King of Song

Chapter 517

Back in Bianjing, Lin Zhao can also rest for a few days temporarily, the overall situation of Hebei Road has been decided, and Lin Shilang can be regarded as an outstanding contribution.

For this reason, Emperor Zhao Xu was also very sympathetic, and allowed him to rest for three days before entering the palace to meet him, which was considered an honor in disguise.

Although he had three days free, Lin Zhao couldn't rest completely.After all, he is not only Lin Shilang of the imperial court, but also the hope of many people, the soul of Mingyuezong, for him, for the Song Dynasty, and for himself, there are still many things to deal with.

First of all, Gu Yuelun and Yu Xuan reported to him the status of the family business. Over the past few years, the financial strength of Meng's firm has doubled several times.Although it is listed under the name of the Meng family, it is actually a joint business between the Lin and Meng families. It used to be a [-]/[-] shareholding, but something changed after Meng Ruoying married into the Lin family.

Although Mrs. Meng had adopted a child for Meng Ruogu, she was still young after all, so she still needed her aunt Meng Ruoying and uncle to take care of it.Therefore, most of them actually belong to the Lin family. In fact, such a clear distinction does not make much sense in itself, and no one cares about it on weekdays.

Such a method also has the meaning of deceiving people.Otherwise, Lin Shilang's family property is too rich, and it is easy to leave a story for others, and he will find trouble for nothing.

First Meng Ruoying, then Gu Yuelun, the business went smoothly, Lin Zhao was very satisfied with it.Although his current focus is on the court and officialdom, he still attaches great importance to business. After all, doing big things requires huge financial support. Many things require commercial means, which is more convenient and has unexpected effects.

For example, this time, Lin Zhao first ordered Gu Yuelun: "Mobilize all our funds, rush to buy food in Huainan and Jiangnan, and transport it northward to Bianjing, Luoyang and Daming Mansion before Qingming."

Gu Yuelun asked, "What do you need so much food for?"

"Naturally it is useful, and you will know it when the time comes!" Lin Zhao didn't know how to explain it, and it was not convenient for him to explain it.

Although Gu Yuelun was puzzled, since her cousin gave her orders, she would never disobey, so she agreed immediately.After all, they all have a deep understanding of Lin Zhao's precise foresight ability. Cousin must have his reasons, and he will definitely not suffer.

"Yaofu, how will we benefit from the governance of the Yellow River this time?" Lin Zhao was also concerned about this point, and he was not at all polite about earning money from the court, not to mention that he deserved it.

Yu Xuan said with a smile: "We have a monopoly on cement production. Although we have preferential treatment for the imperial court, the repair of the river embankment this year will cost at least millions of dollars. In the future, the entire river section will be completely renovated, and there may be more..." Yu Xuan said with a smile. Xuan himself didn't know how much would be needed to pour the entire Yellow River embankment with cement concrete, and how much would the Lin family benefit from it?

Lin Zhao didn't think too much about it, and just asked directly, "How much money did we get?"

"It happens to be the end of the year, and the third division is doing the settlement. It is estimated that this time we can pay at least 30 guan..." Yu Xuan said with a smile: "The court's tax revenue has increased in the past two years, and the third division has ample cash. It is very refreshing. It will definitely be settled before the new year. clearly."

Lin Zhao just smiled. This may be the effect of Wang Anshi's reform. It is the income from the exploitation of those high-class households and young crops. The increase in fiscal revenue in the short term is certain.It was precisely when Zhao Xu saw this that he thought that the reform was very effective, and that a rich country and a strong army were just around the corner.

But actually?Doing so is undoubtedly drinking poison to quench thirst.On the surface, fiscal revenue has increased and the country has become richer, but the people have become poorer.If things go on like this, the upper-class households will be overwhelmed, and the farmers will gradually go bankrupt. This way of making money, the entire finance of the Song Dynasty may collapse.

Of course, it may not take long, as long as there is a mutation, there may be such results, such as drought or something.It's a pity that both Zhao Xu and Wang Anshi were blinded by this virtual image, and they didn't notice it at all. Maybe they didn't want to wake up from their dreams!
Then let me help you wake up from your dreams!

