Hongwu Survival Guide

Chapter 43 Gifts
It was early in the morning when I got up early, and it was more than nine o'clock in the morning.

Zhu Yuan was a little thankful for his frailty. Even though he had a lot of third grades on his body, no one came to inform him that he was going to the morning court. Perhaps Lao Zhu also understood that his precious 23rd generation grandson could not stand such a toss.

Sit in the dining room of the west wing.

The atmosphere is a bit weird, mainly because the three girls are freehand to Qingniang.

Seeing Qingniang crying yesterday, Zhu Yuan ordered the servant girl to help her into his room first, and then Qingniang refused to leave until after Zhu Yuan took a nap.

Obviously, no matter how enlightened a woman is, she doesn't lack her own thoughts.

At that time Zhu Yuan was carried to the bedroom by Luo Shui and was already in a daze. He didn't have any thoughts, and felt that the people around him were in the way, so he kicked outside.However, just waking up from a nap, it seems that all the women around me feel that everything is different.

This mentality...

While eating breakfast, Zhu Yuan didn't raise his head when he saw Xieyi and Liubai's hesitation to speak, and said, "Speak up if you have something to say, what if you hurt me by looking around?"

The two girls looked at each other, and said expressively: "As for the money of the An family, father and all the uncles discussed it, and it is definitely not acceptable. The little official saved everyone's life, and there is nothing to repay. I only hope to serve the little official in the future. .”

This is entangled, why not send 100 taels of silver to each family.

After all, why do I need so many people?
Shaking his head, Zhu Yuan said: "The money is still paid, the family is settled first, and the rest will be discussed later."

Xieyi was about to speak again, but Liu Bai had already answered: "Little officials, each family can give ten taels. The total of 3000 taels is too much. Our family..."

Leaving halfway through, he stopped again.

Freehand brushwork followed by saying yes.

Zhu Yuan came to his senses and said with a smile: "Yes, our family is not as rich as a salt merchant. However, last time our ancestors gave me 1000 taels of gold, and 3000 taels of silver is still available."

After confirming his identity, Lao Zhu gave Zhu Yuan another big reward.

Zhu Yuan, a fertile land with a total of more than 1 mu, was returned twice, and the rest were kept. It was only gold, silver and copper coins, converted into silver, and the family had no less than 2 taels, let alone other colorful satins and silks. It is hard currency that can be used as money.

Xieyi grabbed the opening this time, lowered her eyes slightly and said in a firm tone: "Since the little official has let the servant be the housekeeper, the slave will only give ten taels." She said and glanced to the side: "Or, the little official asked Qing Niang to act as the housekeeper. Slave is fine."

Zhu Yuan didn't bother to argue about this: "Anyway, it's your family, you can figure it out yourself."

After saying this, there was a moment of silence, and then Xie Yi continued: "Also, little official, brother slave want to ask for an errand?"

Xieyi's elder brother is the tall man who still had his arms crossed yesterday.

Zhu Yuan already knew that his name was Qiao An.

Nodding slightly, Zhu Yuan asked, "What did he do before, was he a soldier?"

Xie Yi was a bit cautious, and did not dare to hide it: "The slave family used to be the servants of the Wang family in Yizhou, and the elder brother served over a hundred households under Wang Xuan's account."

Zhu Yuan drank lotus seed porridge and said, "Then come to me and be a soldier."

It's not a big deal for a third-rank Mingzhou Guard commander to accept a personal soldier.

But Xie Yi did not agree, but whispered: "Brother wants to earn some military merits."

Zhu Yuan looked up.

Without waiting for Zhu Yuan to ask, Xie Yi said again: "Brother already has two sons and a daughter, he is not afraid of death, he just wants to give the children a good birth."

Zhu Yuan nodded: "It's better to come to my side first to be a personal soldier, and I will send him if there is something to do."

Freehand then nodded.

Zhu Yuan thought again: "Has your father ever read?"

Listening to Qiao Wang's speech yesterday, he didn't look like a white man with black eyes.

He wrote: "Father has managed Zhuangzi for the Wang family and knows some words."

