Picturesque Rivers and Mountains in the Red Chamber

Chapter 249 Chapter 4.45 I am not just his Rong'er

Volume Four

4.45 I am not just his Rong'er

"Ahem, let's talk about Xiangbei Province." Zhou Yang was also extremely embarrassed and quickly led the topic away, "My nephew is going to Daye Qianhu Office to take up a post, which belongs to Wuchang Prefecture in Xiangbei Province. Good Queer; I wonder what kind of business Xue Zihao has over there? How strong is Semicolon?"

"Not at all." He stared at the wet marks on the stone table strangely for a few times. Xue Xun, who was confused, ignored it and just asked the servants accompanying him to clean it. "The best business over there is naturally food. As the saying goes, "Huguang is well versed in the world", Wuxi, Wuhu, Jiujiang and Changsha are known as the "Four Rice Markets", and Xiangbei is right in the middle.

Under such unique conditions, if Xue Zihao, which is based in the south of the Yangtze River, wants to do something big, it is tantamount to starting a war with the local big players; since it can't get a big share, why bother?In the entire Huguang area, only Wuchang Prefecture and Changsha Prefecture have branches. They are mainly for sales and cannot do anything major. "

"Brother Zhou, thanks to the continuous expansion of our family's fleet, a large number of goods in the north can be transported quickly through waterways. These two branches have really opened up business." Xue Biao said with a smile, "After all, it used to be possible here There are many merchants in Jiangnan who can provide the goods for sale, but if you can’t do it alone, how can you make big money?”

"That is to say, the family's fleet can arrive quickly?" Zhou Yang immediately grasped the point, "Second uncle has worked hard. From now on, my nephew will guard the world's granary. There is no shortage of money in hand. Armaments can be replenished by water at any time. Soldiers They can be recruited locally, with such a unique condition, if they can’t take the opportunity to do a few big things when they get there, it would be too wasteful!”

"Haha, okay!" , as long as you have enough money, there shouldn’t be many things that can’t be done in this world.”

"Second uncle, thank you!" Zhou Yang smiled and cupped his hands. This rule is basically valid even in modern times, not to mention now. "As long as my nephew can do a few big things and has enough money in his hand, he can do it." Let my mentor, Ning Rong's Second Mansion and even His Highness Yongchang help us speak, and it won't be difficult to get up there."

"That's good!" Xue Xun was even more satisfied.

"Brother Zhou, when I went south to trade with the red-haired people last time, I accidentally discovered a big route for spices in Nanyang!" Seeing that the two of them had finished discussing, Xue Biao excitedly took over the conversation, "Now Most of the spices on the market in the Zhou Dynasty were brought by large foreign merchants, especially the red-haired people.

The younger brother thought that they brought these from home, but he didn’t expect that the largest spice producing area is so close. He only needs to send a fleet and caravan from his family to Luzon, Java, Johor and other places in Southeast Asia to bring back a shipment. Spices are equivalent to bringing back a boatload of silver, which is more money than food!"

"Spice!" Zhou Yang smiled and did not answer, but turned to Xue Xun and said, "What do you think, uncle?"

"Although I have just found out about this, I have had doubts before." Xue Xun sighed helplessly, took a sip from his tea cup and said, "But we can only doubt that even if we don't know this news, there will be no way for us to do anything." There are so many, and no one has ever discovered it? But so far, the only route for this spice is those merchants from the Red-haired Kingdom!"

"Father, you mean-" Xue Biao stood up suddenly in shock, "They all"

"Brother Tao, have you forgotten? I have said it more than once before that Westerners are afraid of power but not moral, and Chinese rules are useless to them." Zhou Yang smiled and did not take it seriously. In modern times, there are still Who doesn’t understand? "With our current strength, it would be great to be able to sell and purchase goods in Nanyang. Grain is the most suitable, with low volume and low profit.

If we start to get involved in the spice business, you will have to deal with these red-haired people at sea on weekdays, right?I can say unceremoniously that even if it is the so-called "old friendship" that you have been trading for more than ten years, you will not hesitate to kill it, because what you are dealing with is not a simple business, but their lifeblood. ! "

"When does Ziyang think we can really get involved in the business in Nanyang?" Xue Xun asked with a smile.

"When will our special warships be able to directly sink the big ships of the Westerners with cannons, when will we really have the confidence to enter the arena." Zhou Yang said lightly, "Relying on the 'infantry artillery' we just mentioned, It really can only scare the pirates, no more."

"You kid, you are obviously only nineteen years old, how did you learn to be so mature?" Grab your swords and guns, otherwise the money in your hand is not only a blessing, but it might be a poison that killed the whole family!"

"Second uncle said it!" Zhou Yang smiled and nodded.

