Emperor Ming Dynasty

Chapter 1009 Consort
June is like fire, scorching the north.

However, as the heart of the Ming Dynasty, the city of Beijing is as prosperous as ever.

Today's Chongwenmen is ten miles away, but it is extraordinarily lively.

crackling.

A large number of firecrackers were lit.

The children covered their ears, and then, regardless of their parents' involvement, wanted to take away the jumping firecrackers.

Several shirtless men climbed on the roof and watched with great interest.

"Turn on the train, look at the train—"

On the road, the children who still had time to grab their seats kept running, sweating profusely, which aroused many people's interest.

I saw two rails, deep into the ground, only the rails were exposed to prevent the horseshoe from being caught.

And the wide track formed by it, together with the sleepers, is one foot long, about half a foot higher than the surface, like a long dragon, winding and spectacular.

On both sides of the railroad tracks, fences were set up to prevent people from sneaking in and being hit.

In front of the station, there was a sea of ​​people, and several well-known gentry and wealthy businessmen showed their faces happily, but the real protagonist was Shuntian Fu Yin: Zhu Yiquan.

As a civil servant from the clan, although Zhu Yiquan was only from Juren, but at the age of 54, he has already become the Governor of Shuntian, half a foot into the ranks of important officials of the court.

This is basically his top too.

Unless the emperor grants him a Jinshi background, just like Jackie Chan.

Zhu Yiquan was also prepared in his heart. He had always followed the rules and had no chance of making great achievements. Therefore, after being the Governor of Shuntian, he was promoted to be the Minister of the Eight Departments, which was already his best result.

"Fu Zun." Several businessmen came over kindly.

"Hmm!" Zhu Yiquan looked at the six white horses and the long carriage, and said with emotion, "This is the third railway track of Beijing Chengtong!"

"I don't know how many railway tracks will reach Beijing in the future."

The first railway track in Beijing leads to Yuquan Mountain, about [-] miles away; the second track leads to Tianjin, [-] miles away.

And the third one is going to Baoding, the capital of Hebei.

Among them, passing through Liangxiang, Fangshan, Zhuozhou, Laishui, Dingxing, Rongcheng, Xiongxian, Ansu, and finally Baoding, there are many windings, so it reaches four hundred miles.

This is the opening to traffic between Hebei Province and Beijing, which is of great significance.

Politically speaking, Beijing can better control Hebei, thereby maintaining the stability of Gyeonggi.

Economically, it is more convenient for Beijing to suck blood.

"What the Master said is true, the time is not far away." At this time, a refined man echoed, his face full of approval.

When Zhu Yiquan saw it, his expression softened a lot.

It turned out to be Xue Chongwen, the helm of the Xue family, a big merchant and an imperial merchant in Gyeonggi.

It is rumored that he is friendly with the Jia family, historians, etc., and has a wide range of friends among the nobles, so he is naturally very different from ordinary merchants.

After saying a few hasty words, Zhu Yiquan left.

After boarding the carriage, he waved his sleeves and said angrily: "A mere merchant, a lowly person, dares to intervene. If it was in the previous court, I would directly hold the mouth of thirty big mouths."

The master on the side smiled wryly and said: "Don't be angry, now the government and the public are focusing on business and profit, and Xue's family is an imperial merchant, so it is not worth getting angry."

"I'm still in the clan!" Zhu Yiquan retorted, then muttered: It's not about women.

After the officials left, the atmosphere gradually relaxed.

At this time, Xue Chongwen was living at home, shaking his head and said softly: "The railway track from Datong to the capital is already under construction, and it may be open to traffic by this time next year."

"That's seven hundred miles."

As soon as these words came out, the merchants clicked their tongues.

"The railway track, the most important weapon of the country, attracts the attention of the government and the public. No matter how long or far it is, it must be repaired."

Although Zhu Yiquan didn't know the cost of the rails, just [-] miles of rails was a lot of money.

"Mr. Xue, how much does it cost?"

Because of Xue Chongwen's status as an imperial merchant, both officials and businessmen respect him.

"From Beijing to Baoding, every mile is 5000 yuan in silver dollars, and 200 miles is 300 million yuan, plus sleepers, roadbed sandstone, and artificial labor, it is about [-] million yuan."

Xue Chongwen shook the paper fan, quite proudly.

Because the two-day railway track from Datong to Beijing and from Baoding to Beijing is basically jointly organized by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and local merchants.

Among them, Huangshang occupies a large part of the quota.

Ordinary merchants are not eligible to participate at all.

"Can you make money back?" At this time, someone puzzled and said: "Tianjin to Beijing is crowded with people. Even if you work overtime, you don't have to worry about people. Datong Prefecture has been barren since ancient times. Although there are more gazelle and wool in recent years Wait, but there are not many people..."

