my brother-in-law is the prince

Chapter 437 The Great Eruption of Taiping Mansion

Many scholars are still waiting for the news in the tea shop.

Especially after hearing that Ma's father and son had gone to the county prince's mansion to cause trouble, all of a sudden, scholars who usually live in secluded places appeared like mushrooms after a spring rain.

Frustrated for too long a few days ago, Jin Yiwei followed the scholars everywhere, causing people to panic.

So much so that everyone lives in seclusion, and even when they go out, they try their best to avoid being recognized by others.

But now everyone can't hold back anymore.

This is actually understandable, being bullied by Jin Yiwei every day, it's hard to get a chance to vent.

The tea shop in the Confucius Temple was so lively today, the tea drinkers who didn't like to talk in the past all opened their mouths now.

"I heard that His Majesty went there in person. It would be strange not to hear about such a big matter. The Ma family is really pitiful. It took a lot of trouble for a champion to be born in the family, but in the end he didn't know his life or death. Alas, it has come down to such a desolate situation." situation."

"Definitely dead."

"Even the number one scholar is like this, do we still have a way to survive?"

Everyone gritted their teeth, greeting the eighteenth generation of Jin Yiwei's ancestors in their hearts, discussing incessantly.

"If His Majesty doesn't punish you for such a big matter, then in my opinion, there is really no cure in this world."

"This is Mr. Zhuangyuan. Now the two of them, father and son of the Ma family, are desperate..."

Just as he was talking, someone came in a hurry and said out of breath, "Oh, oh..."

Everyone jumped up one after another, or raised their necks to look at the person coming.

The man was out of breath and said: "Duke Zhuangyuan... I found it..."

As soon as the words came out, the people in the tea shop held their breaths and looked at this man with wide eyes.

"I found it, is it alive or dead?"

"Still alive."

"This is fate, so I must have suffered a lot." Someone showed concern.

"He's in business..."

As soon as this remark came out, the tea shop became strangely quiet in vain, and it could be said that a needle fell.

Someone coughed subconsciously, and then said: "No way, no way, who forced him to do this?"

"No one forced it."

"Heh... No one forced it? A well-endowed number one scholar actually went into business? Is this possible? This must be a trick of Jin Yiwei... It's just a means of beating him into a trick."

But the man's expression was strange: "At first, no one in Qixia believed it. But later I heard... I heard... There is a Ma's Boat Company in Qixia Wharf, which is the property of the champion. Now everyone knows about it. , There are more than a dozen sea-going ships under the Mashi Shipping Company. I heard from the merchants over there that the business is not small. Not to mention other things, the value of this shipping company is probably more than 10 taels of silver. Buying and selling, 20 taels of silver, people may not sell it."

The tea shop became deadly quiet again.

Everyone bowed their heads slightly, silent for a while.

20 taels of silver, I am afraid that for a scholar, no matter how good the family background is, no matter how many acres of land the family has, they would not dare to take the 20 taels of silver as a joke.

As for those who can take out 20 taels of silver, even if they tie up all the people in this teahouse, they may not be able to extort such a sum from their homes.

You could say that Ma Yu was forced, but his worth is enough to make anyone ashamed.

But they still couldn't figure it out, the top scholar should have entered the Imperial Academy and became a scholar of the Imperial Academy. This is the dream of almost all scholars, and most of the people here dare not even think about such a thing.

But this Ma Yu is disdainful of caring, and actually engages in business that everyone despises the most.

Someone lowered his head in bewilderment, he didn't understand, and then hurriedly took out a few copper coins for tea money, and left without paying attention.

There are also people who are thoughtful, seeming to be thinking about something.

Some even sighed, not knowing whether they were lamenting Ma Yu's pity, or lamenting themselves.

The lethality of this news is too strong, it is even better than Jin Yiwei directly arresting them and sending them to sea ship for exile, it also directly hits people's psychological defense.

After all... Ma Yu did it voluntarily.

There are also scholars who do not understand.

Although such people are a minority, after all, they still leave in a hurry.

Since they couldn't find the answer, they couldn't help but look for it.

When they arrived in Qixia, the Ma family's mansion, everyone had already recognized it. After His Majesty's personal visit, Ma Yu became a well-known person, and even the mansion newspaper reported his news.

So...there is a lot of horses and horses here.

There are many merchants here, and many people want to cooperate, especially after confirming Ma Yu's identity, I always feel that investing and doing business with such people is at least reassuring.

The number one scholar, after all, is a guarantee of credit.

What's more, his shipping business has started to flourish, and Qixia's shipping business already has a place for Ma Yu.

Of course, there are also many readers.

Ma Yu never refuses anyone who comes.

For the merchants who came, he seemed very enthusiastic. For business, who would not want to cooperate whenever there is an opportunity to cooperate?Even if it is a small business, the size of a fly is a piece of meat.

Naturally, he was more enthusiastic towards scholars, and even went to the middle gate to greet them personally, and greeted them, and answered one by one when someone asked them angrily, until someone left in anger.

