Emperor Ming Dynasty

Chapter 1026 Using barbarians to control barbarians (seeking monthly ticket)

ps: The battery is out, I just called, sorry

The Francis family was born as an earl. Although they are Spanish, they have stayed in Beijing over the years because of their two daughters and served as ambassadors.

Since they have relations in both countries, their family can be regarded as a continuous line of wealth, and I don't know how much money they have earned.

You don't even need to do business on your own at all, you can make a lot of money just through an intermediary.

However, as a relative of the emperor, the Ministry of Internal Affairs naturally has business, such as importing silver from Spain, chiming clocks, glass, Western paintings, etc., which are the main suppliers.

It is even a monopoly to some extent.

In this way, even if there are not many goods in the two countries, the Silval family can still earn tens of thousands of silver dollars every year.

Such a huge wealth, even if they sell their family's property in Spain, it is difficult to get it, so they have stayed in Beijing all these years.

Aristocrats, how can money be important.

Furthermore, as a relative of the emperor, his status in Beijing is much stronger than that mere earl before him.

Francis looked at the two daughters and the two mixed-race grandsons, and couldn't help but ask, "My daughter, how are you living in the court?"

"I heard that Emperor Ming had dozens of mistresses, have you fallen out of favor?"

Kress was sitting, she was already used to Daming's chair, pinned the corner of her skirt, and said helplessly, "Father, it's not his mistress, but his wife."

"Second only to his wife's wife."

she emphasized.

Nicole on the side also echoed: "The palace is very luxurious, but it's not free."

"However, whether it is food or clothing, it is much better than Spain."

As she spoke, she proudly said: "Even if all of Europe is added together, it cannot match the luxury of the Forbidden City."

However, the entire Francis family is proud of it.

His younger brother William said proudly: "I think it's funny when I think that they eat baked apples, and they don't want to put half of the spices."

"I'm afraid they can't imagine that in Beijing, spices are sold by the pound."

For a while, everyone laughed out loud.

Francis was wearing a cotton robe with exquisite patterns embroidered on it, as if he had become a dignitary in Ming Dynasty: "I can't even imagine going back to Europe."

"Suddenly, Beijing is the most civilized place in the world."

"It's just that there are still some regrets."

Francis sighed.

Kress narrowed her eyes: "Dad?"

"Nobility." Francis said with a stern face: "European countries recognize each other's titles. Nobles are nobles wherever they go, but Ming Dynasty is not."

"The loss allowed the Silval family to stay in Daming for a long time, so they must obtain the title."

"Do you want to send William to the army?"

Sister Nicole was shocked: "Dad, this is not a good idea, it's too dangerous."

William's face also changed drastically.

The East is not like Europe, where there is no preferential treatment for nobles, and there is no redemption. Once they go to the battlefield, they will either die or be injured.

The level of danger is greatly increased.

Moreover, even if he went to the army, he could only start as a low-level officer step by step, and he would not be able to rely on the advantage of the title to become the upper-middle class.

Kress didn't take it seriously: "Relying on our relationship, William can go to the army as a captain."

"If you are really afraid of danger, you can also take the imperial examination and become an official."

Francis frowned when he heard the words: "I heard that Ming is going to attack the Tatars in the north. This is a good opportunity to make contributions."

"The team is afraid that they will not be able to obtain meritorious service?"

"It's hard." Kress sighed, "Dad, give up, there are no shortcuts in Daming."

"There is still a shortcut." At this time, Nicole chuckled.

The family turned their heads quickly, their faces full of curiosity.

Nicole said casually: "In ten years or so, when your grandson grows up, the emperor will enshrine him as a vassal king and have his own vassal state. At that time, it will be a breeze to give William a hereditary title."

"Prince—" Francis was lost in thought.

But William's eyes brightened: "It's not too late to wait for ten years. The title of the vassal state is also recognized in Daming, and you can stay in Beijing for a long time."

In the Ming Dynasty, the fifth-class titles of male princes and uncles were implemented, but in the vassal states, there were county princes, county marquises, county uncles, county sons, and county men, which corresponded to Daming.

But in essence, among the nobles in Beijing, the Duke of the county is just equivalent to the earl, and no one below the Duke of the county will be recognized as an aristocrat, only a nobleman.

Of course, on top of these fifth-class titles, there is also a title of Maharaja.

This is equivalent to the king of the county, which is sealed by the parents and children of the vassal king.