Everyone agreed one after another, this is indeed the reason.

Nowadays, the capacity of the railway tracks is insufficient, and it can only transport people, and the flow of people is the key.

"It can't be said."

Xue Chongwen shook his head, pretending to be mysterious and said: "This matter must be profitable, otherwise how can we give money for nothing?"

"You will understand in the future. I advise everyone, if there are railway tracks in the future, you must participate!"

After speaking, he gave Shi Shi away.

The businessmen were left in a daze, looking at each other in blank dismay, not knowing what to say.

Princess Huaining Mansion.

As the eldest princess, her princess mansion is half the size of the prince's mansion.

And the one who was lucky enough to marry Princess Huaining was Chen Muning, the son of Chen Yongfu, Duke of Restoration.

As the captain's son-in-law, Chen Muning is very young, only three years older than the princess, and now he is only in his early twenties, so he can be regarded as young and promising.

However, as he was born in a noble family, he naturally inherited the title. He has nothing to do every day and only works in the bodyguard department, which can be said to be relaxed and free.

Princess Huaining gave birth to a son the year before last, and a daughter last year, which added a lot of joy to the entire princess mansion.Husband and wife are also harmonious.

Of course, the reason for the harmonious relationship between the husband and wife is naturally that the Princess Mansion is different from the previous dynasty.

To put it simply, in the princess mansion, there are no nanny, aunt or the like sent by the royal family, the son-in-law and the princess can make the decisions.

This is much better than in the previous dynasty, when the son-in-law and the princess had to make a report to make out.

Throughout the dynasties, the son-in-laws of the Tang and Ming dynasties were all unlucky.

The same is true, what the concubines of the Ming Dynasty most hoped for was the early death of the princess, and then they could take concubines as they wished and have a relationship with the royal family.

"Princess." Chen Muning came slowly, looked at the princess who was putting the child to sleep, and couldn't help but whispered.

"what happened?"

Princess Huaining put the child down, then got up, her pretty face was full of doubts.

As a princess, she naturally inherited the excellent genes of the emperor and mother concubine, with beautiful eyebrows and a melon-shaped face. Although she is not top-notch, she is still a great beauty.

More importantly, she has received cultural education since she was a child, and has a milder personality, with rationality in the majority, which makes the family relationship more harmonious.

Chen Muning is also willing to discuss important matters with the princess.

He withdrew the staff, and then said: "I heard that the Ministry of Internal Affairs is planning to set up a company?"

"Company? What is this?"

Princess Huaining was puzzled.

"It seems to be a chamber of commerce, following the example of Xiyi. It is responsible for some overseas business. I heard that it will make a lot of money."

Chen Muning was full of expectation.

"Not necessarily." Princess Huaining said softly: "The overseas situation is complicated, even if it is a chamber of commerce, it may not be able to make a profit."

"Besides, didn't we invest money on the rails before? Do you have any money left at home?"

The two railway tracks of the Jingtong Line and the Jingbao Line are led by the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and nobles and imperial merchants selectively invest money.

Since the railway track is destined to be a profitable project, the amount of money invested by each family is not much, and one piece is only 5000 yuan.

But relying on the status of Princess Huaining, their family directly bought two copies for 1 yuan.

Two railway lines, invested 2 yuan.

This sum of money hurt the Princess House, but they didn't panic at all.

Fuguo's mansion can steal money, no matter how poor the princess is to act like a baby to the emperor, she can still get rich. The huge princess mansion can never die of poverty.

Chen Muning said to himself: "Didn't the family divide the three thousand acres of Zhuangzi before? Let's mortgage the land and we will have money."

"Can't you recover in two years?"

As a powerful family, even if the land of the Princess Mansion is mortgaged, there will not be much interest in it, and it will not be occupied.

This is equivalent to low-interest borrowing.

"Dignified son-in-law, do you still need to mortgage?"

Princess Huaining teased: "Forget it, let's go to the Shaanxi Merchants Bank to borrow some money!"

Chen Muning smiled wryly, "It has to be a princess!"

Shaanxi merchants have been the emperor's help from the very beginning.Then it jumped up and became a well-known chamber of commerce in the country.

Naturally, he still upholds the tradition of flattering the royal family, as long as the princess speaks, she can reach ten sons-in-law.

Unsecured loans are not worth mentioning at all.

No interest is even required.

The couple discussed family matters.

The money in the princess mansion is the private money of the couple, which is used for their daily needs.

However, the title and property of the Duke's Mansion can only be regarded as public property, and it is still controlled by the Duke of Fuguo, and the next monthly payment is nothing more than that.

After Chen Mu Ning Shang Princess, the Chen family and the royal family gave a lot of real estate and money to support the young couple's life, which can be described as leisurely.