Of course, there are hundreds of different types of people, each with their own differences. Some people come here purely to scold, while others just want to dispel doubts in their hearts.

Facing such a person, Ma Yu patiently explained: "Wuhu County King, how can you be favored by His Majesty? It is nothing more than a business. By doing this, students want to prove to the world that I, a scholar, can also be a businessman!" With the principles of the sages, one can still become a leader in business. The way of the sages is as vast as the sea. We scholars are not as good as people in business and workmanship. Strong, that's why many people ridicule me and other scholars as useless."

Ma Yu eloquently continued, and continued to elaborate: "The knowledge of a sage is not just for writing? The more I read the Four Books and Five Classics, the more I feel that the knowledge of a sage is profound and profound. Therefore, I want to fight for this, not to tell others, scholars How amazing it is, but I want to tell others that what others can do, I and other scholars can do the same, and I can do it better than others.”

It was a scholar who came from Jiangxi to the capital to take the exam. After listening to it, he was thoughtful and quite touched.

Ma Yu was the number one scholar, and he went into business.But he was not famous in this subject, so he was really ashamed to say it, so he said: "But the study of sages, can it be said to be beneficial?"

"Why not?" Ma Yu said calmly: "Is it worthwhile to just read in the study every day? The saints say that self-cultivation, family governance, and the world are peaceful, but many scholars only think that they read in the study. After reading the Four Books and Five Classics, I am full of thoughts about governing the country and the world, but I don’t know that if you want to govern your country, you must first regulate your family. Isn’t this business the way to regulate your family? If you can’t even do such a thing , governing the country and the world, isn’t it empty talk?”

After listening to this person, he was thoughtful again, obviously different from some people who jumped into a rage and left in a huff. He pondered for a moment and then said: "Teach me."

When he said these two words, he seemed very sincere.

"Where is Brother Liu from Jiangxi?"

"It's from Fuliang County."

Ma Yu thought for a while and said, "Fuliang County, the ceramics here are famous all over the world."

The man said modestly, "Where, where."

Ma Yu smiled and said, "Porcelain from Fuliang County is not expensive in Jiangxi."

"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 as beneficial."

The scholar surnamed Liu was taken aback.

Ma Yu didn't seem to see the man's surprised expression, and continued: "What's more, if it is a large-scale purchase, the cost price can be even lower. If there are several kilns in Fuliang County, there will be a steady stream of kilns. Cargo to Nanjing, and then go to sea through here, in my opinion... it is a huge profit."

The scholar surnamed Liu lowered his head slightly, as if thinking about something.

Ma Yu said: "However... Even so, in reality, it is even more difficult. Along the way, there are many docks to be transshipped. In addition to the difficulties of the government, the porcelain in this ship 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 he has some reputation. If it is to write books for the local county magistrate, or Some piers along the way... are actually easy to manage. In this case, the cost will be much lower. As for the kilns, there are official kilns and private kilns in Fuliang County. Regardless of official kilns, private kilns are the most difficult... Is it coveted by Xiao Xiao... think about it, students, you don't need to worry about this... Mrs. Liu is still a little bit unsightly in the local area."

"The most difficult thing is the transfer. You need a boat on the river, and you need a business guide... But you can rest assured about the business guide. The students have a year and work in the Jiangxi Transportation Department..."

Ma Yu smiled and said: "If that's the case, then it's a lot of money. The boat is easy to handle, not only that, the boat departs from Fuliang County, and the porcelain is transported. When I return, I have here from various feudal states. Pepper, sucrose, and other commodities can be transported back to Jiangxi for sale, and in this way, this trip back and forth can earn two ends of the money."

After hearing this, Liu Juren murmured, "Brother Ma, what you mean is... do you still need to distribute western specialties such as expenses and cane sugar?"

"nature."

"I have to think about it." Liu Juren said, "It's actually not difficult. It's nothing more than preparing a few storefronts and warehouses in the prefectural and county towns. It's just a piece of cake. Or at least, there are some connections, and they will not be disturbed by others."

Ma Yu was overjoyed, his eyes lit up, and he said, "If that's the case, you and I will get a lot of money."

Liu Juren hesitated and said, "It's just..."

But Ma Yu said: "This business is done well, let's not say too much every year, 2 taels of silver, but it's easy to grab, and I may earn more in the future."

As soon as this remark came out, Liu Juren stopped talking.

Any Juren may be inconspicuous in the capital, but if he is in his hometown, he must be a big shot.

After all, not to mention that Juren's fame is in the local area, he already has the power to influence local decision-making, not to mention that he can support a Juren family, and he must have deep connections in the local area.

So... Although there is no new policy in Jiangxi, it is inconvenient for merchants to do business, but if the Liu family is willing to get involved, things will go much smoother.

At this time, Liu Juren thought for a while and said, "This...students have to study books and discuss with their families."

"It's not urgent." Ma Yu smiled and pulled Liu Juren's arm, and said, "Anyway, Ma is waiting for the good news."

This Liu Juren left.

Ma Yu was in a happy mood, took a pen and ink, and wrote down Liu Juren's name.

