Hongwu Survival Guide

Chapter 152
Today's noon is suitable for going out to sea at low tide at around 12:30 p.m., which is around [-]:[-] noon, Zhu Yuan's customary timekeeping method. Zhu Yuan came outside the city and sent off the group of soldiers from the camp Triton together with the naval governor Hua Gao. Commander Zhang Yi was in charge of escorting the grain ship, and it was past one o'clock in the afternoon.

He Xuan sent the lunch to the pier and invited Huagao to have lunch together before Zhu Yuan returned to the city in a sedan chair.

Just after arriving home, another servant in the mansion reminded that the ancient rich man from Zhangzhou, Fujian had been waiting for a long time, remembering what he promised last night, he ordered him to be taken to Mingxin Hall in the garden.

When He Xuan came in with a thin-faced and short-bearded middle-aged man in his 40s, Zhu Yuan was looking at a map in the tea room on the west side of Mingxin Hall.

Zhangzhou, whether it is now or later, does not seem to have such a strong sense of existence. What is more interesting may be its two neighbors. Quanzhou is to the north, where the current Fujian Yinghai Branch and Quanzhou Bosi Yamen are located, and the south is the The famous Chaozhou.

"Gu Zhongren, Zhangpu County, Zhangzhou, pay homage to Mr. Yinghai Envoy."

It obviously has a local accent and can be understood by people.

"Get up."

Zhu Yuan, who was sitting at the table, glanced at the map again, and found the location of Zhangpu County, which is a county in Linhai, Zhangzhou. He was about to say something, when He Xuan presented him with a gift list.

Zhu Yuan rolled his eyes and said with a smile, "You are smart."

This gift list is not only some local specialties, such as preserved fruit and tea, but also the quantity is not large, each item is within 10 catties.

Gu Zhongren, who had already got up, stood respectfully beside him, nodded and said: "I know adults are clean, but it's not the way to serve guests empty-handed. I hope adults don't dislike some local products."

"Then I'll accept it, and try it tonight," Zhu Yuan handed the gift list back to He Xuan, and then signaled: "You can sit down too."

After receiving the gift list, He Xuan noticed Gu Zhongren's embarrassed expression, knowing that he didn't dare to come forward to sit at the same table with his lord, moved a stool over, brought tea, and then left the room.

Only then did Zhu Yuan realize that meeting guests in the side hall was not quite right, but he had no intention of getting up and going outside. He looked at the map on the table again, and asked directly, "What does your Gu family do?"

Gu Zhongren just brought the tea to his mouth and took a sip. Hearing the words, he quickly put away the cup and replied: "The villain's ancestral home was originally in Zhending Prefecture, Hebei. When the Song Dynasty went south, the family followed all the way to Zhangzhou. From generation to generation, farming and studying have made a living, until now.”

Zhu Yuan keenly grasped the word "gengdu".

In the feudal era, those who could tell the family heirloom of farming and reading were not considered ordinary people.Just like the most famous Zhuge Liang, who said that "the minister was originally a commoner and worked in Nanyang", in fact, even before Zhuge Liang, the Zhuge family was a rich family that had been passed down for hundreds of years. Even if it was not prominent, it was not "commoner" at all.

If Zhu Yuan was a scholar in this era, he would definitely follow Gu Zhongren's words and ask in detail about the deeds of the ancestors of the Gu family, what officials they served, and recall the unbearable period of history back then.

It's a pity that Zhu Yuan is not.

Then he asked, "How much land does the Gu family have in terms of farming and reading?"

This……

Gu Zhongren was obviously taken aback, paused, and said truthfully: "About... more than three thousand and seven hundred hectares."

Zhu Yuan heard that, after a little conversion, the 37000 mu of land is indeed very "cultivated". With a smile, he asked again: "Should there be other industries?"

Gu Zhongren hesitated even more.

However, thinking of his father's confession before leaving Zhangzhou in a hurry, this period of change of dynasty is the most dangerous, and there is another case of Chen Youding in Fujian. Although it has been liquidated once, who knows if there will be a next time? The opportunity for Hu Ji to make friends with the new emperor's close ministers must be seized no matter what.

Gu Zhongren also inquired in advance, this young Yinghai envoy, aside from the rumors of 'sending 500 years of Guozuo', but what he has done in Mingzhou for more than half a year... is really hard to understand .

Just confirm one thing, he is a capable minister.

Even, it is completely worthy of the reputation he spread.

Such a person is obviously more worthy of the Gu family's attachment than the deputy envoy of Yinghai who arrived in Quanzhou a few days ago and whose various thoughts are easily seen through.

Having made up his mind, Gu Zhongren quickly confirmed that he must be completely honest with this person, so he said: "Back to your lord, apart from the fields, the Gu family is also engaged in businesses such as medicinal materials, tea and iron smelting. The latter has been suspended due to the imperial decree. Exit. In addition, the Gu family still has more than [-] boats, large and small, either fishing or doing business, but it is a pity that they missed the opportunity to obtain a maritime trade license, and they are about to convert them all into fishing boats."