"Zhuangzi, the shops are all at the top, it seems that you really want to have a hand in the company, you did nothing wrong, son-in-law."

Princess Huaining frowned.

In the city of Beijing, no matter how big an official is, he will get as much profit as possible. Once the limit is exceeded, there will be conflicts and conflicts. This is an unspoken rule.

Don't look at Princess Huaining as the emperor's daughter, but she still has to abide by the rules, because it is for the sake of future generations.

Who knows what will happen to the next emperor?

According to the usual practice, a son-in-law is equivalent to an earl, and what he occupies is the earl's share, and his monthly income can only be 4000 yuan.

Of course, the princess's food is her own money, which is equivalent to a dowry, and it is not included in the public property at all, and the food is issued once a year, and it can only quench her thirst.

"How about borrowing 5000 yuan?" Princess Huaining said, "Just wait until the next year's food is settled, and then we can make up some more."

"Not enough." Chen Muning said in a low voice: "I heard that this company specializes in copper mines, gold mines, and even guns, and can make a lot of money."

"There is news from the Ministry of Internal Affairs that counting 1 shares, [-] yuan per share, if you make money in the future, you will be paid dividends according to the shares."

"What?" Princess Huaining was shocked: "5000 million?"

"Is this selling a province?"

"So, at least we have to gather a share."

Chen Muning said solemnly: "It's best to buy two shares. There is no limit to this share, first come, first served."

"Those imperial merchants and salt merchants have plenty of money. They are so happy."

"How much is released by the Ministry of Internal Affairs?"

At this moment, Princess Huaining calmed down.

"Two thousand shares." Chen Muning said with emotion: "The Ministry of Internal Affairs keeps [-]%, saying that this is the profit of the royal family, which must account for the majority."

"It really makes a lot of money if you don't keep it all."

Princess Huaining frowned and thought.

Such a large amount of money can be seen as being done by the emperor himself, so there is a great chance of making money.

For the sake of future generations, it is not a disadvantage to buy it.

Besides, as the emperor's daughter, if she loses money and acts like a spoiled child, she can get some money back!
Just when the couple were about to make a decision, they suddenly heard rumors that it was Princess Yongqing and her son-in-law who were visiting.

Princess Yongqing is the queen's first daughter, the second eldest, married to Li Shouzhuo, the eldest son of An Guogong Li Jizu.

Princess Huaining and Princess Yongqing are about the same age, and they have no succession to the throne, so they have a harmonious relationship since childhood, and the relationship between sisters is very good.

Compared with Princess Yongqing, she was smaller and fairer, she was generous and courteous, graceful and luxurious, and she looked like a nobleman at first glance.

Li Shouzhuo and his father Li Jizu look like four or five images, with slightly dark skin and a well-proportioned body shape. As a son-in-law captain, he is considered qualified.

However, compared to Chen Muning, Li Shouzhuo's character is weaker, and everything is decided by the princess.

So the two princesses sat on the throne, and the two sons-in-law went to the left and right hands.

"Sister, this time I'm here to talk about that company."

Princess Yongqing said crisply: "I heard that the Ministry of Internal Affairs set up a company with 5000 million yuan to go overseas for gold mining. I don't know if it is true or not."

"We can't bother Father Emperor because of this matter."

"Sister, we just found out about this." Princess Huaining laughed.

"Then sister, is she going to buy it?" Yong Qing hurriedly asked, "I don't know what to do, so I want to ask my sister."

"Buy." After a moment of hesitation, Princess Huaining said decisively: "After all, this is the regulation of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, so it is impossible to lose money!"

"Furthermore, you can't make money if you keep money at home. If you don't do it well, it will be spent indiscriminately. It's better to invest it. After this village, there will be no such shop."

"We don't think about ourselves, we have to think about our children and grandchildren!"

Princess Yongqing frowned, lost in thought.

The son-in-law Li Shouzhuo was silent, waiting for the princess to make up her mind.

Chen Muning said cautiously: "Princess, do you want to enter the palace?"

Princess Yongqing glanced at him and said a word.

The meaning of this sentence is very clear, let her ask the queen.

As the mother of a country, although the queen cannot directly control the Ministry of Internal Affairs, she has great influence, and the details are naturally clearer than others.

As the queen's daughter, Princess Yongqing is very suitable to ask the queen.

"Sister really wants to buy it?"

"I really want to buy it."

Seeing Princess Huaining's decisive look, Yongqing sighed: "It seems that I really have to go to the palace, I can't let my sister lose money."

After saying that, he left in a hurry.

Li Shouzhuo, the captain-in-law who followed behind, didn't say a few words for such a long time.

"Consort Li is too afraid of guilt."

Chen Muning shook his head and sighed.

"You are not afraid?" Princess Huaining asked with a slanted smile.

"I mean respect." Chen Muning said decisively.

(End of this chapter)