In this roster, there are already seventy or eighty names, 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 his. Even if we buy it in Qixia, naturally there are merchants who will find a way to sell this Porcelain from Fuliang is here..."

After hearing this, Ma Yu laughed, and said, "Why, what's going on with Dad?"

Ma Chao said: "Father is thinking about furnishing a new house. Next month, the family members will go to Beijing. If we don't furnish it earlier, I'm afraid it will be inconvenient."

Ma Yu said abruptly, "Father is very accurate in seeing people."

"What?" Ma Chao touched his head, looking dazed.

Ma Yu smiled, but put aside the subject, and said, "When buying porcelain, everyone pays for it. In fact, the prices vary widely."

Ma Chao was still puzzled, and said, "Then..."

Ma Yu said patiently: "But this Liu Juren is from a wealthy family in Fuliang County. We can earn less from purchasing porcelain here. After we cooperate with them, we can borrow their hands to sell the porcelain we purchased in Xiyang." The goods have penetrated into the counties in eastern Jiangxi, and Western specialties and goods... are of course valuable, but if they cannot be distributed, it will not work."

"The demand for these special products in Taiping Prefecture is indeed not small, but if you compete with other merchants in Taiping Prefecture, the profits will inevitably be meager over time. If you want to really do a good job in this long-term business, you must find a way to open up new ones. market."

Ma Yu paused, took a few steps, and then said: "In this world, except for the Taiping Mansion, there are no new policies in other places. The transportation and distribution of goods are very inconvenient. Bandits may lose their money. What's more, most of the prefectures and counties are wary of merchants in Qixia."

"At this time, this Liu Juren is useful. His family is a big family in the east of Jiangxi. The gentry in various prefectures and counties there may be family friends if they are not his family's in-laws. As for the government...often also with Liu The family is friendly, and they are responsible for transshipment and distribution of our Western specialties, which is tantamount to creating something out of nothing and opening up a new market."

As Ma Yu said, he smiled and clicked on other names in the roster, and continued: "There are also the Wu family from Changsha, the Zhou family from Zhangde, these people...don't underestimate them, if they are willing to cooperate with us , Greater than many merchants, merchants are proficient in business, but they are local snakes, things that others cannot do, but for them, it is easy."

After hearing this, Ma Chao suddenly realized, and said in amazement, "Brother, you are the wife of Laliang's family."

The smile on Ma Yu's face stopped immediately, she couldn't help but glared at him, and cursed: "What nonsense are you talking about, this is a business!"

Ma Chao was annoyed, and hurriedly apologized. Suddenly, he remembered something, and said: "Brother, if you say that these scholars have also done business, are they scholars or merchants?"

Ma Yu smiled and said: "Maybe they still talk about scholars, but if one day, when their own interests are involved, they will stand with us."

Ma Chao chuckled and said, "Understood, I understand, our Ma family has become a merchant. Hmph! From now on, no one should be a scholar, but let me be a businessman, lest they look down on us."

Ma Yu just smiled and didn't respond.

…………

In the spring of the next year, countless ships set sail to sea, and countless ships returned one after another.

At this time, the Taiping Mansion, not to mention the county, but the wharves of the towns were all large in scale, and all kinds of cargo ships moored filled the river.

Governor Gao Xiang had to deal with the blockage of the water every day, almost without touching the ground.

Therefore, among the expenditures of the Taiping Mansion this year, the biggest expenditure is to clean up the silt in various rivers, widen the river surface, and build new canals.

"Your Highness, this is the current situation 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 regulations aside, and said indifferently: "You can deal with these, but in fact, this king can't understand it."

In the past, Zhang Anshi could still understand when the project volume was not large, but now, there are projects everywhere, which require countless manpower, machinery, and money. I can't finish it either.

Therefore, he only let the Shu Zuo of Changshi Mansion be responsible for sorting 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 is directly under the county prince's mansion, and the lower officials dare not intervene in many matters. How about, Your Highness invite Mr. Yu to ask?"

Zhang Anshi shook his head and said: "Forget it, he is also very busy. He has to watch over so many tax collectors. There are so many ships entering the port every day. I don't know how many things happen."

Gao Xiang smiled and said: "The lower officials have also heard that Mr. Yu is ruthless and selfless. Everyone is afraid of him, and all the tax collectors under him are merciless. Now, everyone in the Taiping Mansion According to the legend, it is... not afraid of Jinyiwei, but afraid of customs officials."

Zhang Anshi said: "In this world, if you want to accomplish something, you need money first, and information second. Without money, everything is empty talk, so this tax collector is more important than Jin Yiwei, and it is not wrong."

Zhang Anshi stood up, sighed, and said, "I'm looking forward to it day and night, it's the tax account of the customs, but this Yu Qian hasn't turned in the account yet, he is not in a hurry, but this king is in a hurry."

Gao Xiang looked at Zhang Anshi and said, "Why don't you ask me?"

"Come at his own pace." Zhang Anshi shook his head and said, "In order not to cause me any trouble, I'd better wait for him to send it by himself."