After all, if the vassal king can be canonized as the county king, the entire suzerain-vassal system will be in chaos.

Many kings of foreign vassals are just county kings, and the princes randomly named their parents and children as county kings, and the titles of county kings were flooded immediately.

Referring to North Korea, a monarch is established.

For example, Lord Wu'an in the pre-Qin period was under the king and above the nobles, and he was not granted titles unless he was a prince.

Afterwards, the nobles of the clan followed the old rules, three generals and three lieutenants.

And the rules are naturally inherited from the Ming Dynasty, and have been reduced from generation to generation, just to avoid the proliferation of clans.

After all, Daming has a vast land and rich resources, and it can support hundreds of thousands of clans, but it is difficult for those vassal states to support hundreds of people, so that's the only way.

"The Duke of the county is hereditary. Although the annual salary is a little lower, he can live with the country and has some prestige in the Ming Dynasty."

Nicole said earnestly: "When William inherits your father's title, if you own the title of the feudal kingdom, then you will be the title of the two countries, very prestigious."

Francis fell into a state of mind, he ignored his son's excitement, and said after a long silence: "It's still too long."

"Is there any good way?"

William was disappointed.

"Then there is only one way."

Kress felt a little disappointed in her heart.

Although her son is not very old, she has already begun to prepare for his future.

Although Jiufan has the support of the imperial court, it is far from enough, and needs the support of those mother clans.

Like the king of Liao, his grandfather was the governor of Chahar at that time, so he could directly recruit Mongolian soldiers and horses and select the elite, which saved a lot of effort.

This is something that no prince can envy.

If the Silval family supports their son with all their strength, the road ahead will be smoother.

"Let's go to Luzon!"

Kress said softly: "There are quite a few Spaniards in Luzon. They form villages and accept the jurisdiction of the court."

"William is a nobleman and a Spaniard, so he will definitely be able to assist the Governor's Mansion to run it well."

"Besides, whether it's eradicating pirates or eradicating those natives, they all have made meritorious deeds,"

"That's not bad."

Obviously, Francis was tempted.

This is an opportunity for their family.

"What's this called? Use barbarians to control barbarians." William was overjoyed and clapped his hands.

"Don't talk nonsense."

Kress and Nicole glared at him.

Yi is not a good word.

Going home for a while has laid the foundation for the future of the Silval family.

The weather in Beijing is getting colder and colder. The first snow after winter falls at night, and the Shoushan District at the foot of the sky immediately turns into a world covered in white.

The white snow scene between the sky and the earth attracts literati and poets to recite poems and write poems, although it is a momentary pleasure, but for the common people, there is not so much poetic and picturesque flavor.

Xishan, the coal field.

The colder Beijing is, the busier the business here is.

With the increase of population, the scale of Xishan Coal Mine continued to expand, and now there are dozens of large and small mines, with 5000 to [-] miners working every day, and no fewer than [-] to [-] mule carts running around.

Even the toughest roads can turn to mud as the snow is trampled on.

"Hey, this official path is becoming more and more difficult."

"It's better to call it a dirt road."

Liao Sheng was wearing a black padded jacket, which was still mended. He was driving the car and walked on the official road with difficulty, and he couldn't help complaining.

There were two big men standing behind him, and they all agreed after hearing the words.

"Brother, when will this road not be repaired? Let's go faster and bring the coal back!"

The three hurriedly quickened their pace and finally found the post before dark, instantly overjoyed.

This inn is huge in scale, only a hundred steps away from the official road, connected to it by a wide road, covered with stones and straw, making it easy to travel.

Compared with it, it is more like the official way.

The post station was brightly lit, and there were no less than a dozen large and small guises. They were basically inns and restaurants, and there were also many small restaurants and stalls. They were open despite the severe cold, and it was very lively.

Every thirty miles, the imperial court will build a post station near the official road.

In other words, they walked for more than half a day and only traveled thirty miles.

And from Beijing to Xishan, there are sixty miles.

"Brother, this inn is so lively."

A big stupid man smiled and said: "There is also the Kunyuan, I don't know if it is expensive or not."

"Fart, look at the lantern, it's more expensive than our net worth, I'm afraid we'll lose everything if we go there overnight."

Liao Sheng gritted his teeth, turned his head resolutely, and led the two brothers to the deepest point.

He vowed in his heart that he must come once after this business trip is over.