"It's just right," Zhu Yuan said, "Zhi Yongzhai is short of an accountant. I originally wanted Lu Yu to be in charge of it myself, and add your father. It just so happens that the duties and powers are separated. Today, you take the time to teach him my previous accounting methods."

Lu Yu is the shopkeeper of Zhiyongzhai confirmed by Zhu Yuan, and also the head of the Lu family, one of the six craftsmen that Lao Zhu gave to Zhu Yuan. He is good at making bronze wares, and the key is literacy.

Hearing Zhu Yuan's words, Xieyi looked happy, lowered her body, and halfway through the movement, she turned into a deep blessing.

Zhu Yuan ignored these small details, and said to Xieyi: "However, for the time being, I can only give your father a salary, let's count it as five pennies per month. He doesn't have the two cents that he promised to the six families. Say it again."

These days, Zhu Yuan reached an agreement with six craftsmen. In addition to the basic salary, each family can also get two cents of Zhiyongzhai’s future net profit as a dividend. %.

Zhu Yuan doesn't think there are many, after all, the main tasks are being done by the six companies, but we must also consider future expansion, and don't give more, otherwise it will be difficult in the future.

Moreover, it is only the dividend right, not the equity.

The six craftsmen didn't really believe in such a good thing. After all, the status of craftsmen in this era was not much different from that of slaves. It was already lenient for the master to pay wages, and even gave dividends...

Never seen this.

Zhu Yuan didn't bother, he simply made a contract and signed it solemnly.

There has always been an obligation when there is a right. The obligation of Liujia is to ensure that the craftsmanship of the pen is not leaked as much as possible while engaged in production and operation.Of course, it is not the pen itself, but those small methods that are not easy to be imitated, such as the lacquer mentioned by Zhu Yuan and Lao Zhu, and the ink making method of the matching pen, etc.

Xieyi knew that Lu Yu, as the shopkeeper, also had to manage things. The monthly salary was eight guan, while the other five family heads were all five guan.However, after thinking about it, he gave another blessing: "I thank the little official on my father's behalf."

Zhu Yuan did not forget the other girl: "What about you?"

Liu Bai didn't talk about his own affairs right away, but said: "I have been thinking recently, can I not go to Mingzhou, a small official?"

"No, and it has to be in advance. I will go to the palace to talk to my ancestors later, and I will leave tomorrow." Zhu Yuan said, seeing Liu Bai's expression sad, and added: "Many people in Shandong are starving, I can travel one day earlier." When the food passes by, many people can be saved.”

Liu Bai narrowed his eyes, but insisted: "I just want the little officials to be good."

Zhu Yuan smiled: "Then think about it in your heart."

Seeing that Zhu Yuan said that he was going to leave tomorrow, Xieyi had always been reluctant to mention a certain question, and now he had to ask: "Young officials, how many slaves, can we go together?"

When these words came out, the four women around the dining table looked over without blinking.

Zhu Yuan said simply: "Go, after all, it will take a few months, and I can't do without you helping me write books and paint."

It's not an expedition, and besides his body, he can't live without people around him. Even if Lao Zhu knew about it, he would definitely not say anything.

The four women, big and small, immediately showed joyful expressions.

Zhu Yuan looked at Liu Bai again: "Is there any more?"

Liu Bai paused, and said expectantly, "I want my younger brother to be a school boy for a small official."

Liu Bai's surname is Sang, and I already knew that Nizi also has a nickname that Zhu Yuan thinks is quite cute, called Xiaomi.

Sang Xiaomi.

No official daimyo.

On the other hand, Liu Bai's 11-year-old younger brother has a good name, which he only found out yesterday, and the single name has the word 'dysprosium'.Together, Sang Di, homophonic 'injury to the enemy'.If it is placed in later generations, it will still be very foreign, with the same English name as 'Sandy'.

Zhu Yuan thought, but shook his head: "I don't want male bookboys, in fact you are my bookboys." Saying this, seeing Liu Bai's disappointed expression, he said again: "Let your brother study hard and become an official in the future." , is it better than being a book boy for me?"

Liu Bai hangs his head and doesn't speak.

Zhu Yuan didn't let go, and continued: "The medical school will open an enlightenment school, select someone to use, and let him study there first. Of course, we don't want to be doctors. We will think about it later, such as entering Guozi school."