"That would be the best. What I'm afraid of is the arrears. It's really troublesome to go to the third division to ask for the account!" Lin Zhao smiled, and ordered: "After receiving the money from the third division, immediately deliver it to Yue Lun, and go all out to buy food. Be sure to move to the north before Qingming, if it is too late, it will be too late!"

"Yes!" Although Yu Xuan felt a lot of pressure, he must go all out for what the young master ordered.Anyway, the canal is not frozen this winter, and everything can go smoothly.

Lin Zhao said again: "By the way, besides the current business, I have discovered a new source of income, you should pay attention!"

"Please order, Lord Hou!" Yu Xuan had a deep understanding of Lin Zhao's whimsical ideas, so he was naturally happy and looking forward to it.

Lin Zhaodao: "When I came back, I saw a few porcelain merchants from Yuzhou. Their newly fired Jun porcelain was very exquisite. I brought back a few pieces. You go and have a look. This thing will definitely prosper in the future, you go Find Li Cheng, contact those porcelain merchants, and cooperate with them to build the kiln. They are in charge of firing, we are in charge of sales, or the two companies cooperate... I had a good relationship with him yesterday, so we must be able to talk about cooperation. Go try it!"

"Porcelain business?" Yu Xuan was a little hesitant. Meng's firm was involved in this field before and had no experience at all.And the porcelain business is also risky, I'm afraid...

"Just do it, at least meet those people and see the samples first!" Lin Zhao is very confident about this, since Jun porcelain has been popular since the Song Dynasty.Gold has a price, Jun porcelain is priceless, but there is a saying in this era, and it is naturally not wrong.It's just a coincidence that I just met him.Speaking carefully, I would also like to thank the Princess of Shu!
High-grade porcelain like Jun porcelain is not for ordinary people.It might be a clever way to use porcelain as a medium to end and establish contact with the noble and noble society of the Song Dynasty.

As for the young master's arrangement, Yu Xuan naturally followed orders completely, as long as everything was done step by step, it would be of great benefit to his own development.

Not to mention, some things in business have a subtle effect, but they are very effective.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
After arranging these things, it was already evening, but Li Cheng came back in a hurry.

"My lord, there is news about the Zheng Xia you confessed to!"

Lin Zhao nodded approvingly, Ming Yuezong's efficiency is still very high, and it has been found out so quickly.It is really important to have such an efficient team under him!

"What happened?"

Li Cheng replied: "That Zheng Xia used to be Wang Anshi's student, and he was let go of a foreign post before. He returned to Bianjing this year and wanted to stay in the capital after the assessment. But he offended Wang Xianggong because of criticizing the young crop law, and he was reprimanded for a while. Now the supervisor is coming to the door... This matter is rumored in Bianjing, and almost everyone knows it!"

"En!" Lin Zhao snorted coldly, feeling a little emotional.How similar is Zheng Xia's experience to his own?At the beginning, I also encountered the same situation. Wang Anshi was really stubborn and stubborn, and he dared to speak out. It can be seen that this Zheng Xia still has a heart of justice, unlike some people who only know how to open their eyes and tell nonsense.

If I hadn't been good at eloquence back then, I had made a lot of contributions before, and I happened to have a mission like being an envoy to Hehuang, I am afraid that the situation would not be much better than Zheng Xia.Of course, this shouldn't be Wang Xianggong's handwriting. Even if he doesn't like this student, it's normal to be angry, but he won't humiliate him like this.

Jian'an came to the door, this position is really too humiliating for a Jinshi who has read poetry and books.Most likely it was Wang Yu's handwriting, and this guy lacked a bit of his father's demeanor after all.

"How is Zheng Xia? Are you okay on weekdays?" Lin Zhao asked softly.

"It's not good. Apart from working every day, I just use alcohol to drown my sorrows." Li Chengdao: "It's no wonder that he was a young talent with a bright future in Bianjing before, but now he is extremely depressed and has become a laughing stock. Naturally not happy. Now he goes in and out of taverns and tiles every day, with the intention of indulging..."

"It's not surprising!" Lin Zhao sighed softly. It's a pity that a good young man will be buried because of his different political views. It's a pity that he is full of talent.Zheng Xia was naturally unhappy, so it's not surprising that he drank his sorrows with wine.