Finally, the three of them found a slightly dilapidated inn in the deepest part, and there were no shortage of rooms.

"Tongpu is ten cents a night. If the guest officer wants to book a three-person room to live together, one cent will be enough."

Xiao'er said softly: "However, if you live in Datong shop, there is no horse feed, and the single room comes with horse feed, and you can also have a hot bath!"

Liao Sheng was caught in a tangle.

One silver dollar is equal to ten cents, that is to say, one cent is one hundred pennies, which is too high.

The Datong bunk is extremely long, sleeping more than a dozen people, the worn-out quilts are smelly, people are crowded by everyone, and there is not even a room to turn around.

More importantly, the security is extremely poor.

He touched the money pouch in his pocket and had to choose a single room.

With money on his back, it is the capital of his business on this trip, so he can't be negligent.

The three of them entered the private room, and it was really different.

A big kang, a table, three chairs, and three half-old quilts, at least no fleas can be seen.

The kang has already gone to low heat, and when it is lit a little, it will ignite, and the room will be warmed up in an instant.

"Brother, why are there so many inns in this station?" The two younger brothers looked puzzled.

As ordinary people, they were able to live in the post station. This is really too exaggerated and completely unexpected.

"Although there is a postman in the post station, he only manages to live on his own one-acre three-point land."

Liao Sheng said casually: "Have you seen the dilapidated courtyard in the middle? There is a post station for those officials."

"Ah?" Both of them didn't believe it, they thought it was a stable, it was too broken.

"Three dishes and one soup, the horse will pay for it."

Liao Sheng said softly: "There are not many officials who want to move in if there is little water in the soup. Only those urgent messengers will go in."

"That's why those dignitaries lived in the inn, and the inn is to send rent to the station."

"Yicheng is a fat man. I heard that he can save thousands of yuan a year, and he wouldn't change it even for a county magistrate..."

The two felt inexplicably unbelievable, but they also took it for granted.

"Brother, can we really do it this time?"

"Of course." Liao Sheng gritted his teeth and said, "I've followed that stingy old ghost a few times, and I'm already familiar with it. This time we go to Xishan to transport coal, and it will definitely succeed."

"Don't worry, you're guaranteed to make a lot of money."

There was nothing to say all night, and the three of them drove the mule cart to Xishan before dawn.

After arriving in Xishan, Liao Sheng borrowed resources and was willing to bribe, and finally got a carload of coal.

What the other three were dissatisfied with was that the briquettes were all in dilapidated condition, most of them were pitted and half broken.

It made the three of them furious, but they had no choice but to take away the coal they bought themselves.

Coal is the active party, and they are the passive party. Even if they borrowed these crushed coal, they dare not speak.

"Coal, coal!"

Liao Sheng calmed down and drove the mule cart back to Beijing, not to mention the hardships along the way.

He still didn't give up, and kept selling in the capital.

As a result, there are very few buyers.

The three brothers suffered a great loss and were hit hard.

For a while, there was light snow, so that the whole car was piled up, the black turned into white, and the mule was shivering in the cold in his cotton coat, let alone the three brothers.

Around the corner, the three of them were hiding from the wind and snow, and their morale was extremely low.

Suddenly, a carriage stopped in front of the three of them, and a middle-aged man with a jade face and star eyes stepped down, but his skin was tender and fleshy, and he looked pampered and full of momentum.

He didn't dislike it either. He swept the snow with his hands and saw a large pile of broken briquettes. He couldn't help laughing and said, "You guys are short-sighted, who will buy such coal?"

"What's the price?"

"One piece and two coins." Liao Sheng said weakly.

"Expensive."

The man chuckled and said, "It's winter now, and those who haven't bought coal at this time are basically poor people. You sell it so expensive, who is willing to buy it?"

"A piece of coal on the market costs three pennies. Although my honeycomb briquettes have broken some corners, they are still good coal and resistant to burning."

Liao Sheng retorted.

"You sell crushed coal as whole coal, who will buy it if it doesn't look good?"

The man shook his head: "You might as well smash all these crushed coals into cinders, and then buy them by the catty instead of selling them individually."

"Those who take advantage of it will be happy when the time comes."

Liao Sheng fell into deep thought.

When he turned his head, he saw that the carriage had left and the man was gone.

He gritted his teeth: "Mash them all up for me and sell them by the catty?"

(End of this chapter)