After hearing what Gu Zhongren said, Zhu Yuan smiled and said: "It seems that you are not well-informed. I'm afraid you can't do this fishing business. I just asked them to write a ban in the morning. In the future, the people will not be allowed to engage in it without authorization." Sea catch."

Gu Zhongren, who was originally prudent, obviously didn't expect it, and couldn't help but let out an 'ah—'.

The imperial court prohibited private mining without authorization, and the Gu family’s lucrative iron smelting business had been forced to stop. The Yinghai Division started the maritime trade license mechanism. Because of waiting and watching, the Gu family, who failed to make a move immediately, also lost this business.

Originally, after learning about the details of sea fishing in Mingzhou, I planned to use my own boats to start a fishing business, but I never expected... Here, it's gone again!

Zhu Yuan glanced at Gu Zhongren's expression, and he could probably imagine how many big households have lost their financial resources because of his various proposals, not only along the coast, but also in various places in Ming Dynasty.

Picking up the charcoal pen on the table, Zhu Yuan traced outwards along Zhangzhou. One line extended to the big island in the east, and the other line went south. He spoke again on his own initiative, and asked: "The imperial court is about to conduct the imperial examination. , Did the Gu family pick a child to go to Jinling to take the exam?"

Gu Zhongren was in a trance, and when he heard the words, he cheered up quickly, shook his head and said: "My lord, the Gu family... never."

This was also decided by the patriarch's father, who believed that the new dynasty was just established, and the Gu family was not suitable to stand out.

Zhu Yuan said: "The specific date has not yet been determined, but the imperial examination must be held this month. If your ancient family has been farming and studying for generations, you can pick some young offspring and send them to Jinling as soon as possible."

Gu Zhongren pondered for a while, and suddenly realized something, and couldn't hide his excitement: "My lord, then... can the Gu family get some recommendations from you?"

Inquired in advance.

The threshold for this imperial examination seems to be very low, and only a recommendation document issued by a local official is required.

Zhu Yuan shook his head: "I'm not suitable."

The anticipation that Gu Zhongren had just raised suddenly cooled down.

Zhu Yuan glanced at him again, and said: "No accident, I may be the examiner, at least one of them, if I come to recommend, in order to avoid suspicion, no matter how outstanding your Gu family is, I will not accept you."

Gu Zhongren was a little surprised again.

The young man in front of him...even if he has a great reputation, how can he be the main examiner of the imperial examination at this age with at most curly hair?
However, Gu Zhongren quickly regained his senses.

The future chief examiner asked the Gu family to send their children to take the exam... This hint... No, it's all express!

Thinking about this, Gu Zhongren's hand holding the teacup trembled a little, wondering if he should get up immediately and prostrate again.

Zhu Yuan has already waved his hand: "Don't think too much, I'm telling you this because the imperial court is really in the midst of employing people, not only your ancient family, but other clans in Zhangzhou, you can also help talk about it."

Gu Zhongren nodded immediately.

But, how could it be possible not to think so much? !

Zhu Yuan thought for a while, and then said: "To tell you the truth, many of the Gu family's business was cut off because of my proposal, and you will definitely know about it after a long time. Waiting, there will definitely be more opportunities in the future. The heritage of the ancient family is here, if you can be loyal to the imperial court and devote yourself to it, it is not impossible to become prominent in the future."

After hearing this, Gu Zhongren couldn't hold back anymore, carefully put the tea bowl on the side table, bowed down and bowed down: "Zhongren would like to listen to my lord's instruction."

Instinctively dropped a pawn, Zhu Yuan didn't think too much about it for the time being, and signaled Gu Zhongren to get up again, thought for a while, and said: "Just now, you mentioned that your family also has a medicinal material business?"

Gu Zhongren nodded.

Zhu Yuan said: "In this regard, you can pay more attention."

Gu Zhongren didn't understand why Zhu Yuan said this, so he quickly agreed and kept it firmly in his heart.

The two talked some more, and when they were tired, Zhu Yuan sent Gu Zhongren away.

He Xuan called the maid to come over with her shoulders, Zhu Yuan gave an explanation, and turned to the courtyard where Minglun Hall was again.

When the shoulders were put down, the couple of Xieyi were already waiting.

There was no one in the yard, but around the doors and windows, one by one looked around, eager to see through.

Zhu Yuan scanned around and pointed to two of them: "Come."

Li Qingzhao's "Slow Voice" was broken down into more than 20 names by Zhu Yuan, and the first two were pointed at the moment, 'Xun Xun' and 'Mi Mi'. Two female slaves sent by Lumos merchant Ibu Cinawulo.

I have to say that although the meeting between the businessman and Zhu Yuan was not pleasant, he was really resilient. Hearing that there were Hu girls here, he took the initiative to send them over.