"Did he say anything when he was drinking? Was there any swearing?"

Li Cheng shook his head and said: "No, our people went to the wine shop to inquire in detail, and they didn't curse anyone, but Zheng Xia often cried bitterly when he was drunk!" At this point, Li Cheng didn't take it seriously, the man didn't shed tears lightly, What does crying mean?In his opinion, this Zheng Xia was a bit cowardly.

Lin Zhao didn't think so, and said softly: "It's right to cry, it's rare that he has a sincere heart, so his words will be more effective, but it's a little difficult to handle..."

"It's not easy? What do you want to do, young master? Just tell me!" Li Cheng was also curious, why did young master care so much about Zheng Xia?
Lin Zhao pondered for a long time, and said, "Has Zheng Xia studied in Taixue?"

"Yes!"

"Is there anyone in Taixue? If Zheng Xia is a classmate, or is it someone who has contacts?"

Li Cheng nodded and said: "There should be, it's not difficult to find such a person!"

"That's good!" Lin Zhao said: "Find someone to contact Zheng Xia secretly, remember to just drink with him, it's best to become a fellow drinking buddy, and you don't need to do anything else."

"Just drinking?" Li Cheng was slightly puzzled by this.

Lin Zhao nodded and said, "Yes, all you need is to drink with Zheng Xia, listen more, resolve worries, find out his mind, and maintain a good relationship with him..."

"My lord, are you planning to bury a chess piece in advance?" Li Cheng tentatively whispered: "But now Zheng Xia is just a small person, not of much use!"

"The usefulness is not necessarily linked to the position. Although the weight is small, it can weigh a thousand catties. Sometimes the key is the most important thing." Lin Zhao said leisurely: "Just do it, whether it is useful or not, you will know when the time comes."

"Yes!"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It was getting dark, Zheng Xia returned home from the gate of the city, changed into casual clothes and went straight to the wine shop.

Only at this time, after taking off that nondescript official uniform, can he return to his attire as a scholar?But what's the use?If you have an ambition, what if you have talent?Isn't there no place to display it?What's there to talk about with a bunch of big guns at the gates?That was simply a humiliation.

What about the scholar's clothing on board?The more so, Zheng Xia's heart was full of torment.

Wang Xianggong disappointed him a little too much. When he was in Jiangning, he really admired the knowledgeable Wang Zhifu and took him as a role model.It is a great honor for him to have the opportunity to worship under Wang Xueshi. At one time, Zheng Xia was most proud of studying under Wang Anshi, and he agreed with the reform proposed by the teacher. is.

After passing the Jinshi examination and becoming an official, he took it as his own responsibility and decided to follow his teacher to do a great job.But when he got to the place, he gradually discovered that the reform did not seem to be the case, and many places were different from what he had heard and imagined before.The lives of the people have not improved because of this, and the situation is still very bad...

If there is a problem with the reform, Zheng Xia feels that he has an obligation and must tell his teacher about it as soon as possible.Let the mentor come to see what is the problem, whether it should be improved or corrected...

Gradually, Zheng Xia realized that the issue of political reform was no longer a question of improvement and correction, and that something was fundamentally wrong.Just as Lin Dongyang said... When Lin Zhao came back from Hangzhou to refute the Qingmiao Law, he hated Lin Zhao, thinking he was talking nonsense and ungrateful.But after seeing it with his own eyes, Zheng Xia can finally be sure that Lin Zhao is not just nonsense, but something real...

But no matter what, this matter should be told to the teacher.Let him know that from the beginning to the end, Zheng Xia has a sincere heart, whether it is character, loyalty, or respect for the teacher.Telling the truth is what a loyal person should do. When encountering such a situation, the first thing Zheng Xia thinks of is not promotion and wealth, but selfishness...

But he never expected that when he returned to Bianjing and said these words, he would get such a result.Of course, he didn't say it in front of his teacher Wang Anshi, but relayed it through Wang Yu and Lu Huiqing.

The teacher can't listen at all!