Leave blank or not speak.

Zhu Yuan didn't disagree with this girl, and turned to the other two girls: "What's the matter, please tell me before you leave?"

Luo Shui shook his head.

Qing Niang grabbed a handkerchief and whispered: "The slave family..."

Zhu Yuan read Qing Niang's family letter yesterday, and knew that according to what the woman said, her elder brother who loved her the most died when he was dragged to build the city wall, and other family members were almost driven to the north because of Yuan Ting's clearing strategy. The people arrived ahead of time, and now they have crossed the Yellow River and are on their way to Jinling.

After thinking for a while, Zhu Yuan said: "There must be a lot of people. You said that your two younger brothers have both studied and left a letter asking them to transfer to Mingzhou to help me with work. The others will come to Jinling first to settle down. .”

Qing Niang responded, and blessed her gratefully.

We had breakfast here and dealt with some housework. At the end of the day, a maid came to report that Zhao Xu was waiting outside the inner house for a guest.

After Zhu Yuan drank the last mouthful of porridge, he got up and went out.

Xieyi followed in time, but Liu Bai did not follow this time, but was a little anxious thinking about going to Mingzhou.

There is the sea over there.

When he was in Yizhou earlier, Liu Bai heard his lady talk about the Wang family's maritime business. When the ship capsized, everyone disappeared.

just in case……

Thinking of this, Liu Bai suddenly remembered something, and turned his head to the west of the yard.

On the other side, it was Fang Li who came.

The new Ying Haisi doctor who just came to see Zhu Yuan, the Shangguan, said yesterday that he was here to take orders from the Shangguan, but just after Zhu Yuan left the inner courtyard, Zhao Xu handed over a gift list.

Zhu Yuan opened his eyes.

Not to mention the other pearls, ivory, tortoiseshell, etc., the opening is fifty ingots of gold.

The banknote unit of the Yuan Dynasty, one ingot is equal to 50 taels.

I think that when I come here, it will not be that the gold and silver ingots of the same size are counted as one ingot, but the same 50 taels.Then, 50 ingots of gold are 2500 taels. At present, Daming has not determined the official price ratio of gold, silver and copper.

Big deal!
Coming to the hall of the main courtyard, Zhu Yuan looked at Fang Li who was prostrating again, and also wanted to understand why the eldest son of Fang Guozhen was like this.

Of the three major separatist forces in the southeast, Zhang Shicheng has no bones left. Chen Youding and his son were also taken to Jinling to be executed recently. Only Fang Guozhen and his family were imprisoned in Jinling by Lao Zhu.

You can imagine the mentality of the Fang family.

The other two were gone, and if Lao Zhu moved his mind and felt that it was not safe to keep one family, the Fang family would be gone in a blink of an eye.

Therefore, this is to ask him to help with the project.

After all, how much a certain worldly expert who "sent 500 years of Guozuo" has been favored by Lao Zhu in recent months can be seen at a glance just by looking at the series of official third-rank official positions on the surface.Not to mention that Lao Zhu, who must be well known, ran to the back lake when he had nothing to do.

If Zhu Yuan is willing to help turn things around, it may be more effective than the left minister Li Shanchang.

When Fang Li got up, Zhu Yuan motioned for him to sit down. Fang Li insisted on standing, and he didn't force himself. He flipped through the gift list again, and went to the palace. ..."

As soon as he opened his mouth, Fang Li knelt down again and said, "My lord, please give the Fang family a few words of kindness. If the Fang family can be preserved, the whole family will never forget the grace of your lord's survival. From now on, we will only rely on orders."

"Get up and talk..." Zhu Yuan said, and waited for Fang Li to stand up again, before continuing: "You see, I have a glamorous appearance, but I also have big goals. I can't accept gifts..."

Fang Li thought that Zhu Yuan was refusing, so he knelt down again.

Zhu Yuan had no choice but to let him kneel down, and continued by himself: "...if I accept this gift, my official may be gone in a blink of an eye, and your Fang family's only way of life will be gone..."

Fang Li finally looked up.