Of course, Zhu Yuan didn't ask for it in vain as usual.

In fact, I also understand that here, according to the market price, there is a high probability that there will be less, and some...maybe a lot less, but as long as the name is beyond reproach, the details don't matter.

Zhu Yuan didn't want to be a blank sheet of paper.

Two petite girls with brown hair and brown eyes but high nose and deep eyes quickly walked over, and followed Zhu Yuan to the bedroom in the east room of Minglun Hall. No one needed to speak, and when Zhu Yuan sat down by the bed, he knelt on the ground to help his family. The master takes off his shoes.

Xieyi glared at the blank space on the other side who was about to pout, and said to Zhu Yuan: "Little official, the pick-up person has arrived in the morning, do you want to take a look?"

Remembering that it was Caisang's sister, Zhu Yuan nodded.

Waiting for Xieyi to call for someone, Zhu Yuan grabbed the chin of a girl at her feet, lifted it up to appreciate it, and asked Liu Bai: "Are the Wutong clothes ready?"

Sister Xiyi was not there, so Liu Bai pouted a little, but still said: "I'm working on it, boots... I need to find a craftsman outside."

"Hurry up, I'm quite looking forward to it," Zhu Yuan said, thinking of another thing, "Their identity badges can be combined with Chinese and Western. You two, um, what's your name?"

The two little girls who were as old as Caisang and the others arrived a few days earlier than Wutong and the others, but they still couldn't understand Chinese, and felt as if they were talking about themselves, so they just raised their heads and winked at Zhu Yuan flatteringly.

Seeing that his petty officials were stuck, Liu Bai didn't want to answer, so he said, "Duliya and Sara."

"Yes," Zhu Yuan nodded and said, "It's Du Liya Xunxun and Sarah Mimi."

Inverted……

Lu Bai didn't speak again this time.

Anyway, if you are not familiar with these two Hu girls, you will not be able to tell which one is Xun Xun and which is Xun Xun.

Waiting for the two little girls to help the little officials take off their shoes, Liu Bai took the initiative to step forward to help Zhu Yuan take off his coat, and muttered: "Young officials, do you want them to take a nap with you?"

Zhu Yuan raised his hand and gave the girl who was full of sour smell lightly a note, but unfortunately he was dressed in thick clothes in autumn, so he couldn't feel it, so he could only say: "Don't let them, you come here."

Liu Bai was happy in his heart, but when he thought of the two bed-warming girls last night, he couldn't help but venomously said: "I can't stand this kind of grace."

"Dare to talk to me like that, it seems that you will have to watch it later."

While talking here, Xieyi brought three women, one big, two young, over here.

One of them is picking mulberry.

The other two...

Ok.

two?

Sitting by the bed, Zhu Yuan watched a woman in her twenties and a girl in her teens kneel down to greet him. When they raised their heads, they compared the mulberry picking standing next to them, and saw that there were obviously some similarities in front of them. There was something wrong with two pretty faces.

Didn't you say one?

However, after thinking about it for a while, Zhu Yuan understood.

Can't help but smile wryly.

The people below... it's not good to be too competent!

Saying that he gestured to the big one: "What's your name?"

The woman bowed her head shyly and said: "My family..." When she said this, she seemed to think of something, hesitated a little, and then said: "...the third in the family, her name is Wu Sanniang."

Zhu Yuan glanced at Nizi next to him.

This should be Si Niang.

Picking mulberries... I don't know if it's Wu Niang?
Moreover, this should be the result of siblings ranking together. If only sisters are counted, Zhu Yuan knows that the younger one next to her should be the second sister Cai Sang said, and the older one is the eldest sister.

Ok.

This is not the point.

Zhu Yuan glanced at Xieyi, then at Caisang, who was obviously starting to show guilt in his small expression, and finally turned to Wu Sanniang again: "It's a mistake, Caisang only said one sister, why are you both here?" ?”

When Wu Sanniang heard the words, surprise flashed across her expression, she turned her head to look at her sister, realized that the situation seemed inappropriate, she turned around again, and said softly, "This... this..."

Zhu Yuan motioned to the girl next to Wu Sanniang: "Tell me, what's going on?"

Wu Siniang was also guilty, and hesitated for a moment, before whispering: "The official came and said that he would pick up... the elder sister of Caisang to the Lord's house. It just so happened that the elder sister was also there."

See it.

Got it wrong.

and……

Looking at the two girls on the ground and next to them, it's true that even my own sister sells it.

Thinking of this, Zhu Yuan smiled, waved his hands and said, "Since you made a mistake, send it back," pointing at Wu Siniang, "Just stay here."

However, after Zhu Yuan finished speaking, Wu Sanniang on the ground did not move.

There was a slight stalemate in the atmosphere, and Zhu Yuan was about to speak again, when Wu Sanniang suddenly murmured: "My lord, slave, I have no time to go back."

(End of this chapter)