"Okay, let's not talk nonsense." Xue Xun couldn't help but laugh, "I came here this time to explain the business clearly to my sister-in-law, and to send you what you want; I will go and talk to my sister-in-law. , all the goods you asked for have been shipped, and I have prepared twice the quantity, which is considered to be a preliminary loss. It is now parked next to an uninhabited island off the coast of Songjiang. When will you set off to take office? "

"No matter what, we have to wait until the beginning of next month." Zhou Yang replied thoughtfully, "When I take office this time, I won't see you for at least a few months or even a few years. No matter what, it's time." "Okay, I understand." Xue Xun He interrupted him with a smile, "Bao Yatou is unlucky. My eldest brother was only focused on handling business and failed to make good arrangements for the family. If he hadn't asked you to agree to an engagement, but had directly sent Bao Yatou out, now Where are there so many problems to worry about?”

"Second uncle was joking." Zhou Yang couldn't accept this.

It was only after he was appointed an official that he discovered how much the world looked down on "merchants" in today's world. At the various banquets he had attended, someone would propose marriage from time to time. When he was engaged, the phrase "merchant" was basically indispensable. Although Xue Xun said it euphemistically, he still had no confidence in this marriage.

"Hahaha, it's just a joke." Xue Xun just nodded, without any deep meaning, "Okay, after the matter is over, the old man should also go to see the business in Jiangnan; the goods of the two ships at sea, what are you When the time comes, just arrange for someone to come to Songjiang Branch to have a word with you in advance, and I will definitely not miss your thing!"

"Thank you for taking care of me, uncle!" Zhou Yang quickly saluted and thanked them and watched them go out.

At the same time, the Princess Mansion in Beijing was in the back garden.

"This time it's difficult for you, and I know it too." Princess Yongchang smiled and took Li Wan's left hand, and walked side by side in the garden, "You don't have to worry, you can send the news to that cruel person after you go back, and the rest of the matter He will discuss it with me."

"Don't worry, Your Highness, I'll save you." Li Wan was obviously not used to it. He tried to pull his hand away several times but failed, so he had to let her hold him. "Zi Yang is also a sensible person and will understand His Highness's hard work; it's just that This matter of increasing supply cannot be arranged in three or two days with just a few words. The civilian husband must first place an order with Jinmen Snow Brand, and it will take a month to do so."

"It's okay, I can afford to wait." Probably seeing her resistance, Princess Yongchang smiled lightly, held her by her side with her right hand, and found a nearby stone bench to sit down, "Okay, I Yesterday I was kind enough to let you stay for a while, wasn't it just to make it easier for you in Rongguo Mansion? I have also heard about the customs in Rongguo Mansion, and I am used to flattering others and suppressing others.

With my face, what else do you have to worry about?After all, that cruel man's millions of wealth have been handed over to you. From now on, if Jufan needs to come out, he only needs to report his name. Is there anyone in the house who dares to stop him? "

"Your Highness, respect yourself!" Li Wan blushed and tried to break free, but was completely unable to resist the princess who also practiced martial arts. He could only helplessly let a certain delicate hand wreak havoc. "Your Highness should know that there is yin and yang in the world. My wife, How can it be possible that both you and Your Highness are women?"

"Pfft - I'll spare you first!" Princess Yongchang let her go with a smile, "That cruel man made me so embarrassed in the first place, and now that he is gone, why don't I be allowed to cause trouble for her female family members? Besides, the boudoir is The woman among you is dear, and it’s not a shameful thing. He won’t do anything to you if he knows about it.”

"Farewell, my wife!" Li Wan took the opportunity to stand up, and rushed to the garden gate in a hurry, even staggering a little.

Watching Li Wan go out, Princess Yongchang couldn't help but smile, she neither chose to chase after her nor arranged for anyone to stop her.

"Your Highness, what do you want to order?" A familiar female voice came from behind, it was Dongfang Bing who "just went out" during the introduction yesterday, "It was the one from Rongguo Mansion just now."

"The matter is settled?" Princess Yongchang interrupted her lightly.

"My subordinate personally went to Ningguo Mansion last night to inquire, just as His Highness expected." Dongfang Bing immediately bowed and replied, "It's not just the matter between Prince Yizhong and Jia Zhen, but also the eldest young lady."

"I know!" Princess Yongchang said coldly, "This bastard is quite a vegetarian. That girl even wants to call me aunt, huh - after Linqing's affairs have been arranged, you can make arrangements I'm going south to Jinling to take a look. I've received news that there are too many types and quantities of firearms on the boat of the second room of the Xue family."

"Princess, he doesn't like being stared at at home!" Dongfang Bing said hurriedly, "The firearms in the second room of the Xue family can only be seen at least on the boat. Normally, he would not go ashore at all. If he said it like this, it would be exposed. Our eyeliner ended up losing more than we gained."

"I am not only his Rong'er, but also the princess of the Zhou Dynasty." Princess Yongchang interrupted her coldly, "Just tell him directly, and withdraw our people when it's convenient. We can't let them go to waste." Dead; besides, you girl, since you followed him, you have really forgotten your master when you had a man. It is easy for you to serve me unwillingly. I will spare you this time and bring the things prepared in my study. Materials, go ahead!”

"Subordinate—I understand, please rest assured, Your Highness!" Dongfang Bing blushed, bowed with a dignified expression, and slowly exited the garden.

(End of this chapter)