from the lessons of past dynasties, this is indeed the case."
Hu Guang took a breath and sighed: "This may not be unreasonable. Hey... a good national plan, why do you have to fight for it like animals? Humans are inferior to animals..."
Seeing everyone's expressions change slightly, the atmosphere became more solemn.
Hu Guang said quickly: "Masters, don't get me wrong, I'm not talking about you."