There was no doubt in his eyes, and it was impossible for the Fang family to be so stupid as to completely understand Lao Zhu's intentions.

Asking Fang Li to work at Zhu Yuan's side was an obvious hint.

However, even if they understand, the Fang family still can't feel completely at ease, after all, it's unpredictable.

Zhu Yuan continued: "So, take this gift back. What you have to do is to help me complete this errand as much as possible. This is also the way your ancestors gave your Fang family a way of life. Everyone is happy when things are done. If you can't do it Okay, I'm going back to Jinling in despair, just to make people laugh, but I don't know about your Fang family..."

After hearing Zhu Yuan's words, Fang Li paused again: "The little one will live up to His Majesty's entrustment, and try his best to do things for the adults, even if he dies."

"Since that's the case, go back and prepare. If there is no accident, we will set off tomorrow. In addition to manpower, if you have charts and other materials on your side, try to collect them as much as possible."

Fang Li still didn't get up, and said again: "Your Excellency, please accept those small gifts."

Zhu Yuan said helplessly: "You don't know His Majesty's temperament. What you do is to cut off your Fang family's own way of life, not mine."

Fang Li insisted on refusing to get up.

Of course the Fang family knew what kind of temperament Lao Zhu was, but these days, didn't they still send out a lot of gifts.As for the Zuoxiang family, Mr. Li received the same gift list as Zhu Yuan's side very simply.

Zhu Yuan saw Fang Li's ink marks, thought for a while, and could only say: "Okay, let me give you another idea. I will take care of you as a superior. Your Majesty attaches great importance to this opening of the sea, so that your father can learn more about sea affairs. Please take the time to see Your Majesty, don't talk about anything else, just talk about these things, shipping, maritime merchants, even fishing at sea, you can offer any documents related to the ocean. Besides, you must pay attention One point, don’t pretend to understand, and tell His Majesty when you understand, and don’t talk nonsense if you don’t understand.”

Fang Li raised his head again, this time his doubts were obvious.

Zhu Yuan couldn't explain either.

it's actually really easy.

What is the first article of Hongwu Survival Guide?
The closer the relationship with Lao Zhu, the greater the chance of survival!

Here are not only relatives, but also people around Lao Zhu.

To put it bluntly, it is very similar to a certain officialdom rule in later generations: show your face in front of the leader more often.

Lao Zhu is a little different here.

According to Lao Zhu himself, he was lonely and poor since he was a child, and this kind of person lacks love, so he has a cold and cold side in his character, but he also has a heart of gratitude. When others treat him well, he will give feedback.

In history, not only the Liu family who gave away a piece of Zhu's cemetery was granted the title of Marquis of Yihui, but also the neighbors who were kind to Zhu Yuanzhang when they were young were also rewarded later.

Even in the years when Lao Zhu was wandering, he encountered a persimmon tree when he was hungry, and he was able to eat with the help of a few leftover persimmons beaten by frost. Many years later, he still remembered that when he led the soldiers passing by, he went to visit and took off his coat. The robe was draped on the tree, and a "Ling Shuang Hou" was sealed, and the persimmon tree has had such an nickname since then.

As for the boundary between Lao Zhu's coolness and gratitude, it is whether he can walk to him.

Looking at the thoughtful Fang Li, Zhu Yuan finally said: "That's it. If you don't understand, just do what I say, or don't do it. If you do it, don't add to it, let alone If you make progress, what do you want to recover. This point must be clearly told to your father, if you have peace, you will be a rich man in peace and stability, and don’t expect more. If your Fang family wants to keep their wealth for a long time, you can only continue from your generation. Get started, understand?"

At the end, Zhu Yuan deliberately emphasized his tone.

Fang Li quickly paused again: "I remember it, little one."

Zhu Yuan stood up: "Let's go then, take everything away. I'm going to the palace too, and I'll explain to my ancestors about the day's departure."

Hearing what Zhu Yuan said, Fang Li bowed again in a proper manner before finally getting up.

Because, although he didn't quite understand it, Fang Li could vaguely feel that, compared to the heavy gifts that were sent out like nothing before, this young Shangguan in front of him might have really given the Fang family a great way to survive.

(End of this chapter)