He finally realized the obstinacy of Mr. Yi, worthy of the name!If it's just like this, it's fine. If you don't listen to your own opinion, you will be classified as ungrateful, and you will be relegated and insulted like this.Is this what it takes to be disobedient?Zheng Xia's character is too benevolent, he is not sure about Wang Xi's method, he thought, maybe the teacher Wang Xianggong agreed...

This is what makes him sad the most. Is the friendship between teachers and students so worthless?Really... hum!

If it's just like this, it's fine, isn't it just suffering some suffering?He didn't care too much about his future, he could still bear the burden.What makes him sad is always his teacher's attitude. There are problems with the reform. If the teacher keeps going like this, sooner or later there will be problems...

But I have no chance to persuade him anymore, even if I persuade him, what's the use?All Zheng Xia left behind was a cold smile, which made him tremble a little...

At this time, the only way to get a moment of peace is to drink away your sorrows!peaceful?Zheng Xia squeezed out a wry smile, he could only temporarily numb himself with alcohol!
The drunken Zheng Xia drank, his eyes were a little moist, maybe he would cry in the next moment.But at this time, a figure appeared in front of him and shouted, "Brother Jiefu? Is that you?"

Zheng Xia, Zi Jiefu!

I don't know how long it has been since no one has called him by his name, Zheng Xia was not used to it for a moment, and his heart was full of worries.

"Who? Brother Yutian?" Zheng Xia's drunken eyes were hazy, and he couldn't recognize the person coming, so he was a little afraid to confirm!
"it's me!"

The person who came, Xu Rong, named Yu Tian, ​​was Zheng Xia's classmate when he was in Taixue, but there was not much friendship between the two of them, they were just classmates.

"Brother Yu Tian, ​​why are you here?" Zheng Xia asked directly, but also a little rudely.On weekdays, he is considered to be very cautious in his words and deeds, and he is very polite, but under such circumstances, how can he take care of so much?

Fortunately, Xu Rong didn't care, and said with a wry smile, "What else can I do, it's just drinking to drown my sorrows!"

"Oh? Could it be that you and I are both people from the end of the world?" Zheng Xia looked at Xu Rong's figure with a little more kindness.

"Hey, how can I compare with Brother Jiefu...Little brother, I have failed many times in a row, and the imperial examination is hopeless...I am afraid that I am hopeless in my career in this life."

"Don't be melancholy, so what if you pass the exam? If you get a Jinshi, you will have an official career? Will you be able to serve the court?" Zheng Xia smiled coldly, greatly disapproving.

Xu Rong pretended to be puzzled: "Brother Jiefu, why did you say that?"

"Don't you know?" Zheng Xia knew very well that he was already the laughing stock of the entire Bianjing.

Xu Rong hurriedly explained that because of the implementation of the imperial examination, many of him did not go out at home, and the news was blocked.

Zheng Xia took advantage of his drunkenness to tell his tragic experience to this former classmate, and finally found someone to confide in, how could Zheng Xia hold back.Like pouring beans into a bamboo tube, he said all the words at once...

Xu Rong also seemed to be hazy with alcohol, drinking one cup after another with Zheng Xia, but his eyes were always as bright as mirrors, and he remained sober from beginning to end.

Failure in the imperial examination is not a big deal, why would he use alcohol to drown his sorrows over such a thing?This Zheng Xia is a rigid scholar after all!But fortunately, I have had such an experience, otherwise, how could I be favored by the suzerain and do such an errand?
Making friends with Zheng Xia, I thought it would be a bit difficult, but now it seems that it is very easy!As for what to do next, everything just waits for the suzerain to order.

It turned out that Lin Zhao's existence was highly confidential.Not everyone in the Mingyue Sect knows the truth, and those who know the truth are basically the leaders and their loyal servants.Xu Rong belongs to the peripheral forces, he only knows the existence of the suzerain, and he doesn't even know who the suzerain's true identity is.

But he is very loyal, as long as it is the suzerain's confession, naturally there will be no difference!
From then on, when Zheng Xia came to drink, there would always be one more person to accompany him.At the same time, Tianya is a fallen man, and Xu Rong can be regarded as suffering from the same disease, so there is comfort for each other...

Gradually, there were more contacts between the two, and the relationship became much closer...

(End of this chapter)